What is the UK equivalent of a 3.4 GPA in the US?

Question

I got my undergraduate degree at GW in DC (they operate on a 4.0 scale- nothing weighted, no way to get above a 4.0) and I am now studying in the UK and applying for jobs, but many employers don't accept or understand my GPA. I've been told that it is about a 2:1 equivalent, but I have no idea what that really means.

How would you translate a 3.4 GPA? What does 2:1 mean?

Any other helpful helpful hints/sites you have on turning an American resume into a British CV are welcome!

Answer 1

It's definitely at least the equivalent of a 2:2, probably a 2:1 - depends what the cut off for graduating c.um laude was at GWU. I'd say go for it and write 2:1 equivalent on your CV, the onus is on them to check it and decide if they agree with you!

If you'd like to get an official conversion though, you should visit http://www.naric.org.uk - they'll provide an official assessment of what the UK equivalent of your degree is, it costs about £20.

Just as a point of reference, I graduated with a 3.7 and I have no qualms about describing it as a 1st on my CV! No one's queried it at all though, since I haven't been applying for graduate level positions and I do have A levels and GCSEs that people are familiar with over here.

Answer 2

I'd say the closest of the main parties would be the Liberal Democrats, then Labour, then Conservatives. In reality it's hard to say which party you'd be most likely to support without more information other then your support for the Democrats. You have to bear in mind that our Conservatives are not like your Republicans, they're much less mental. You might even find yourself disappointed that social issues aren't really the battleground they are in the US, the Conservatives have dragged themselves up to date on a lot of issues. Well they were forced to by the electorate anyway. Just make sure you keep on top of the news when you get here, watch some political programs like This Week or Question Time and you'll quickly find yourself better informed than most of the electorate.

Answer 3

Yeah a 3.4 GPA is pretty much the same equivalent to 2.1.

Universities in England grade like so (the best at the top)

1st
2.1.
2.2.
3rd
Pass

if you use Bsc (Bachelor of science) or Bsa (Bachelor of arts), this may be worth mentioning on your CV as employees in the UK will also recognised these.

Answer 4

Hi

I have worked at a uni in England, and your grade is one of the top ones. You have to mention what course you did and your grades in your resume (we call it CV in England).

Some basic information for writing a CV in England:

1. Include your name, address and telephone number on the top.

2. Write a personal statement after this saying what type of person you are (eg - I have stong communications skills, organised, confident, hard working ect) this statement should only be 3 lines max.

3. Career history - wirte down the place of where you working recently (or where you are working) include what the job is/was, the location of the place, the duties you carried out and any extra responsability you may have had. After this write down all the other jobs you have had (in date order, recent first).

4. Qualifications - Write down the recent training and education you have had recently. Starting in date order. Write down the course you did, and what grades you got.

5. Hobbies - write a few statements about what you are interested in, sport, art etc.

Finally .... Referees, names and addesses of two people who can give them a good statement about you.

I hope this has helped.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

First class: 3.6 and above (90%)

Second class( upper division) or 2:1 : btw 3.6 and 2.8 (inclusive) 70% and above

Second class(lower division) or 2:2 : btw 2.8 and 2 (50% and above
and so on
INVARIABILY U VE MADE ABOVE70% THEN U MADE A SECOND CLASS UPPER DIVISION