French Grades to GPA 2026: The Complete Conversion Guide
You’re applying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s abroad and the university asks for your GPA, but your grades are out of 20. Don’t panic: there are clear conversion rules, along with some important subtleties that most students don’t know about. This guide explains exactly how to convert your French grades into a US GPA (4.0 scale) and a UK Honours classification, with the pitfalls to avoid and the universities that do their own conversion.
Converting French grades to a US GPA (4.0 scale)
There is no official, universally recognized formula. There is, however, a de facto standard used by most US admissions officers, with some variation between schools. Here is the most widely accepted conversion table:
| French grade /20 | Mention (high school/university) | US GPA (4.0) | UK Honours | ECTS / European |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17-20 | Très Bien (TB) | 3.8-4.0 | First Class (1st) | A |
| 15-16 | Bien (B) | 3.5-3.7 | Upper Second (2:1) | A / B+ |
| 14 | Bien (low end) | 3.3-3.4 | 2:1 (low) | B |
| 13 | Assez Bien (AB) | 3.0-3.2 | Lower Second (2:2) | B / B- |
| 12 | Assez Bien (low) | 2.7-2.9 | 2:2 | C+ |
| 10-11 | Passable | 2.0-2.6 | Third (3rd) | C |
| 8-9 | Insufficient | 1.5-2.0 | Pass | D / E |
| < 8 | Fail | < 1.5 | Fail | F |
Important: these equivalents are overall averages. They don’t take into account the type of institution (CPGE, public university, private school), the type of course (science vs humanities), or internal grading practices (some universities grade more harshly). For selective applications, the university will apply its own interpretation.
Calculating your cumulative GPA: the weighted method
Official US formula
In the US, your GPA is not simply an average of your grades: it is a weighted average of GPA points × the credits/hours of each course.
In other words: for each course, you multiply the GPA equivalent (3.7 if you scored 16/20) by the number of credits for that course. You add up all these results, then divide by the total number of credits. This way, a 6-credit course carries more weight than a 2-credit course.
A real example: a French student earned the following grades in one semester:
- Economics (6 ECTS): 14/20 → 3.4 GPA
- Mathematics (5 ECTS): 16/20 → 3.7 GPA
- English (3 ECTS): 17/20 → 3.9 GPA
- History (3 ECTS): 12/20 → 2.8 GPA
Compared with the simple arithmetic mean (3.45), the weighted cumulative GPA is 3.12: a significant difference. This weighting is why selective universities ask for a GPA rather than just your average out of 20.
UK Honours: a different system from GPA
The British system does NOT convert French grades into a GPA. Instead, it converts them into Honours classes based on the final cumulative result of the Bachelor’s degree:
- First Class Honours (1st): 70%+ final average ≈ 17/20+ in the French system
- Upper Second Class (2:1): 60-69% ≈ 14-16/20
- Lower Second Class (2:2): 50-59% ≈ 12-14/20
- Third Class (3rd): 40-49% ≈ 10-12/20
- Pass / Fail below that
To apply for a Master’s in the UK, the minimum requirement at most Russell Group universities is a 2:1 (60%+ ≈ 14/20+). For selective programs (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE), a First Class is expected. Unlike GPA, the Honours system doesn’t weight by credits: it’s your overall average that counts.
Credential evaluation services: WES, ECE, IES
For applications to the United States and Canada, many universities require an official evaluation of your French qualification by a third-party organization:
- WES: World Education Services (the most widely used): GPA conversion + degree equivalency. Fee ~205 USD, processing time 7-15 days.
- ECE: Educational Credential Evaluators: an alternative to WES, accepted by most universities. Fee ~155 USD.
- IES: International Education Services: less widely used, but accepted by certain specific universities.
If the university requires one of these evaluations, you do NOT convert your grades yourself: you pay for the evaluation and the organization sends its report directly to the university. YDS recommends always checking first whether the university accepts your own conversion or requires WES/ECE: if it’s the latter, start the process 8 weeks before the deadline, as processing times can be long.
Baccalauréat honours: how to make the most of them in your US/UK application
The Très Bien, Bien and Assez Bien honours are recognized by international admissions offices if you explain them in your letter or through your school counselor. The French bac is generally seen as demanding: a Très Bien (16+) puts a candidate in the top 12% nationally, which is a strong signal. But without context, a raw GPA of 3.8 converted from a 17/20 means nothing to a US admissions officer who thinks in terms of “high honors” / “valedictorian” / “top 5%”.
YDS tip: ask your principal or tutor to mention your class rank or percentile (top X%) in the school report or recommendation letter. This is what puts your honours in context for admissions offices abroad.
CPGE and engineering schools: a special case
Grades earned in preparatory classes (CPGE) are notoriously low in the French system: a 12 in CPGE can be the equivalent of a 16 at a public university. US admissions officers generally know this, but you absolutely must put your grades in context in your personal statement and school report. Mention your CPGE ranking (top X%, placement in the competitive exams), not just your average.
The same goes for French engineering schools: a 12–13 at a school such as Centrale, Polytechnique, Mines or ENSAE is typical of the elite, so a raw GPA equivalent (~3.0–3.2) undersells your profile. Include an explanation of your school’s strict grading system with your application.
Further reading
FAQ: GPA and French grades
What GPA is equivalent to Très Bien honours on the bac?
A Très Bien (an average of 16/20 or higher on the bac) is equivalent to a GPA of about 3.7–4.0. But this raw equivalence doesn’t tell the whole story: a bac with Très Bien puts you in the top 12% nationally, which is a much stronger signal than a 3.7 GPA from an American high school (≈ top 25–30%). Mention your rank or percentile in your personal statement.
My university requires WES: do I have enough time?
WES takes 7–15 days after receiving ALL your documents (transcripts, diplomas, certified translations). If your application deadline is in January, start WES in November. For urgent applications (a Parcoursup rejection, a late application), ECE is faster (5–10 days).
I’m in CPGE with an average of 11/20. Is that really low for the US?
Not in itself: selective US admissions offices know CPGE and Polytechnique. Context is everything: if you are in the top 20% of your MP* class at Louis-le-Grand, say so. If your school counselor confirms your ranking in the recommendation letter, your 11/20 will be read as a 3.5–3.7 GPA from the French elite. Without context, it will be read at face value as 2.6–2.8.
Do Pass/Fail course units count toward your GPA?
In the US, Pass/Fail courses are generally not included in the GPA calculation: they stay on your transcript but carry no weight. In the UK, these courses may not count toward your final Honours classification, depending on the university’s rules.
Can you calculate your GPA before finishing your Bachelor’s?
Yes: this is your cumulative GPA running total. You calculate it using the grades you have so far. If you apply for a Master’s abroad at the start of your third undergraduate year or first year of a Master’s, universities look at your cumulative GPA over your first 2 years plus your interim grades for the current year. YDS helps you present a partial GPA with context (e.g., “cumulative GPA of 3.6 after 2 years of undergraduate study at Sciences Po”).
Is a GPA equivalent enough, or do you need to have your degree evaluated?
It depends on the university. Case A: the university does its own evaluation (most UK universities and many EU universities): send your French transcript and personal statement, and they do the calculation. Case B: the university requires WES/ECE (most US universities and some in Canada): start the process 8 weeks before the deadline. Check the admissions page of each university.