GPA Calculator for Sri Lanka

UGC grading scale for Sri Lankan universities

Mark ranges vary by university. A+ and A carry the same grade point (4.0) — the distinction is only in the percentage band. Always check your faculty\'s official grading policy for exact mark boundaries.

Degree classification thresholds

Some universities apply different thresholds. UCSC awards First Class at 3.50+. Some engineering faculties require specific minimum grades in core subjects regardless of overall CGPA. Confirm with your faculty handbook.

How SGPA and CGPA are calculated

Sri Lankan universities use credit-weighted GPA. Every course has credit units (CU) that represent its workload and importance. A 3 CU course has three times the GPA impact of a 1 CU course.

Common questions

• What is the grading scale used in Sri Lankan universities?
  Sri Lankan universities follow the University Grants Commission (UGC) standard grade scale established in Circular No. 901 (2008). The grades and grade point values are: A+ = 4.0, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D = 1.0, E = 0.0 (Fail). Note that A+ and A carry the same grade point of 4.0 — the difference is only in the mark range. C (2.0) is the minimum passing grade for most courses. Grades of D and E indicate unsatisfactory performance, with E representing complete failure.
• What GPA is needed for First Class in Sri Lanka?
  Under the standard UGC framework, a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.70 or above is required for a First Class degree. Second Class Upper Division requires 3.30–3.69, Second Class Lower Division requires 3.00–3.29, and a Pass is awarded for 2.00–2.99. Note that individual universities may apply slightly different thresholds. For example, the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) awards First Class at 3.50 and above. Always confirm the exact cutoffs with your faculty handbook, as some departments also set minimum grade requirements in specific courses.
• What is the difference between SGPA and CGPA?
  SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is your GPA for a single semester — calculated by dividing the total quality points earned that semester by the total credit units taken. CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is your overall GPA across all semesters of your degree — it is the credit-weighted average of all your SGPAs. Because CGPA is weighted by credits, a semester with more credit units has more impact on your final CGPA. This is why final-year courses (which are typically more numerous and credit-heavy) have a larger impact on the degree classification outcome.
• How is GPA calculated at Sri Lankan universities?
  GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Units. Quality Points per course = Grade Point Value × Credit Units. Example: Mathematics (3 CU, grade A) = 4.0 × 3 = 12.0. Physics (3 CU, grade B+) = 3.3 × 3 = 9.9. Chemistry (2 CU, grade A-) = 3.7 × 2 = 7.4. Total quality points = 29.3. Total credit units = 8. SGPA = 29.3 ÷ 8 = 3.66 (Second Class Upper). For CGPA, the same formula applies across all semesters: CGPA = Total quality points from ALL semesters ÷ Total credit units from ALL semesters.
• Do different universities use different grading scales in Sri Lanka?
  The grade point values (A+ = 4.0, A = 4.0, etc.) are standardised by the UGC across all state universities. However, the mark ranges that correspond to each letter grade vary by institution. For example, at some universities an A requires 75%+ while at others it requires 80%+. SLIIT and UOM commonly use A+ for 90–100% and A for 80–89%. The University of Peradeniya typically uses A for 70% and above. Always refer to your university's official grading policy or faculty handbook when converting raw marks to letter grades. This calculator supports entering grades directly (as letters), which works accurately regardless of which university you attend.
• What does degree classification mean in Sri Lanka?
  Sri Lankan universities award honours degrees with a class based on CGPA: First Class (3.70+), Second Class Upper Division (3.30–3.69), Second Class Lower Division (3.00–3.29), Pass (2.00–2.99). The class appears on your official degree certificate and transcript. First Class is highly regarded by employers and essential for most academic careers and postgraduate scholarships. Second Class Upper is strong and sufficient for most competitive employers. Second Class Lower is a passing qualification but may limit access to certain jobs and scholarship programmes. The classification is based solely on CGPA in most universities — though some faculties also require minimum grades in specific courses.
• What happens if I fail a course in Sri Lanka?
  A grade of E (0.0) is a fail at Sri Lankan universities. If you fail a compulsory course, you must resit the examination or repeat the course. Even if you pass the resit, some universities record the original E and use the better grade for GPA calculation; others use only the resit grade. A grade of D (1.0) is a low pass but can drag down your CGPA significantly. Since the minimum CGPA for a Pass degree is 2.00, and for a Second Class Lower is 3.00, even a few D or E grades can push your final classification down by one level. Recovering from multiple failures is mathematically possible but very difficult in later semesters.
• How many credit units are typical in a Sri Lankan degree?
  A typical Sri Lankan three-year general degree consists of approximately 90–100 credit units (CU). A four-year honours degree typically has 120–130 CU. Most core lecture courses carry 3 CU; practical/laboratory courses may carry 1–2 CU; project/thesis components can carry 4–6 CU. Credit units determine how much each course contributes to CGPA — a 4 CU course has four times the GPA impact of a 1 CU course. This is why performing well in high-credit courses (major subjects, final-year project) is especially important for degree classification.
• Can I still get First Class if I had a weak first year?
  It depends on how weak and how many credits remain. CGPA is a credit-weighted average across all semesters. If Year 1 had 25 CU and you earned a 2.5 SGPA, you have 25 × 2.5 = 62.5 quality points. To finish with a First Class (CGPA 3.70) over a 120 CU degree, your remaining 95 CU must average (3.70 × 120 − 62.5) ÷ 95 = 3.99 GPA — nearly perfect. A weak first year can mathematically eliminate First Class early in a degree. Use the Goal Calculator tab above to find the exact SGPA you need from here.
• What is the minimum GPA to graduate in Sri Lanka?
  Most Sri Lankan state universities require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for graduation with a general degree, and the same 2.00 minimum for an honours pass. Some faculties and departments set higher minimums — for example, some engineering programmes require 2.50 or higher. A CGPA between 2.00 and 2.99 earns a Pass class, which is a valid degree but without honours. Students who fall below 2.00 may be placed on academic probation, required to repeat years, or in some cases not qualify for the degree. Requirements vary by university, faculty, and programme — confirm with your faculty office.