How to convert Swedish Grades to GPA
Many students and schools ask us how to convert Swedish high school/secondary school grades to GPA or percentage grades. Here is our latest info on this and on English equivalencies.
1. The Swedish Grading Scale (A–F)
2. How to Calculate the Average Grade Point (Jämförelsetal)
3. Conversion from Swedish High School to GPA (4.0 scale)
5. Gymnasiearbetet (Upper Secondary Project) should be excluded
7. Högskoleprovet (the Swedish University Admission test)
8. English language equivalencies
10. Some sources
In Sweden, the grading system used in upper secondary school (gymnasiet) is criterion-based and not directly tied to a percentage scale. Below, I will explain the system and offer guidance on how you can interpret Swedish grades in terms of both GPA and approximate percentages.
If you are a student you should note that grade conversions are usually done by the school you apply to or an authorized third party service they refer to.
1. Swedish Grading Scale (A–F)
Swedish students receive grades on a scale from A to F, where A is the highest grade and F is a failing grade. Below is a brief summary of the grading scale:
- A: Excellent (20 points)
- B: Very good (17.5 points)
- C: Good (15 points)
- D: Satisfactory (12.5 points)
- E: Acceptable (10 points)
- F: Fail (0 points)
2. How to Calculate the Average Grade Point (Jämförelsetal)
To calculate a student's average grade point (jämförelsetal), follow these steps:
- Assign a point value to each grade (A = 20, B = 17.5, etc.).
- Multiply the grade point by the number of credits (poäng) each course is worth.
- Sum the results for all courses.
- Divide the total sum by the number of credits.
Example
Let’s say a student has the following grades and credits:
- Mathematics 1b: A (20 points) for 100 credits
- English 6: B (17.5 points) for 100 credits
- History 1b: C (15 points) for 100 credits
- Swedish 1: B (17.5 points) for 100 credits
Now calculate the points for each course:
- Mathematics: 20 × 100 = 2000
- English: 17.5 × 100 = 1750
- History: 15 × 100 = 1500
- Swedish: 17.5 × 100 = 1750
Total points: 2000 + 1750 + 1500 + 1750 = 7000 points
Total credits: 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 = 400 credits
Now divide the total points by the total credits:
Jämförelsetal = 7000 ÷ 400 = 17.5
Thus, the student's jämförelsetal is 17.5, which is essentially the weighted average of the student's grades.
3. Conversion from Swedish High School to GPA (4.0 scale)
There is no official formula for converting Swedish grades to a GPA, but commonly used approximations include the following:
- A (20 points) ≈ 4.0 GPA
- B (17.5 points) ≈ 3.5 GPA
- C (15 points) ≈ 3.0 GPA
- D (12.5 points) ≈ 2.5 GPA
- E (10 points) ≈ 2.0 GPA
- F (0 points) ≈ 0 GPA
So by dividing the Swedish grades or jämförelsetal by 5 you get the GPA value with this formula.
4. Percentage Equivalents
Though Sweden does not use a percentage-based grading system, you can approximate percentages based on the Swedish grading scale:
- A ≈ 90–100%
- B ≈ 80–89%
- C ≈ 70–79%
- D ≈ 60–69%
- E ≈ 50–59%
- F ≈ below 50% (Fail)
So, if a student has a jämförelsetal/average grades of 17.5, it could be approximately interpreted as 80–89%. But again, this is a rough estimate, as jämförelsetal reflects a weighted average of grades rather than a direct score out of 100. These percentage ranges are approximations and should be treated as general guidelines.
5. Gymnasiearbetet (Upper Secondary Project) should be excluded
In Swedish upper secondary education, students on many programs are required to complete a final project called the Gymnasiearbete. This project is a mandatory part of the curriculum but is assessed differently from other subjects. The only possible grades are E (Pass) or F (Fail), and no higher grades are awarded. As such, Gymnasiearbetet is not included when calculating a student’s average grade point (jämförelsetal) or when converting Swedish grades into international grading systems like GPA or percentages. Its role is to demonstrate the student’s ability to independently apply knowledge and skills from their studies, but it does not impact the overall grade point average.
6. Additional Merit Points
In Sweden, students may also receive merit points (meritpoäng) for advanced courses in subjects such as foreign languages, English, and mathematics. However, these additional points (which can raise their overall average up to 22.5 points) are typically not applicable when converting to an international GPA or percentage system. For the purpose of international admissions, the maximum score is generally capped at 20.0.
7. Högskoleprovet (the Swedish University Admission test)
In addition to grades, students in Sweden can take the Högskoleprovet, a standardized test used for university admissions within Sweden. The test consists of sections assessing verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, and the results can be used to supplement or replace grades when applying to Swedish universities. However, it is important to note that Högskoleprovet is only applicable for admissions to Swedish institutions. It cannot be used as a substitute for grades or standardized tests (such as the SAT or ACT) when applying to universities abroad. This is a common misconception among students, but for international applications, only grades and relevant standardized tests recognized by the foreign institution should be submitted.
8. English language equivalencies
Swedish upper secondary school students complete various levels of English courses, which play a critical role in meeting English language proficiency requirements for universities abroad. These courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), offering a standardized way for universities to assess language skills.
English 5 (Engelska 5)
English 5 corresponds to B1:2 on the CEFR scale, which represents an intermediate level of proficiency. Students completing this course can handle everyday situations and general conversations but may not yet have the academic language skills required for studying in an English-speaking country.
Universities abroad, especially in English-speaking countries like the UK, USA, and Canada, often require a higher level of English proficiency, making English 5 insufficient for most undergraduate programs. However, for some non-English-speaking countries, this level may be accepted for certain programs.
English 6 (Engelska 6)
English 6 corresponds to B2:1, which is an upper-intermediate level on the CEFR scale. This course is a common requirement for admission to universities in Sweden and is often accepted by international universities as proof of language proficiency.
For international admissions, English 6 is frequently considered equivalent to IELTS scores of 5.5-6.0 or TOEFL iBT scores of 72-85. This level is typically sufficient for most undergraduate programs at universities in English-speaking countries.
Swedish students are known for their high level of English. English 6 is a mandatory course in all university preparatory programs in Swedish high school/upper secondary school, and a passing grade (E or higher) is required to graduate and qualify for university admission in Sweden.
Many universities abroad accept grade E or C or above in English 6 as an alternative to TOEFL/IELTS for undergraduate admission. However, specific universities may still request proof of proficiency through standardized tests, especially for competitive programs.
English 7 (Engelska 7)
English 7 corresponds to B2:2, the second level of upper-intermediate proficiency. This level reflects a more advanced command of the English language, enabling students to engage in complex academic discourse.
In international settings, English 7 is often considered equivalent to IELTS scores of 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT scores of 85-94. Many universities, especially for competitive programs or at the graduate level, may recognize English 7 as sufficient without the need for additional language tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
9. Swedish CSN-funding
All education is free in Sweden so Swedish students studying abroad depend on grants and loans from the Swedish government body CSN to finance their studies abroad. If your school has applicants from Sweden it is very important that you understand CSN and how Swedish students can use it to finance their studies abroad and use CSN to provide proof of finance.
Here you can read more about Swedish CSN-funding in English and calculate how much support students can get in your local currency.
10. Some sources
Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education):
11. Grade conversion services
The grade conversion should normally be done by the application authority, the school you are applying to, or a third party organisation recommended by your school. Here are some organisations that convert Swedish high school diplomas to GPA:
More information
Students who wants help to apply to schools abroad should fill out our info request form. International schools who wants help with promotion and student recruitment in Scandinavia can read more on our page about partnerships.
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