Academic performance standards in Canada: what is GPA
Let's take a look at Canada's grading systems and their importance for university admission and studies.
Canadian educational institutions use a standardized Grade Point Average (GPA) system to measure academic performance. This system is also used in other countries like the USA, India, Australia, and Japan. Let's explore what GPA is used for and how to calculate it correctly.
Why GPA is important
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It's used to calculate academic performance for a semester, year, or study period.
You may also see CGPA, which means Cumulative Grade Point Average. This measures overall academic performance for an entire program, whether it's high school, college, or university.
GPA is important both when applying to Canadian colleges or universities and during your studies there.
When preparing to apply to a Canadian school, keep in mind that each institution has its own GPA requirements depending on the program, degree level, and province. Grading systems vary across Canada, with each province and territory setting its own standards. Some use a 4.0 scale, others 4.33, and some use letter grades (A to F) or percentages (0-100%). Some schools even use an extended 9.0 scale.
When choosing a Canadian school, carefully check the GPA requirements for your province and program. As of 2025, most Canadian colleges and universities require a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0, but competitive programs may require 3.0 or higher. Master's programs typically require at least a 3.0 GPA.
Students in Canada usually calculate their GPA at the end of each semester. They need to provide their GPA to:
- Meet graduation requirements
- Get recommendation letters
- Apply for scholarships
- Prove qualifications in their field
- Apply for graduate programs
- Find employment
How to calculate your GPA
To calculate your GPA, you need to consider both your grade and the number of credits for each course. Credits represent the workload required to complete a course.
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Multiply the grade for each course by its number of credits to get a weighted grade. If grades are given as letters, convert them to numbers first.
For example, let's say a student in Alberta (where grades are A-F and the maximum GPA is 4.0) took three courses in a semester:
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Calculation | Weighted Grade |
| Math | A | 4.0 | 3 | 4.0 x 3 | 12.0 |
| PE | B | 3.0 | 4 | 3.0 x 4 | 12.0 |
| Biology | C | 2.0 | 2 | 2.0 x 2 | 4.0 |
Add up the weighted grades: 12 12 4 = 28. Then add up all credits: 3 4 2 = 9.
The GPA formula is: sum of weighted grades ÷ sum of all credits.
So, this student's GPA is: 28 ÷ 9 = 3.1, which is a B or "Good" in Alberta.
There are also online tools to calculate your GPA automatically:
Calculating CGPA
CGPA (Cumulative GPA) is calculated for your entire program. Use the same method as GPA, but multiply each semester's GPA by its total credits, then divide by the total credits for all semesters.
Check whether you need to provide GPA or CGPA, as requirements may vary.
Converting grades from other systems
Many post-Soviet countries use a 5-point scale. Here's how it roughly compares to the 4.0 GPA scale:
| Grade | Description | GPA | Letter |
| 5 | Excellent | 4.0 | A |
| 4 | Good | 3.0 | B |
| 3 | Satisfactory | 2.0 | C |
| 2 | Unsatisfactory | 0.0 | F |
Some of the calculators mentioned above can also convert grades from various countries to GPA.
Help with Applying to Canadian Universities
Due to differences in grading systems, applicants and students may face challenges when applying to Canadian universities. To save time and ensure that all your documents meet the requirements, we recommend seeking help from experts.
Our company, Immigrant.Today, is ready to advise you on all aspects of studying in Canada, from choosing the right university to assisting with student visa applications. Book a consultation with our education experts to start your journey towards studying in Canada.
