GPA, CGPA and FGPA are commonly used to measure academic performance in Ghanaian universities, but they do not all mean the same thing.
The way they are calculated can also differ from one university to another. The University of Ghana, for example, uses GPA, CGPA and FGPA, while KNUST generally uses a Cumulative Weighted Average, known as CWA, for undergraduate degree classification.
This guide explains the main terms, shows how the calculations work and highlights some of the differences between grading systems used by universities in Ghana.
What Does GPA Mean?
GPA means Grade Point Average.
It is normally used to measure a student's academic performance for a particular semester or defined period of study.
To calculate GPA, each course grade is converted into a grade point. That grade point is then multiplied by the number of credits assigned to the course.
The result is often referred to as the Grade Point Total, or GPT.
The general formula is:
GPA = Total Grade Points earned divided by Total Credits taken
What Does GPT Mean?
GPT means Grade Point Total.
For an individual course, it is calculated by multiplying the credit value of the course by the grade point earned.
For example, if a three-credit course carries a grade point of 4.0:
3 credits x 4.0 grade points = 12 grade points
You repeat this calculation for each course and add the results together to obtain the total GPT for the semester.
How to Calculate GPA
Consider a student taking five courses, each worth three credits.
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Point | GPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 2 | 3 | B | 3.0 | 9.0 |
| Course 3 | 3 | B+ | 3.5 | 10.5 |
| Course 4 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 5 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
Total credits = 15
Total GPT = 55.5
The GPA is therefore:
55.5 divided by 15 = 3.70
The student's GPA for that semester would be 3.70.
What Does CGPA Mean?
CGPA means Cumulative Grade Point Average.
It measures performance across more than one semester by combining the grade points and credits from all the courses included in the calculation.
A common mistake is to calculate CGPA by simply adding semester GPAs and dividing by the number of semesters.
That can produce the wrong result when the semesters carry different total credit loads.
The more reliable method is:
CGPA = Total Grade Points from all included courses divided by Total Credits from all included courses
This is also how the University of Cape Coast explains its CGPA calculation. Courses are treated together rather than simply averaging the separate semester GPA figures.
CGPA Example
Suppose a student completes two semesters.
Semester 1:
- Total credits: 15
- Total grade points: 55.5
Semester 2:
- Total credits: 18
- Total grade points: 59.4
The combined totals are:
- Total credits: 33
- Total grade points: 114.9
The CGPA would therefore be:
114.9 divided by 33 = 3.48
This approach takes account of the actual credit load carried in each semester.
What Does FGPA Mean?
FGPA means Final Grade Point Average.
At the University of Ghana, the FGPA is the final academic average used to determine the class of degree awarded at the end of an undergraduate programme.
It should not be confused with the CGPA shown during the course of a student's programme.
For the standard four-year undergraduate structure described in the University of Ghana regulations, the academic levels are weighted as follows:
- Level 100: weight 1
- Level 200: weight 1
- Level 300: weight 2
- Level 400: weight 2
This gives the weighting ratio 1:1:2:2.
Higher-level courses therefore contribute more heavily to the final FGPA than Levels 100 and 200.
How to Calculate FGPA at the University of Ghana
Consider the following example:
- Level 100 GPA: 3.60
- Level 200 GPA: 3.75
- Level 300 GPA: 2.75
- Level 400 GPA: 3.50
Using the 1:1:2:2 weighting:
- Level 100: 3.60 x 1
- Level 200: 3.75 x 1
- Level 300: 2.75 x 2
- Level 400: 3.50 x 2
Add the weighted values:
3.60 + 3.75 + 5.50 + 7.00 = 19.85
The total weighting is 6.
19.85 divided by 6 = approximately 3.31
In this example, the student's FGPA would be approximately 3.31.
This example also shows why it is important to calculate the weighting correctly. A small mistake in one level can change the final result.
University of Ghana Grading Scale
The University of Ghana publishes the following undergraduate grade points:
| Mark | Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
| 80 to 100 | A | 4.0 |
| 75 to 79 | B+ | 3.5 |
| 70 to 74 | B | 3.0 |
| 65 to 69 | C+ | 2.5 |
| 60 to 64 | C | 2.0 |
| 55 to 59 | D+ | 1.5 |
| 50 to 54 | D | 1.0 |
| 45 to 49 | E | 0.5 |
| 0 to 44 | F | 0 |
At UG, grades A through D are pass grades. E and F are failure grades under the university's published undergraduate regulations.
University of Ghana Degree Classification
UG currently lists undergraduate degree classifications according to FGPA as follows:
| FGPA | Classification |
|---|---|
| 3.60 to 4.00 | First Class Honours |
| 3.00 to 3.59 | Second Class Honours, Upper Division |
| 2.00 to 2.99 | Second Class Honours, Lower Division |
| 1.50 to 1.99 | Third Class Honours |
| 1.00 to 1.49 | Pass |
| Below 1.00 | Fail |
How UCC Calculates GPA and CGPA
The University of Cape Coast also uses a 4.0 grade point system.
Its published undergraduate grading scale includes:
- A: 4.0
- B+: 3.5
- B: 3.0
- C+: 2.5
- C: 2.0
- D+: 1.5
- D: 1.0
- E: 0
UCC calculates GPA by dividing the total of the credit points multiplied by the respective grade points by the total credits.
For CGPA, all the relevant courses are combined in the calculation. It is not simply the average of individual semester GPAs.
UCC Degree Classification
UCC currently publishes the following undergraduate classifications based on CGPA:
| CGPA | Classification |
|---|---|
| 3.60 to 4.00 | First Class |
| 3.00 to 3.50 | Second Class, Upper Division |
| 2.50 to 2.90 | Second Class, Lower Division |
| 2.00 to 2.40 | Third Class |
| 1.00 to 1.90 | Pass |
This is one reason students should not assume that every Ghanaian university uses the same degree classification ranges.
Does KNUST Use GPA?
KNUST generally uses a different undergraduate classification system based on the Cumulative Weighted Average, commonly called CWA.
For most undergraduate programmes, KNUST publishes the following classifications:
| CWA | Classification |
|---|---|
| 70.00 and above | First Class |
| 60.00 to 69.99 | Second Class, Upper Division |
| 50.00 to 59.99 | Second Class, Lower Division |
| 45.00 to 49.99 | Pass |
Some professional programmes have different classification arrangements, so students should always check the regulations for their programme.
GPA, CGPA, FGPA and CWA: What Is the Difference?
| Term | Meaning | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| GPA | Grade Point Average | Performance over a semester or defined study period |
| CGPA | Cumulative Grade Point Average | Performance across several semesters or courses |
| FGPA | Final Grade Point Average | Final weighted result used by institutions such as UG for degree classification |
| CWA | Cumulative Weighted Average | Weighted percentage-based academic performance used by institutions such as KNUST |
Common GPA Calculation Mistakes
Averaging semester GPAs directly
This can give the wrong CGPA when semesters carry different numbers of credits.
Use the combined grade points and combined credits instead.
Using another university's grading scale
A grade point or degree classification used at one university may not be identical to the system used at another.
Always check your institution's current academic regulations.
Confusing CGPA with FGPA
At the University of Ghana, CGPA and FGPA serve different purposes. The FGPA incorporates the university's level weighting and determines the final degree classification.
Ignoring course credits
A three-credit course contributes more to a weighted GPA calculation than a one-credit course. The credit value matters.
Using an online calculator without checking the formula
Online GPA calculators can be useful, but only if they use the same grading system as your university.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good GPA in Ghana?
There is no single GPA that can be described as good for every Ghanaian university because grading and classification systems differ. Check your university's official classification table and the requirements relevant to your programme or goal.
Is CGPA the average of all semester GPAs?
Not necessarily. Where semesters carry different credit loads, simply averaging the semester GPAs can produce an incorrect result. Universities such as UCC calculate CGPA using the total grade points and total credits from all included courses.
What is the difference between CGPA and FGPA at UG?
CGPA represents cumulative performance across courses taken up to a given point. FGPA is the final weighted average used by the University of Ghana to determine the class of undergraduate degree.
Does KNUST use GPA or CWA?
KNUST generally uses CWA for undergraduate degree classification. Most undergraduate classifications are based on a percentage scale rather than the 4.0 GPA scale used by universities such as UG and UCC.
What FGPA is First Class at the University of Ghana?
The University of Ghana lists an FGPA from 3.60 to 4.00 as First Class Honours.
What CGPA is First Class at UCC?
The University of Cape Coast lists a CGPA from 3.60 to 4.00 as First Class.
What CWA is First Class at KNUST?
For most KNUST undergraduate programmes, a CWA of 70.00 or above is classified as First Class.
Final Note
GPA calculations are not difficult once you understand grade points, course credits and the formula your university uses. The important part is not to assume that every institution in Ghana follows exactly the same grading system.
Use your university's current academic regulations when making decisions about your grades, degree classification, progression or graduation.
