Key takeaways
- FCGPA is the overall GPA that determines your class of degree at UPSA. It’s based on your performance across all semesters.
- To calculate it, multiply each year’s GPA by its credit hours, add them all together, and divide by the total cumulative credit hours.
- A failed course lowers your FCGPA, even if you retake and pass it, because the failing grade still appears on your transcript.
Your Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) is the key metric used to determine your graduating class in most universities in Ghana. Here’s how to calculate it at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
What is the FGPA system at UPSA?
At UPSA, the Final Cumulative Grade Point Average (FCGPA) is the overall GPA that determines your graduating class.
Unlike your semester GPA, which reflects your academic performance in a single semester, the FCGPA considers your cumulative performance across all semesters.
Each course you complete at UPSA is assigned a letter grade based on your percentage score, and each letter grade corresponds to a specific grade point. These grade points form the basis for calculating your FCGPA.
| Grade | Percentage score | Grade points |
| A | 80-100 | 4.0 |
| B+ | 75-79 | 3.5 |
| B | 70-74 | 3.0 |
| B- | 65-69 | 2.5 |
| C+ | 60-64 | 2.0 |
| C | 55-59 | 1.5 |
| C- | 50-54 | 1.0 |
| D | 45-49 | 0.5 |
| F | 0-44 | 0 |
How to calculate your FGPA at UPSA?
There are two ways to calculate your FCGPA at UPSA:
Option #1 – Using UPSA’s FGPA formula
The easiest way to calculate your FCGPA at UPSA is to multiply your GPA for each academic year by the corresponding total credit hours for that year, sum up the values, and divide by the total cumulative credit hours.
This method is straightforward if you already know your GPA for each year.
FCGPA = [Sum of (GPA × Total credit hours of each year)] ÷ Total cumulative credit hours
Example calculation
Let’s say Sam is a student at UPSA. Throughout his four-year programme, he has earned the following GPAs and completed the following credits each year:
| Year | Total credits | GPA |
| Year 1 | 30 | 3.53 |
| Year 2 | 30 | 3.75 |
| Year 3 | 30 | 4.0 |
| Year 4 | 33 | 3.77 |
His total cumulative credit hours = 30 + 30 + 30 + 33 = 123
His FCGPA is calculated as:
FCGPA = [(3.53 × 30) + (3.75 × 30) + (4.00 × 30) + (3.77 × 33)] ÷ 123 FCGPA = 462.81 ÷ 123 FCGPA = 3.76
Based on UPSA’s classification system, Sam qualifies for a First Class Honours degree.
However, if you don’t have your GPA for each semester or year, but you know your raw course scores and credit hours, you can calculate your FCGPA using this method:
FCGPA = Total grade points across all semesters ÷ Total cumulative credits.
Where:
Total grade points = Sum of (Grade points × Credit hours for each course)
Option #2 – Using online calculators
To make it easier to calculate your FCGPA, you can use online FCGPA calculators like myPathway.app GPA Calculator.
Input the credit hours and grade for each course for all semesters, and your FCGPA will be automatically calculated for you.
UPSA’s FGPA grade classifications
For undergraduate degree programs, UPSA classifies degrees based on the following FCGPA ranges:
| Class of degree | FCGPA range |
| First Class | 3.60 – 4.00 |
| Second Class (Upper Division) | 3.00 – 3.59 |
| Second Class (Lower Division) | 2.50 – 2.99 |
| Third Class | 2.00 – 2.49 |
| Pass | 1.00 – 1.99 |
| Fail/No award of degree | 0 – 0.99 |
UPSA also offers diploma programmes, which use a slightly different classification system. For diploma students, the final award is determined as follows:
| Award | FCGPA range |
| Distinction | 3.50 – 4.00 |
| Credit | 2.50 – 3.49 |
| Pass | 1.00 – 2.49 |
| Fail/No award of degree | 0 – 0.99 |
FAQs
How does a failed course affect my FGPA at UPSA?
Failed courses add to your total credit hours but contribute zero points to your grade points, which lowers your GPA and ultimately, the FCGPA. Even if you retake and pass it, the failed grade remains on your transcript.
How different are the FGPAs in degree and diploma programmes?
The method for calculating FCGPA is the same in both degree and diploma programmes at UPSA. However, the classification scales differ.
Degree classifications range from First Class to Pass, while diploma awards range from Distinction to Pass. Additionally, diploma classifications start at lower FCGPA thresholds compared to degree programs.
Is the UPSA FGPA the same as CGPA?
Not exactly. FGPA, or more accurately, FCGPA, is the overall GPA used to determine your final classification, while the CGPA is a cumulative measure calculated at any given point in your programme.
Final words
Your FCGPA is a reflection of your entire academic journey at UPSA. It determines your graduating class and is a key metric for postgraduate admissions and job opportunities.
Have any questions? Please share them in the comments below.
