Question 1

What percentage is required for a First Class degree in East African universities?

Accepted Answer

In Kenya and Tanzania, First Class Honours is awarded for a Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 70% or above. At Makerere University in Uganda, the threshold is typically 75%. Some Ugandan private universities apply 70% in line with the Kenyan standard. OpenEduCat is configured with the institution-specific threshold so classification is automatic and consistent.

Question 2

How is the CWA (Cumulative Weighted Average) computed in East African universities?

Accepted Answer

The CWA is the credit-weighted mean of all module marks across the degree programme. Each module contributes to the CWA in proportion to its credit weight. For example, a 4-credit module contributes twice as much as a 2-credit module. Year-level weights may also apply at some institutions — in Kenya, the first year is typically excluded from or given lower weight in the final CWA computation.

Question 3

Is the East African degree classification compatible with international GPA systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. East African universities increasingly provide GPA equivalents on transcripts to facilitate international applications. The mapping is broadly: First Class ≈ 3.6–4.0 GPA, Upper Second ≈ 3.0–3.5, Lower Second ≈ 2.0–2.9, Third Class ≈ 1.0–1.9. OpenEduCat can generate a GPA equivalent alongside the honours classification on all transcript types.

Question 4

How does OpenEduCat assign degree classifications automatically?

Accepted Answer

When grades are published and approved by the Board of Examiners, OpenEduCat computes the CWA using the credit weights and any year-level weights configured for the programme. It then looks up the CWA in the institution's classification scale (First, Upper Second, Lower Second, Third) and assigns the matching class. No manual calculation is needed. For borderline cases, the system flags the student for Board review.

Classification	Abbreviation	CWA Band	GPA Equivalent	Employer / PG Signal
First Class Honours	1st	≥70% (Kenya/Tanzania); ≥75% (Makerere/Uganda)	3.6–4.0	Exceptional — targeted by leading employers, scholarship bodies, and postgraduate programmes
Second Class Honours (Upper Division)	2:1 / Upper Second	60–69% (Kenya/Tanzania); 65–74% (Uganda)	3.0–3.5	Standard minimum for most professional roles and postgraduate entry in East Africa and Commonwealth countries
Second Class Honours (Lower Division)	2:2 / Lower Second	50–59% (Kenya/Tanzania); 55–64% (Uganda)	2.0–2.9	Qualifying degree; many employers accept Lower Second; postgraduate entry may require additional experience
Third Class Honours	3rd	40–49%	1.0–1.9	Qualifying degree; further study, professional qualifications, or experience typically required for competitive roles
Pass (Ordinary Degree)	Pass	Below honours threshold at some institutions (35–39%)	0.5–0.9	Degree awarded without honours classification; institution-specific

Percentage Range	Letter Grade	GPA Points	Degree Classification
75–100%	A	4.0	First Class
70–74%	A-	3.7	First Class (Kenya/Tanzania)
65–69%	B+	3.3	Upper Second
60–64%	B	3.0	Upper Second
55–59%	B-	2.7	Lower Second
50–54%	C+	2.3	Lower Second
45–49%	C	2.0	Third Class
40–44%	C-	1.7	Third Class
Below 40%	D/F	0–1.0	Fail

East African University Degree Classification

Degree Classification Bands

GPA Mapping for International Applications

How CWA Scores Are Computed

Credit-Weighted Mean

Year-Level Weighting

Borderline Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Related East Africa Gradebook Pages

Automate degree classification for East African universities