UNILAG Grading System: Grades, GPA, CGPA and Degree Classes Explained
How CGPA works at UNILAG, with an example you can follow. We also point out where online sources disagree, so you know what to confirm.
UNILAG students joke that your CGPA is your life, but few people explain how it's worked out. Here's how it works, with an example you can follow.
One caution: the sources we found disagree on the lower degree classes, so the post shows both versions. Check with your department which one applies to you.
The UNILAG grading scale
| Score | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 70 to 100 | A | 5 |
| 60 to 69 | B | 4 |
| 50 to 59 | C | 3 |
| 45 to 49 | D | 2 |
| 40 to 44 | E | 1 |
| 0 to 39 | F | 0 |
The usual pass threshold for a course is E (40). Some departments may set their own rules, so check with yours.
How to calculate your GPA
GPA = Total quality points ÷ Total credit units
Quality points for a course = grade point × credit units.
Worked example
| Course | Units | Grade | Grade point | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | 3 | A | 5 | 15 |
| Course 2 | 3 | A | 5 | 15 |
| Course 3 | 2 | C | 3 | 6 |
| Course 4 | 2 | E | 1 | 2 |
| Course 5 | 3 | B | 4 | 12 |
| Total | 13 | 50 |
GPA = 50 ÷ 13 = 3.85
Notice how one weak grade (the E) pulls the GPA down even with two As. That is why every course counts.
How to calculate your CGPA
CGPA = Total quality points (all semesters) ÷ Total credit units (all semesters)
Add everything from every semester so far, then divide. Do not average your GPAs. See how to calculate GPA and CGPA in Nigerian universities and GPA vs CGPA.
Degree classes
All the published sources we found agree that a First Class needs a CGPA of 4.50 or above. They differ on the lower bands:
| Class | Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | 4.50 to 5.00 | 4.50 to 5.00 |
| Second Class Upper | 3.50 to 4.49 | 3.50 to 4.49 |
| Second Class Lower | 2.40 to 3.49 | 2.50 to 3.49 |
| Third Class | 1.50 to 2.39 | 1.50 to 2.49 |
| Pass | 1.00 to 1.49 | Varies |
Check your department's current handbook to see which applies to your set.
Tips for protecting your CGPA
- Start strong. Early grades are hard to repair later.
- Register every course. See what to do if you forgot to register a course.
- Do not skip continuous assessment.
- Prioritise high-unit courses.
- Clear carry-overs early. See carry-overs and academic probation.
- Track your CGPA each semester.
Work out your own result
Try your own results in the MonoEd GPA tools. It shows your GPA, your CGPA and the grades you'd need next semester, using the UNILAG 5-point scale above.
Looking ahead
Your CGPA is one part of the journey. Down the road there's SIWES (start with how to fill the logbook and the MonoEd SIWES Logbook), the SIWES report, and then your project. The project topics are there when you want to plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the UNILAG grading system?
A 5-point scale from A (70 to 100, 5 points) down to F (below 40, 0 points).
What CGPA is a First Class?
4.50 and above. Every source we found agrees on that.
What is the pass mark?
Commonly 40 (grade E), though your department may set its own rule.
Why do websites show different class boundaries?
Rules change, and some sites copy older tables. Check your department's current handbook.
Is UNILAG on a 4.0 or 5.0 scale?
5.0.
How do I calculate my CGPA?
Add up all your quality points and all your units from every semester and divide. Don't average your GPAs.
Can I recover from a bad semester?
Yes. Score well in later semesters and clear failed courses as the rules allow. Start with the very next semester.
About the Author
Mohammad-Jamiu B. Balogun, GMNSE
AI Security Researcher · Founder, MonoEd Africa
Mohammad-Jamiu is a First-Class Telecommunications Engineer and Best Graduating Student, BUK '24, and an AI security researcher. He founded MonoEd Africa to give Nigerian students AI-powered academic tools — from SIWES logbooks to final year projects. His work has reached over 10,000 students across Nigeria.
