GPA to French grading system: there is no official conversion table, so each French school reads your US transcript itself when it reviews your application. In France, grades run from 0 to 20, 10 is a pass, and anything above 16 is rare and very strong.
For the official rules on tuition, the visa and work rights in one page, start with the Diplonaut France guide.
How French grades out of 20 work
French schools and universities grade on a scale from 0 to 20. At Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, you need at least 10 out of 20 to pass a course.
High grades are scarce. The science faculty of Université Grenoble Alpes says its best students usually get 14 to 16. Grades of 17 and above are not often given.
So a 14 in France is not a “C.” It can be one of the best grades in the room. Keep that in mind when a French classmate or professor tells you that you did well.
Courses also carry credits, called ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. A full year is 60 credits and a semester is 30.
What the mentions mean
French diplomas can come with honors, called mentions. The Ministry of Education publishes the national rules for the French high-school diploma (baccalauréat), based on the final average out of 20.
| Mention | English meaning | Average out of 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Assez bien | Fairly good | 12 to under 14 |
| Bien | Good | 14 to under 16 |
| Très bien | Very good | 16 and above |
| Très bien avec félicitations du jury | Very good, with the jury’s congratulations | Above 18 (since 2021) |
Mentions are only given to students who pass in the first round of exams. Students with an average from 8 to under 10 can sit a second round of oral retake exams (rattrapage).
The table shows how French readers think about grades. A 14 out of 20 already counts as “good,” and a 16 as “very good.”
Is there an official GPA to French grading system conversion?
No. Campus France, the French government agency for international students, explains French degrees and credits, but it gives no grade or GPA conversion.
Some universities publish approximate tables for their own exchange students, and they do not agree. Paris 1 economics calls its table “approximative” and places 14 to 15.9 in ECTS grade B.
Grenoble Alpes science, on the other hand, places B at 14 to 14.9 and calls 15 and 16 “excellent.” Two schools, two different scales.
A table you find online is one school’s habit, not a rule. On your application, give your grades as your US school issued them, unless the program asks for something else.
How French schools read your US transcript
Planning to study in France for 90 days or more? Campus France USA says you must first follow its Études en France procedure, before you apply for the student visa.
Its application page is clear on who decides. French institutions set their own programs and prerequisites, and they accept or refuse each candidate. Some schools are not on the platform, and you apply on their own website.
For your grades, Campus France USA asks for:
- your official transcripts: unofficial transcripts are not accepted, but a PDF scan of the official ones is;
- your most recent diploma (high school or college);
- a French translation of your diploma and transcripts, done officially by a professional, with the translator’s stamp and contact details (no notarization needed).
Some schools also ask for an attestation de comparabilité, a statement from ENIC-NARIC France, the official French center for recognition of foreign diplomas. Campus France says it costs 120 euros per request and is not an equivalence in itself.
If you already hold a US bachelor’s, read our guide on whether a US bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a French licence.
What to do before you apply
- Order official transcripts from every college or high school you attended.
- Find a professional translator early, since every page needs a stamp.
- Read each program’s own page for any minimum average or required courses.
- Check the France guide for tuition, the visa and work rights.
- Compare France with other countries on the Diplonaut comparator, and follow the latest rule changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert my GPA to the French grading system?
You don’t need to, and there is no official table to do it with. Send your official US transcript with a professional French translation. Each French school reads it when it reviews your application.
What do French grades out of 20 mean?
Grades run from 0 to 20 and 10 is a pass. The best students usually score 14 to 16. Grades of 17 and above are rarely given.
What is a good grade in France?
For the French high-school diploma, an average of 12 earns the mention assez bien, 14 earns bien and 16 earns très bien. A 14 is already a strong result.
Do French schools accept unofficial transcripts?
Not through Campus France USA. Its Études en France checklist says unofficial transcripts are not accepted, though a PDF scan of your official transcript is fine.
Official sources
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Economics: The transcript of records
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Faculty of Sciences: French grading system
- French Ministry of Education: Le baccalauréat général
- French Ministry of Education: baccalauréat 2023 press kit
- Campus France: French degrees, LMD and equivalences
- Campus France USA: Application overview
- Campus France USA: Applying to a French institution
- European Commission: ECTS
Checked November 6, 2026. Diplonaut is not affiliated with any school or evaluation body.