C/5.2 QUT Grading System

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5.2.1 Policy principles
5.2.2 Policy outcomes
5.2.3 QUT grading scale
5.2.4 Grading system - awards with distinction
5.2.5 Grading system - awards with honours
5.2.6 Grade point average
Related Documents
Modification History

5.2.1 Policy principles

The awarding of grades requires assessors to exercise professional judgement informed by well-designed assessment items that provide evidence of learning outcomes.

QUT’s grading system supports the principles for assessment (C/5.1) by ensuring that the awarding of grades

• is underpinned by robust criteria and standards
• incorporates rigorous moderation approaches.

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5.2.2 Policy outcomes

This policy is designed to

• promote the use of a fair and transparent grading system that is aligned to QUT’s assessment policy
• provide guidance on the allocation and moderation of grades and grade point averages.

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5.2.3 QUT grading scale

The University awards numeric grades on a 7-point scale which are used for the calculation of a grade point average. Some units, generally those incorporating professional competencies that require minimum specified levels of achievement, may report final grades as “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory). When determining the final grades, a unit may only have one grading scale applied (i.e. a 7-point scale or a S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory) scale) which must apply to all students enrolled in the unit.

Other nomenclature and descriptors for final grading include

• succinct qualitative descriptor
• generic description of standard to inform grading
• standard percentage ranges where numeric references are used.

The process for the allocation and release of results is specified in E/6.5.

(a) Academic results

Academic results are normally allocated and determined by academic processes, including appropriate moderation (C/5.1.7).

Pass Grades

7 - High Distinction

Work provides evidence of an exceptional level of achievement of unit learning outcomes, such as

• thorough and well reasoned critical analysis and evaluation of concepts, theories and practice from the field of study
• creative and insightful application of well integrated theoretical and practical knowledge to professional contexts.

Percentage range: 85%-100%.

6 - Distinction

Work provides evidence of a very high level of achievement of unit learning outcomes, such as

• thorough critical analysis and evaluation of concepts, theories and practice from the field of study
• insightful application of integrated theoretical and practical knowledge to professional contexts.

Percentage range: 75%-84%.

5 – Credit

Work provides evidence of a high level of achievement of unit learning outcomes, such as

• critical analysis and evaluation of key concepts, theories and practice from the field of study
• effective application of theoretical and practical knowledge to professional contexts.

Percentage range: 65%-74%.

4 – Pass

Work provides evidence of an acceptable level of achievement of unit learning outcomes, such as

• adequate analysis and evaluation of key concepts, theories and practice from the field of study
• sound application of fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge to professional contexts.

Percentage range: 50%-64%.

S - Satisfactory (where approved for use)

Work provides evidence of an acceptable level of achievement of unit learning outcomes and professional competencies (where applicable).

Fail Grades

3 – Marginal Fail

Work provides evidence of limited and/or disconnected learning which fails to demonstrate that unit learning outcomes have been achieved. Students who receive a grade of 3 in a unit may be eligible to apply for supplementary assessment (E/6.4).
Percentage range: 40%-49%.

2 – Fail

Work provides evidence of minimal learning in relation to unit learning outcomes.
Percentage range: 25-39%.

1 - Low Fail

Work provides little or no evidence of learning in relation to unit learning outcomes.
Percentage range:  less than 25%.

U - Unsatisfactory (where approved for use)

Work fails to provide evidence of the achievement of unit learning outcomes and/or professional competencies (where applicable) at an acceptable level.

Unfinalised Results

A - Result Unfinalised - the result will be issued when available.

(b) Administrative results

Administrative results are normally allocated automatically by QUT’s assessment and student management systems.

Finalised Results

E -  Exempt – specified advanced standing is granted (E/4.2.2).

K -  Withdrawn Fail – student cancels their enrolment in the unit after the published withdrawal date for the relevant teaching period (E/4.3.6).

Unfinalised Results

SA - Supplementary Assessment - supplementary assessment granted.

DA - Deferred Assessment - deferred assessment granted.

T - Assessment Continues - studies extend over more than one teaching period.

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5.2.4 Grading system – awards with distinction

Awards with distinction may be awarded in associate degrees, bachelor degrees (except those awarded with honours), graduate diplomas, or masters degrees, to recognise meritorious achievement.

The following grade point averages (GPA) are used in determining eligibility for awards with distinction

• GPA of 5.5 for undergraduate courses, and
• GPA of 5.75 for postgraduate courses.

In exceptional cases, faculty academic boards may recommend to University Academic Board a relaxation of the GPA requirement for a particular graduand.  Such a recommendation must be accompanied by an appropriate rationale.

To be eligible for an award with distinction a graduand must have completed at least 50% of the total credit points required for the course at QUT. Eligibility for awards with distinction for double degrees is based on consideration of the separate component degree. For either degree, only the units associated specifically with that component are taken into account in the GPA calculations used to determine eligibility.

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5.2.5 Grading system – awards with honours

To recognise meritorious achievement, honours are awarded in the following courses:

• Bachelor degrees of 384 credit points or more, which commenced prior to 2012 and where approved by University Academic Board.  To be eligible for an award with honours a graduand must have completed at least 50% of the total credit points required for the course at QUT. Where with honours is awarded on a bachelor degree, the third class honours does not apply and students who do not attain a GPA for a second class honours or higher remain with a bachelor degree without honours. Note: these awards will not be available to commencing students beyond 2014.
• Four year (384 credit point) and one year (96 credit points) bachelor honours degrees which align to AQF Level 8 (C/3.2.3(d)).

Where honours is calculated across the entire course for a course of 384 credit points or more, the following levels of honours are awarded based on the grade point averages (GPA) shown

• Honours I (First Class Honours): GPA of 6.00 – 7.00
• Honours IIA (Second Class Honours, Division A):  GPA of 5.50 – 5.99
• Honours IIB (Second Class Honours, Division B): GPA of 5.00 – 5.49
• Honours III (Third Class Honours):  GPA of less than 5.00 (for AQF level 8 bachelor honours courses only).

Where honours is awarded for a one-year degree or on the final year (or honours component) of a four-year degree, the following levels of honours are awarded based on the grade point averages (GPA) shown

• Honours I (First Class Honours): GPA of 6.50-7.00
• Honours IIA (Second Class Honours, Division A): GPA of 5.50-6.49
• Honours IIB (Second Class Honours, Division B): GPA of 4.50-5.49
• Honours III (Third Class Honours): GPA of less than 4.50.

The calculation of honours may include a weighting on the project or dissertation.

In exceptional cases faculty academic boards may recommend to University Academic Board a relaxation of the GPA requirement for a particular graduand. Such a recommendation must be accompanied by an appropriate rationale.

Eligibility for awards with honours for double degrees is based on consideration of the separate component degree. For either degree, only the units associated specifically with that component are taken into account in the GPA calculations used to determine the level of the award with honours.

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5.2.6 Grade point average

The grade point average (GPA) is a simple numerical index which summarises the student's academic performance in a course in a single teaching period and over the duration of the student's enrolment in the course. The GPA is reported on the Certificate of Results and on the Statement of Academic Record.

Two values of the GPA are given: the GPA for the semester and the GPA in the course.

The GPA calculation includes all attempts at units which are awarded a numeric grade or the result "K" (Withdrawn-Fail) which is converted to a 1. 

The following are not included in the GPA calculation

• unfinalised results
• final grades of "S" (Satisfactory) or "U" (Unsatisfactory)
• units undertaken at another institution
• units where the status recorded is "E" (Exempt).

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Related Documents

MOPP C/5.1 Assessment

MOPP E/6.4 Supplementary assessment

MOPP E/6.5 Allocation and release of results

MOPP E/9.1 Review of grades and academic rulings

MOPP E/10.1 Graduation requirements

MOPP Appendix 1(c) QUT Student Rules

Student Services website

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Modification History

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