Grading Scale Systems

Grades describe a student’s performance at a particular level. A grading system usually includes a range of numbers, letters or descriptors indicating a level of achievement such as fail, pass, or merit.

Grading systems and marking criteria vary among different education systems and often between different levels of education. Grades can be awarded based on internal (institutional) assessment or external examination, or both. The very nature of grading systems and grading cultures makes it difficult if not impossible to accurately convert grades from one system to another.

Often, grade conversions are made directly by the admitting institution. It is important to examine the grades as presented in the official documents and look to understand them in the context of the education system of the country of origin to make the best possible assessment of the performance of a learner.

Further information:

Information about the grading scale system for ENIC-NARIC countries is available on each country page. Please click on "Countries of the Networks", and then on the name of the country of interest and contact the national information centre of that country for expert assistance.

ECTS Users’ Guide – ECTS Grading Table