The grading system at university differs from secondary school. Credit points (ECTS), weighted averages and distinctions like cum laude play an important role. Here we explain how it works.
Credit points (ECTS)
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) are credit points that indicate a course's study load:
- 1 ECTS = 28 hours study load (lectures, self-study, exam)
- A full academic year = 60 ECTS
- Bachelor = 180 ECTS (3 years), Master = 60-120 ECTS (1-2 years)
Grading scale
Dutch universities use grades from 1-10, but the interpretation is stricter than in secondary school:
- 10: Outstanding - extremely rare, virtually perfect
- 9: Very good - excellent performance, rare
- 8: Good - above average, good performance
- 7: More than sufficient - meets requirements well
- 6: Sufficient - just meets requirements
- 5 or lower: Insufficient - failed
At universities, the passing threshold is usually 5.5 (rounded to a 6), sometimes 5.45.
Calculating weighted average
Your study average (GPA) is calculated as a weighted average where ECTS are the weighting factor:
GPA = Σ(grade × ECTS) / Σ(ECTS)
Example: Course A: 7 (6 ECTS), Course B: 8 (3 ECTS), Course C: 6 (6 ECTS). GPA = (7×6 + 8×3 + 6×6) / (6+3+6) = (42+24+36)/15 = 102/15 = 6.8
Graduating cum laude
For excellent performance, you can graduate with distinction:
- Cum laude: average ≥ 8.0 (exact requirement varies per university)
- Magna cum laude: sometimes used for average ≥ 8.5
- Summa cum laude: sometimes used for average ≥ 9.0
The exact requirements differ per university and faculty. Besides the average, the thesis often counts and there may be no retakes allowed.
Binding study advice (BSA)
In your first year of study, you receive a BSA. This is a minimum number of ECTS you must obtain to continue your studies.
The required number of ECTS varies per program (usually 40-50 of the 60 ECTS). If you don't achieve this, you must stop the program at that institution.
Calculate your study average
Use our calculator to calculate your weighted average based on ECTS. Useful to see if you're on track for cum laude or to monitor your progress.