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University Grading System and GPA in Singapore

GPA and Percentage on a balance

The university academic grading system varies from one country to another. New students in Singapore can find the university grading system very complex and challenging to comprehend at first.

While each university follows its own grading process, here is a summary of the common  grading system in Singapore:

Autonomous Universities in Singapore

Most of Autonomous Universities in Singapore adopt the Grade Point Average (GPA) system.

NTU, NUS, SUTD and SMU

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), The National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) follow a grading system that computes up to 5.0-grade point. However, Singapore Management University (SMU) adopts a 4.0 grading system.

The table below shows the academic grading system followed by NTU, NUS, SUTD and SMU:

Letter GradeNTU and NUSSUTDSMU
5.0 Scale Grade Point5.0 Scale Grade Point4.0 Scale Grade Point (Mark Range%)
A+5.05.34.3 (>= 86%)
A5.05.04.0 (83-85%)
A-4.54.53.7 (80-82%)
B+4.04.03.3 (77-79%)
B3.53.53.0 (74-76%)
B-3.03.02.7 (70-73%)
C+2.52.52.3 (67-69%)
C2.02.02.0 (64-66%)
C-N.AN.A1.7 (60-63%)
D+1.51.51.3 (53-59%)
D1.01.01.0 (50-52%)
F0.00.00.0 (<= 49%)

Australian Universities with Singapore Campus

James Cook University Singapore (JCUS) and Curtin Singapore are both offering Australian degree programs, therefore their grading system is very different from other universities in Singapore.

As James Cook University and Curtin University are located in different states in Australia, the grading system changes from state to state. Every university might have minor variations in its grading system.

The grading system for James Cook University Singapore is as follows:

GradeDescriptionGrade Point Mark Range (%)
HDPass with High Distinction785-100%
DPass with Distinction675-84%
CPass with Credit565-74%
PPass450-64%
PC*Pass Conceded348-49%
NFail1.5<50%

*may not be used as a prerequisite without permission of the relevant College/Campus Dean

The table below shows the grading system adopted by Curtin Singapore:

GradeDescription Mark Range (%)
10High Distinction100%
9High Distinction90-99%
8High Distinction80-89%
7Distinction70-79%
6Credit60-69%
5Pass50-59%
FFail0-99%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is good GPA in Singapore?

Usually, a 3.0 to 3.5 GPA is considered a good GPA on a 4.0 scale grading system. This is equivalent to a grad “B” above average. A 3.5 GPA is used as a general benchmark when defining a good university GPA. 
For a 5.0 scale grading system, a 4.0 above GPA score or a 4.5 above GPA score is considered a good GPA.