Understanding the Singapore GPA Grading System
- Table of Contents Â
- 1Â Is the maximum GPA score 4 or 5 in Singapore?
- 2Â Grade Point Table of NTU
- 3Â Grade Point Table Of NUS
- 4Â Grade Point Table of SMU
- 5Â Grade Point Table of SUTD
- 6Â Grade Point Table of SUSS
- 7Â Conclusion
- 8Â FAQs Related To GPA Grading System Singapore
- 8.1Â Q.1 Which Singapore university uses the bell curve method?
- 8.2Â Q.2 Does A & A+ have the same grade points according to the Singapore GPA grading system?
- 8.3Â Q.3 How is the GPA of a student in Singapore calculated?
- 8.4Â Q.4 What is a good GPA in Singapore?
- 8.5Â Q.5 I am an international student in Singapore. How can I convert my GPA to the Singapore GPA system?
- 8.6Â Q.6 What is a good GPA on a 5.0 scale?
- 8.7Â Q.7 How much does GPA matter in Singapore?
- 8.8Â Q.8 What does F grade denotes?
- 8.9Â Q.9 What is 70% as a grade in uni?
- 8.10Â Q.10 What is GPA Singapore?
Navigating the grading system in Singapore can be essential for students aiming to achieve academic success and secure opportunities in the competitive job market. This article aims to demystify the GPA (Grade Point Average) grading system in Singapore, providing a comprehensive overview of its structure and variations across different universities.
1. Overview of the GPA System in Singapore:
The GPA is a numerical representation of a student’s academic performance, reflecting an average score across all completed modules. In Singapore, the GPA is typically calculated on a 4.0 or 5.0 scale, depending on the university. The higher the GPA, the better the academic performance.
2. Universities Adopting GPA Grading:
The six local autonomous universities in Singapore that use the GPA grading system are the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
3. Calculation of GPA:
To calculate the GPA, students need to divide the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Quality points are assigned based on the letter grades obtained in each module, and these grades are associated with specific percentage ranges.
4. Maximum GPA Scores:
The maximum GPA score varies across universities. For NUS, NTU, SUSS, and SIT, the maximum GPA is typically 5.00, with grade A or A+ corresponding to this top score. However, it’s essential to note that each university may have slight variations in their GPA scales.
5. Grade Point Tables for Different Universities:
a. Nanyang Technological University (NTU):
follows a five-point scale. The table below shows how each letter grade corresponds to a percentage range and the point system:
| ​​Letter Grade | ​Grade Point |
| A+ | 5.00 |
| ​A | 5.00 |
| ​A- | 4.50 |
| B+ | 4.00 |
| B | 3.50 |
| B- | 3.00 |
| ​C+ | ​2.50 |
| ​C | ​2.00 |
| D+ | ​1.50 |
| D | 1.00 |
| F | ​0.00​ |
b. National University of Singapore (NUS):
With a grade point table of National University of Singapore (NUS), students can see how they rank among their peers in terms or grades over time. The arrangement shows who has been doing well and where there might be room for improvement with regards to future studies.
The NUS Grading system is meant give you insight on what areas need work so that next semester won’t feel like such an uphill battle!
| GRADE | GRADE POINT |
| A+ | 5.0 |
| A | |
| A- | 4.5 |
| B+ | 4.0 |
| B | 3.5 |
| B- | 3.0 |
| C+ | 2.5 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D+ | 1.5 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0 |
c. Singapore Management University (SMU):
The Singapore Management University (SMU) has a slightly different GPA system, in which the maximum score is 4.0 instead of 5.0. SMU grading system table is as follows:
| Grade | Grade Point | Mark Range (%) |
| A+ | 4.3 | 86 and above |
| A | 4.0 | 83 to 85 |
| A- | 3.7 | 80 to 82 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 77 to 79 |
| B | 3.0 | 74 to 76 |
| B- | 2.7 | 70 to 73 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 66 to 69 |
| C | 2.0 | 63 to 65 |
| C- | 1.7 | 60 to 62 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 53 to 59 |
| D | 1.0 | 50 to 52 |
| F | 0 | 49 and below |
d. Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD):
SUTD changed its grading system from a traditional 5-point scale to one with more categories, including A+ which is worth 5.3 points on this new SUTD grading system, which was updated from the year 2017.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point | Remarks |
| A+ | 5.30 | Exceptional performance |
| A | 5.00 | Excellent performance |
| A- | 4.50 | Excellent performance in most aspects |
| B+ | 4.00 | Very good performance |
| B | 3.50 | Very good performance in most aspects |
| B- | 3.00 | Good performance |
| C+ | 2.50 | Fairly good performance |
| C | 2.00 | Satisfactory performance |
| D+ | 1.50 | Improvement needed |
| D | 1.00 | Minimally acceptable performance with much improvement needed |
| F | 0 | Fail |
e. Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS):
The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) adopts a modular system for its part-time & full-time graduate programmes.
A student’s final grade point average (GPA) will be determined by the average of the grades achieved for all modules taken during the course of study, on a 5-point scale.
The table below shows how the grading system of SUSS is equivalents for its modules.Â
| MARK | LETTER GRADE | GRADE POINT VALUE |
| 85-100 | A+ | 5.00 |
| 80-84 | A | 4.50 |
| 75-79 | A- | 4.00 |
| 70-74 | B+ | 3.50 |
| 65-69 | B | 3.00 |
| 60-64 | B- | 2.50 |
| 55-59 | C+ | 2.00 |
| 50-54 | C | 1.50 |
| 45-49 | D+ | 1.00 |
| 40-44 | D | 0.50 |
| 0-39 | F | 0 |
6. FAQs Related to Singapore GPA Grading System:
a. Which Singapore University Uses the Bell Curve Method?
- NTU and NUS use the bell curve method to calculate GPA, considering the distribution of grades. The average GPA is set at 3.0, and grades are distributed around that average according to a bell curve.
b. Does A & A+ Have the Same Grade Points According to the Singapore GPA Grading System?
- Different universities in Singapore have different grading systems. SMU, SUTD, and SUSS assign different GPAs to A and A+, while NTU and NUS consider both A and A+ to have the same GPA of 5.00.
c. How Is the GPA of a Student in Singapore Calculated?
- The GPA is calculated by summing the grade points obtained in all modules and dividing it by the total number of modular credits attempted.
d. What Is a Good GPA in Singapore?
- In Singapore, a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5 is considered good, as many universities require at least a GPA of 3.0 for admission into their programs.
e. How Can International Students in Singapore Convert Their GPA?
- International students can convert their GPA to the Singapore GPA system by knowing their university’s grading system and using a GPA conversion calculator.
f. What Does F Grade Denote?
- An F grade typically denotes a failure to meet the minimal academic requirements of a course, which can negatively impact GPA.
g. What Is 70% as a Grade in Uni?
- The grade corresponding to 70% varies across universities. According to SMU, 70% corresponds to a grade of B+.
h. How Much Does GPA Matter in Singapore?
- GPA is one of the factors considered by universities in admissions. However, other factors like extracurricular activities and personal statements are also crucial.
Conclusion:
Understanding the GPA grading system in Singapore is pivotal for students aiming to excel in their academic pursuits. Each university follows its own grading scale, and variations in the maximum GPA score and grade point assignments exist. It’s essential for students to be familiar with their university’s grading system and strive for a competitive GPA to enhance their academic and professional prospects. If you have any further questions or concerns about the GPA system in Singapore, feel free to seek guidance from academic advisors or university officials. Your GPA is not only a reflection of your academic abilities but also a valuable asset as you embark on your educational journey in Singapore.
