Conversion of international grades
How should grades obtained at universities abroad be converted to Dutch grades? What is the Dutch equivalent of an ‘A' obtained at Harvard, or of a ‘27' at the University of Siena? What does it mean to have an Indonesian ‘B+' or a Lithuanian ‘labai gerai'?
Conversion of grades obtained abroad
The examination board can make use of three different methods to convert the international acquired grades to Dutch grades. The methods are mentioned below in the order in which they are applied:
1. Egracons
With this website (which is not available for students) the examination board can compare grades based on frequency tables. Frequency tables show the frequencies of the grades that have been awarded at a particular university.
If the frequency tables of the partner university are not available on Egracons the examination board moves to method 2>
2. Frequency table of the partner university
Sometimes frequency tables are available via the partner university or are already part of the transcript. If this is the case the grades will be converted based on the frequency table.
If this is not possible the examination board moves to method 3>
3. Conversion of Grades at Radboud University document
The Executive Board has made a document called Conversion of Grades at Radboud University. (pdf, 672 kB) This document gives an overview of most of the countries and international universities that Radboud University collaborates with, and provides an overview of the grading systems used there. It serves as a useful guideline for converting grades obtained abroad Please be aware that this document is a guideline; the examination boards of Radboud University therefore remain responsible for all decisions concerning grades.
Not translated on diploma supplement
Grading systems differ greatly from country to country, and may even differ between universities within a country. It is important that every grade can be traced back to the university where it was obtained. This information must never be lost. For this reason, the Executive Board has decided that grades obtained abroad will not be ‘translated' on the diploma supplement. Instead, the diploma supplement will state the original grades - as well as the name of the university or universities where they were obtained.
Conversion of grades obtained in Nijmegen
The other question is: how should Radboud University grades be converted abroad? A tool is available for international universities and employers for this ‘in-out' conversion. This tool is a frequency table that indicates how often the various grades are given at Radboud University Nijmegen. Every diploma supplement will include this frequency table.
Grading Table
The Dutch grading system is an absolute grading system. Grades are awarded on a scale from 0 to 10, 0 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. Grades from 6 upwards are regarded as 'pass'. In order to be awarded a diploma at Radboud University, all grades must be at least a 6. In other words, one grade above 6 cannot compensate for another that is below 6.
To facilitate the comparison between the Dutch grading system and other related grading systems, a table will be included with the diploma supplement which shows how often each grade (6 - 10) is awarded.