This page is designed to provide you with assistance on how to calculate your final Degree Award GPA and how to determine what your final degree classification is. This will provide you with an indication of what your final Degree Award GPA and classification are likely to be. It is important that you follow all the steps outlined on this page to get an accurate calculation.
Disclaimer: Please note that the recommendation of final awards (and class, if appropriate) is the responsibility of your Programme Examination Board. Until your results have been formally ratified and released by your Programme Examination Board, all results remain provisional and are for indicative purposes only.
| Degree Award GPA |
The Degree Award GPA is the weighted average of all the modules you have taken that count towards your degree. It is calculated as follows: The Degree Award GPA calculation is as follows: ((Weighting*GPA Credit*Grade Point)/(GPA Credits*Weighting)). The Degree GPA calculation first calculates the values of the GPA and then rounds it to 2 decimal places if required. |
| Degree Award Rule |
An Award GPA Rule is used to determine the Degree Award GPA you receive for your programme. This is the method by which the results you have achieved in modules throughout your programme are added together to determine your degree award classification. |
| Degree Award Classification |
The degree award classification is the culmination of all your learning achievements in your degree. The university’s degree awards are aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications. |
| GPA |
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. When you have completed all the modules of a Stage, all your grade points are averaged to get a Grade Point Average, or GPA, for that Stage. |
| Credit |
The number of credits awarded for passing a module is referred to as that module’s credit value. These credits align to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The credit value of a module corresponds to the approximate number of hours of student effort required to achieve the learning outcomes of a module. In UCD, modules can be 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20 and 30 ECTS. |
| Module Grade |
Further information on Grades is available in the section Understanding Grades. |
| Grade Points |
Each grade has a number associated with it, called a grade point. This is used to combine grades in all your modules, and calculate an average score. See Understanding Grades for more information. |
| Neutral Credits (XG) |
Neutral Credits are depicted as XG in degree award GPA calculations, they are assigned a value of 0. Neutral credits are often assigned to types of learning that take place outside of UCD e.g. placements, practical work experience, Erasmus or Internal trimesters/years. Pass/Fail credits are also GPA Neutral as are transfer credits from a previously completed UCD programme or those from another institution. |
| Weighting |
Weighting describes the value to be assigned to each of your programme’s stages, which will determine how they contribute to your degree. See your programme’s Degree Award Rule to determine how each stage should be weighted in the Degree Award GPA calculation. |
Step 1: Know your Programme’s Award GPA Rule
An Award GPA Rule is used to determine the Degree Award GPA you receive for your programme. This is the method by which the results you have achieved in modules throughout your programme are added together to determine your degree award classification.
Information on your programme’s Award GPA Rule can be found on the UCD Programme Menu. Any queries relating to your programme’s Award GPA Rules should be directed to your College/School Office. An example of a Award GPA Rule and Degree Award Classification:
Step 2: Understand what stages contribute to your Degree Award GPA calculation
In UCD, there are four methods by which programmes can calculate taught degree awards. See Academic Regulations, sections 2.7 - 2.9. Click on the links below to understand what stages contribute to your Degree Award GPA calculation:
Students who spend a year or trimester studying abroad or engaged in learning activities outside of UCD as part of their programme, such as a work placements or internship, may be awarded GPA Neutral credit (see Jargon Buster above for further information). Click on the links below to understand what stages contribute to your Degree Award GPA calculation if you have taken a year or trimester outside of UCD:
Step 3: Understand how your Degree Award GPA is calculated
The Degree Award GPA is the weighted average of all the modules you have taken that count towards your degree. It is calculated as follows: ((Weighting*GPA Credit*Grade Point)/(GPA Credits*Weighting)). The Degree GPA calculation first calculates the values of the GPA and then rounds it to two decimal places if required.
For this calculation, you will need to know the grade points associated with each grade. This is used to combine grades in all your modules, and calculate an average score. See Understanding Grades for more information.
If you have any questions relating to your modules e.g. they are missing, or you are not sure which modules are to be included in your Degree Award GPA calculation, please contact your College/School Office.
Click on the relevant calculation to see a sample of how a programme’s final Degree Award GPA is calculated:
Step 4: Determine your final Degree Award Classification
When you have calculated your final Degree Award GPA, you now have all the information you need to determine your final degree classification.
Information on UCD’s Award Classifications can be found in the Academic Regulations, in section 2.5.
In general, they are as follows:
