German Grading System: The Simplified Guide
Germany's higher education system is known for its high standards and reputation. Living and studying costs are also quite affordable because German education is largely tuition-free.
Currently Germany counts 416,437 international students across its higher education institutions, a number that is on the rise on a yearly basis. International students will find a lot of support in this fascinating, cosmopolitan country. But to make your process of adapting to the educational system in Germany easier, we’ve compiled this guide on German grading system.
Germany's universities use a 1 to 6 (or 5) point grading system to assess students' academic performance. 1 and 6 indicate two extremes. Getting a 1 on your exam means you completed 90 to 100% of your task; on the other hand, getting a 6 means you did not reach the minimum standard.
Germany's education system awards grades as follows:
| Grade | Description | Pass or Fail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sehr gut; very good, outstanding results. | Pass |
| 2 | Gut; good, meets expectations. | Pass |
| 3 | Befriedigend; satisfactory, average. | Pass |
| 4 | Ausreichend; sufficient, average with minor deficiencies | Pass |
| 5 | Mangelhaft; deficient, minimum expectations still need to be met. | Fail |
| 6 | Ungenügend; inadequate, Candidate fails to demonstrate understanding of even the most basic points. | Fail |
Passau University uses the following grading scale:
| Mark | Description | Pass or Fail |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 - 1.3 | Sehr gut – Very good | Pass |
| 1.7 - 2.3 | Gut – Good | Pass |
| 2.7 - 3.3 | Befriedigend – Satisfactory | Pass |
| 3.7 - 4.0 | Ausreichend – Sufficient | Pass |
| 4.3 - 5.0 | Mangelhaft – Deficient | Fail |
German Grading Compared to the United States Grading
According to the American system, you'll be considered to have good academic standing if your grade ranges between 4.1 and 4.9 in the German grading system.
| German Grades | U.S. Grade |
|---|---|
| 1.0 -1.5 | A |
| 1.6 - 2.5 | B |
| 2.6 - 3.5 | C |
| 3.6 - 4.9 | D |
| 5.0 - 6.0 | F |
German Grading Compared to British Grading
If we compare the German grading system to alternative educational systems, such as the UK grading system, the grades are evaluated as follows:
| German Grades | British Grades |
|---|---|
| 1.0 - 1.3 | A |
| 1.7 - 2.3 | B |
| 2.7 - 3.3 | C |
| 3.7 - 4.0 | D |
Under the UK grading system, German grades below this grade (4.0) are considered failures (F).
German Grading Compared to Indian Percentage
According to the German grading system, your GPA would be lower if you had a higher Indian percentage.
| German Grades | Indian Percentage |
|---|---|
| 1.0 - 1.5 | 90-100% |
| 1.6 - 2.5 | 80-90% |
| 2.6 - 3.5 | 65-80% |
| 3.6 - 4.0 | 50-65% |
| 4.1 - 5.0 | 0-50% |
What Is The ECTS Grade?
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, a common European grading system designed to facilitate academic exchange among EU countries. Many EU students choose to study abroad in other parts of the continent, and the interpretation of the grading system varies based on the university; thus, such a mutual grading system has become necessary.
ECTS enables higher education institutions throughout EU countries to easily assess and compare the academic scores of their EU students. However, remember that ECTS doesn’t intend to replace the grades you receive at the German university where you wish to enroll but rather to facilitate the assessment of your actual academic credits.
As a result, ECTSs are optional, and universities can use them according to their grading policies; usually, ECTS grades appear alongside national grades in your transcript.
GPA Requirements to Study in Germany
If you want to pursue higher education in German educational institutions, Germany is an outstanding country to consider. Its higher education system is excellent, the programs are comprehensive and efficient.
German universities may have different grade requirements based on the course, the university, etc. For a middle-profile course, the minimum grade requirement is 2.5, for a high-profile study program, 1.5. And for a low-profile course, no specific requirements apply.
Top universities in Germany and their GPA requirements:
| University | GPA Requirements |
|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | A minimum of 4.5 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | A minimum of 4.5 |
| Berlin Institute of Technology | A minimum of 4.5 |
| Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg | A minimum of 3.2 |
| Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen | A minimum of 3.2 |
| Free University of Berlin | A minimum of 3.0 |
| RWTH Aachen University | A minimum of 2.5 |
Find more information on requirements to study in Germany for international students.
Is 2.7 a Good Grade in Germany?
On a 4.0 GPA scale, a 2.7 GPA corresponds to a B- letter grade, equivalent to 80-82%. 2.7 is below the national average of 3.0, which means it is getting close to the average.
What Is a GPA of 3.0 in Germany?
3.0 is good; you have achieved a satisfactory level of achievement, but you can improve further.
What Grade Is 70 Percent in Germany?
On a German scale, your GPA would be 2.80.
What Is the Minimum CGPA Required in Germany?
A CGPA of 7 or 70% is the minimum requirement for a Masters in Germany. However, to be admitted to a world-class university, you will need the best IELTS score and a CGPA of around 8.5.
Is IELTS Required in Germany?
Germany requires IELTS for English-taught courses. However, it is not mandatory since it is not an English-speaking country.
What Is Considered a Good Grade in Germany?
A student with a 3.0 or above mark at a German university is considered an A or B student in the American system, while anything between 4.1 and 4.9 is considered a good grade.
How to Calculate The Final Grade in Germany?
To calculate your final grade you can use Erudera's Final Grade Calculator.
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