Academic Standing & Grades

For more information on Grades, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Section of the University Calendar.

Graduate Grading System

    

The normal passing grade for graduate courses is is C+ on the University of Alberta's letter grading system (see below).

As a minimum, graduate students must also maintain a minimum cumulative program grade point average of 2.7 throughout their program.

Note: This is a Faculty minimum requirement; departments may require higher grades.

  

The University of Alberta's letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages came into effect September 1, 2003.
There is no direct conversion for graduate grades between the 4-point system the former 9-point scale. Contact your department for more information.

If the cumulative program grade point average falls between 2.3 and 2.7 or below a department-required standard, departments may recommend termination of program or continuation in the program for a specified probationary period. See Academic Probation.

Notwithstanding the above, a student whose academic standing falls below a grade point average of 2.7 may be required to withdraw at any time.

The above are minimum grades and grade point averages acceptable to the FGSR. Individual departments may require higher grades than these.

Course Grades Obtained by Graduate Students

Descriptor
Alpha
Grade
Grade
Point
Value

Excellent
  A+
4.0
  
  A
4.0
  
  A-
3.7
  
Good
  B+
3.3
  
  B
3.0
 Minimum admission GPA
Satisfactory
  B-
2.7
 Minimum Academic Standing GPA
  C+
2.3
 Minimum Course Pass Mark
Failure
  C
2.0
  
  C-
1.7
  
  D+
1.3
  
  D
1.0
  
  F
0.0