Grade calculations, step by step.
A BSc Computer Science example, worked through from individual assessments up to the final degree grade.
The example
BSc Computer Science
A 3-year degree, 120 credits per year. Year 1 doesn't count towards the final grade.
Year 1
120 credits · 0% worth
Intro to Programming
60 credits
Discrete Mathematics
60 credits
Year 2
120 credits · 40% worth
Software Engineering
60 credits
Databases
60 credits
Year 3
120 credits · 60% worth
Final Project
60 credits
Machine Learning
60 credits
Calculating module grades
A module grade is the weighted average of its assessments. Each assessment has a worth (its share of the module) and an achieved grade. Sum the weighted points (achieved) and the total worth of graded work (completed), then divide.
In the calculations below, percentages are shown as decimals. So 50% becomes 0.5, 100% becomes 1, and so on.
Software Engineering
2 of 2 graded
Assessments
78%
64%
Calculation
Achieved
achieved = Σ grade × worth0.78 × 0.5 =0.390.64 × 0.5 =0.320.71 (71%)Completed
completed = Σ worth0.50.51 (100%)Grade
grade = achieved ÷ completed0.71 ÷ 10.71 (71%)Machine Learning
1 of 2 graded
Assessments
74%
-
Calculation
Achieved
achieved = Σ grade × worth0.74 × 0.5 =0.37- × 0.5 =-0.37 (37%)Completed
completed = Σ worth0.5-0.5 (50%)Grade
grade = achieved ÷ completed0.37 ÷ 0.50.74 (74%)The exam hasn't been graded yet, so it's excluded from calculations. It doesn't count as zero, it's simply not included. The current grade reflects only completed work.
Calculating year grades
Year grades are weighted averages of module grades. The weight comes from each module's credits relative to the year's total.
Modules
71%
100% complete
73.6%
100% complete
Calculation
Achieved
achieved = Σ grade × completion × (credits ÷ total credits)0.71 × 1 × (60 ÷ 120) =0.3550.736 × 1 × (60 ÷ 120) =0.3680.723 (72.3%)Completed
completed = Σ completion × (credits ÷ total credits)1 × (60 ÷ 120) =0.51 × (60 ÷ 120) =0.51 (100%)Grade
grade = achieved ÷ completed0.723 ÷ 10.723 (72.3%)Calculating your degree grade
Each year grade is weighted by its worth. Year 1's worth is 0%, so it doesn't affect the final grade.
Years
68.8%
100% complete
72.3%
100% complete
74%
25% complete
Calculation
Achieved
achieved = Σ grade × completion × worth0.688 × 1 × 0 =00.723 × 1 × 0.4 =0.28920.74 × 0.25 × 0.6 =0.1110.4002 (40.02%)Completed
completed = Σ completion × worth1 × 0 =01 × 0.4 =0.40.25 × 0.6 =0.150.55 (55%)Grade
grade = achieved ÷ completed0.4002 ÷ 0.550.7276 (72.76%)What do you need to reach your target?
Pick a target grade. From your current achieved and completed, we work backwards to find the average you need across remaining work to hit it.
Current grade
72.76%
55% complete
Target
70%
First Class
Remaining
45%
of degree
Calculation
Intermediate Steps
required = (target − achieved) ÷ remaining0.7276 × 0.55 =0.40020.7 − 0.4002 =0.29981 − 0.55 =0.45Required Average
required = needed ÷ remaining0.2998 ÷ 0.450.6662 (66.62%)This student needs to average 66.62% across all their remaining assessments to achieve a First Class degree. Since they're currently averaging 72.76%, they're comfortably on track.
Glossary
The terms, in one place
Quick reference for everything we've covered.
achieved- The weighted points accumulated from graded work.
completed- How much of the total work has been graded, as a percentage. Ungraded assessments aren't included.
grade- Your current score across graded work.
worth- How much something contributes to its parent. An assessment's worth is its share of the module; a year's worth is its share of the degree.
credits- How modules are weighted within a year. A 30-credit module has twice the weight of a 15-credit one.
target- A grade you're aiming for. Set one and GradeGuide calculates the average you need across remaining work to hit it.
achieved = Σ grade × worthgrade = achieved ÷ completedReady to track your own degree?