No doubt you’ve heard the term grade point average or more likely GPA before, but if you’re left wondering, what is GPA meaning and how does it work with university study, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover everything you need to know about GPA in Australia.
What does GPA mean?
When it comes to academic performance, the Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial metric used by universities around the world, including those in Australia. A GPA is a numerical representation (typically using the numbers 1 through to 100) of a student’s academic achievements, calculated by averaging the grades received in their courses. This means your assignment and exam results for each course you study will all impact your overall GPA.
This system allows universities to assess and compare the academic performance of students in a standardised way – ‘standardised’ meaning there is a consistent approach to make sure students’ academic achievement is calculated all in the same way, so the comparison is fair. In Australia, GPAs play a significant role in university admissions, scholarship decisions, and even some job applications, making it essential for students to understand how they work and how to maintain a strong GPA.
Understand the grading system
Let’s breakdown each grade within the GPA system and explain what they mean.
Common grading scale
High Distinction (HD): 85-100
Distinction (D): 75-84
Credit (C): 65-74
Pass (P): 50-64
Fail (F): Below 50
These numbers may be presented as percentages or just scores corresponding to an alphabetical grade as seen above. You may be thinking what is a good GPA? Thankfully it’s simple, the higher the better when it comes to GPA. Receiving a HD shows an exceptional performance and a deep understanding of the subject matter indicating that you’ve gone above and beyond the requirements.
Converting your grades to numerical values
Sometimes you might notice that you receive a grade that’s different to what’s in the table above. So let’s look at some examples of converting the other ways you might receive grades to the GPA system.
7 = High Distinction
6 = Distinction
5 = Credit
4 = Pass
3 = Fail
A = Above 85 or a HD
B = 70-84 or Credit or Distinction
C = 51-59 or Pass
D = 31-50 or Fail
There will likely be fluctuations in how these scores are converted to the GPA system, with differences such as decimal scores (6.5) or limitations in how a B grade is assessed into a Distinction or Credit category.
Is GPA used at every university in Australia?
The grading systems at universities across Australia can vary significantly depending on the state and institution.
There are some state specific changes such as New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. These regions often use the HD/CR/P/F grading system, which is widely accepted and easy to understand. Victorian universities frequently use a numerical grading system like the common scale but may have slight differences in percentage ranges.
Understanding these variations is crucial, especially if you’re looking to transfer between universities or states, as it helps in accurately interpreting academic performance and meeting specific admission requirements.
Calculate the weighted GPA
As you study your degree at university after each trimester/semester you’ll receive grades for each course you study which on their own can’t tell you much about your overall GPA, that’s where calculating your weighted GPA comes in.
Each course you study will have a ‘credit point’ assigned. This determines its weight against other courses. As an example, Psychological Skills C might have 1 credit point compared to Psychology Honours Project with 4 credit points. So how does that factor into calculating your GPA?
Let’s step through it.
- Convert your grades to a single digit numerical value such as 6 or 5.7, using the above conversions.
- Determine the credit points for each course you’ve studied which should be in a number format the same as your grades. Typically, with courses at UniSQ, you can find out the number of credit points for each course via the UniSQ Handbook associated with the degree you’re studying.
- Now multiply your grade points by the credit points of each one you’re calculating like this:
Course A = 6 (grade point) x 2 (credit point) = weighted grade
Course B = 5 (grade point) x 1 (credit point) = weighted grade - Now add up the weighted grades
- Total all the credit points you used in the calculation.
- Divide the total weighted grades by the total number of credit points. For example, from above 17 divide by 3 = 5.6 which would be your weighted GPA.
When you do this for real, there’ll likely be a lot more numbers to add up and use in your calculation but once you’ve completed the above steps you’ll have your weighted GPA.
If all your courses were only assigned 1 credit point then it’s much easier to figure out your GPA as it’ll just be calculating an average.
A formula to calculate your average GPA in Australia would be:
Sum of all your grades (7+6+5.5+5.9 = 24.4 ) divide by the number of grades you added up (4) which in this example would mean you have an average GPA of 6.1.
Use University-Specific Tools and Resources
We’ve stepped you through GPAs meaning, how it’s used at universities, the varying grading systems and calculating your weighted GPA but what if you just want a tool or resource to do it for you? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s a few GPA calculators in Australia to use if you want to give your brain a break and take away the manual work.
- Scholaro: is a free online GPA calculator that allows you to choose the grading scale by Australian states and some universities. It can also convert your GPA to the United States equivalent scale which might come in handy for international study.
- CalculateGrades: is another free online calculator that lets you pick the university to use for the GPA calculation which is useful when there can be variations depending on state and the university you’re looking to study with.
When planning to study at a university, it’s crucial to check the institution’s specific guidelines for GPA calculation methods. Different universities may use varying scales and weightings, which can significantly impact your academic standing and eligibility for certain degrees or scholarships.
By understanding these guidelines, you can better prepare your application, set realistic academic goals, and ensure that your efforts align with the university’s expectations. Taking this step not only helps you stay informed but also positions you for success in your study journey.
To wrap it all up, GPA is a crucial measure of academic performance, calculated by averaging the weighted grades of your courses. Understanding how it works is vital for tracking academic progress and unlocking opportunities like scholarships, honours, and degree eligibility.
At UniSQ, a variety of resources and support services are available to help you achieve your academic goals, providing guidance and tools to excel in your studies and reach the GPA you are after and make the most of your journey.
