Grading System
COVID-19 - Special Circumstance Grade
Due to the challenges of moving to online learning, it was determined that fail grades* would not be recorded for this session.
Note: * This does not include fail grades applied by either a University or Faculty Disciplinary Committee.
How this will work?
We’ve introduced a Special Circumstance (SC) grade. For this session only, if you don’t pass a unit:
- your results notification email will display an SC grade for that unit, and the mark you achieved
- your official transcript will just display the SC grade - no mark
- If you have an SC grade the corresponding mark will not be included in your WAM calculation ie. if you fail one of four units the WAM calculator will only use the marks of the three units you passed in your WAM calculation
You can find more information about the Special Circumstance grade in our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Special Circumstance - Frequently Asked Questions
Why have I got an SC grade and what does it mean?
A Special Circumstance or SC grade is awarded to students that do not meet the assessment requirements of a unit. It is only applicable to specific study periods impacted by COVID-19. If you don’t pass a unit:
- your results notification email will display an SC grade for that unit, and the mark you achieved.
- the corresponding mark will not be included in your WAM calculation
- your official transcript will just display just the SC grade, however no mark will be displayed.
What can I tell prospective employers?
The University decided that due to the unique situation and impacts caused by COVID-19, coupled with students having to adjust to completing their unit in an online environment, it was deemed that awarding students who haven’t met the unit requirements a Fail grade was not appropriate.
What’s the difference between a W grade and an SC grade?
Students that submit a Withdraw without Academic and/or Financial Penalty may not face a Financial Penalty, however students awarded an SC grade will still be required to pay for their unit.
Can I appeal it?
Yes, an SC grade can be appealed. Refer to Grade Appeals for more information.
Do I need to redo a unit if I’ve received an SC grade?
An SC grade means that you have not successfully completed the requirements of the unit. If the unit is a requirement for your degree, you will need to complete it in order to meet the requirements of your degree. If the unit is an elective, you may choose to re-enrol into it at a later date or select a different elective unit.
Does an SC grade count for credit towards my degree?
No, as an SC grade indicates that the unit requirements have not been met, it will not count for credit towards your degree.
If I pass but with a 51 or 52 (or similarly low mark) can I elect to get a SC grade instead?
No, if you are awarded a Pass grade, you are not able to elect to receive an SC grade.
How does an SC grade affect my academic standing/progression?
For this term only, we have relaxed the rules around Academic Progression. If you do not pass 51% of the load you attempted in Session 1 2020, you WILL NOT be subject to the Academic Progression process. Therefore, an SC grade has no negative impact on your academic standing.
If I receive an SC grade for an elective, do I have to repeat the same elective?
As the unit is an elective, you can choose whether to repeat the unit or not, however, you should note that some degrees have requirements regarding the number and type of electives you can select. If you started your degree in 2020 refer to the Course Handbook, however, if you started prior to 2020 you should refer to your Study Plan.
Do I have to pay to reattempt a unit I received an SC grade for?
Yes, you will be required to pay for reattempting any units that you receive an SC grade for.
Grading System from 2001
For units offered by Macquarie University
Standardised Numerical Grade/Mark 1 | Description | |
Grade HD | 85-100 | denotes performance which meets all unit objectives in such an exceptional way and |
Grade D | 75-84 | denotes performance which clearly deserves a very high level of recognition as |
Grade Cr | 65·74 | denotes performance which is substantially better than would normally be expected |
Grade P | 50-64 | denotes performance which satisfies unit objectives. |
Grade PC 2 | 45-49 | denotes performance which meets unit objectives only marginally. |
Grade S | N/A | denotes performance which satisfies unit objectives in a unit which grades only Pass/Fail. |
Grade F | N/A | denotes that a candidate has failed to complete a unit satisfactorily. |
| SC | 0-49 | Due to COVID-19 the fail grade in Session 1/Term 2 will not be recorded and it will appear as a Special Circumstance grade |
Grade FH | 49 | denotes that a candidate has obtained a raw mark over 50, |
Description | |
Status IS | indicates that the unit is incomplete and that a special examination is granted. |
Status [A] | indicates that the unit is incomplete for administrative reasons. |
Status I | indicates that the unit is incomplete. |
Status W | denotes withdrawn without penalty. |
Status K | indicates that enrolment in a postgraduate unit or honours program continued over more than one half year. |
Status Z | indicates that a thesis or dissertation has been submitted and is being assessed.| |
Status U* | indicates that a result is not finalised and/or not yet released (U* status = UD, UJ, UL, UE) |
Grade Point Average and Weighted Average Mark
Admitted to a course from 2020 | Weighted Average Mark (WAM) replaces GPA calculation |
Admitted to a course prior to 2017, completed before 2020 | Grade Point Average (GPA) is a calculation out of 4 |
Admitted to a course from 2017, completed before 2020 | Grade Point Average (GPA) is a calculation out of 7 |
Admitted to a course at Macquarie University International College, | Grade Point Average (GPA) is a calculation out of 7 |
For units offered by other tertiary institution
Grade F | denotes that a candidate has failed to complete a unit satisfactorily. |
Grade S | denotes performance which satisfies unit objectives in a unit which grades only Pass/Fail. |
Status I | indicates that the unit is incomplete |
Status W | denotes withdrawn without penalty. |
Grading System Prior to 2001
For units offered by Macquarie University
Grade A | denotes work of superior quality. This may be demonstrated in areas such as criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. This grade may also be awarded to recognise particular originality or creativity in student performance. |
Grade B | denotes work of predominantly good quality, demonstrating sound grasp of content together with efficient organisation, selectivity and use of techniques. |
Grade C | denotes a clear pass and satisfactory achievement of unit objectives. |
Grade CQ | denotes, for a unit taken after 1982, a pass which is marginal. |
Grade F | indicates that the student has failed to complete the unit satisfactorily. |
Grade P | represents a pass in a unit for which only one grade of pass is used. |
Grade S | represents attendance and satisfactory participation in a postgraduate seminar unit in which an examination was not required. |
Letter I | indicates that the unit is incomplete. |
Letter W | denotes withdrawn without penalty. |
Letter K | indicates that enrolment in a postgraduate unit or honours program continued over more than one half year. |
Letter Z | indicates that a thesis or dissertation has been submitted and is being assessed. |
For units offered by other tertiary institution
Grade P | indicates that the student has completed the unit satisfactorily. For specific grades refer to the transcript from that institution. |
Grade F | indicates that the student has failed to complete the unit satisfactorily |
Letter I | indicates that the unit is incomplete. |
Letter W | denotes withdrawn without penalty. |
CRICOS Provider No 00002J
1. From 2020 “Standardised Numerical Grade” replaced by “Mark”
2. From 2011 Grade PC is no longer awarded
For further information visit our Transcipts webpage