What is NTU Grading System in Singapore? The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of the top-ranking universities in Singapore, and it’s loved by local and international students alike. Learn everything you need to know about their grading system to excel in your academics and achieve your study goals.
A grading system is designed to gauge students’ performance based on various factors, including coursework, exams, laboratory reports, and projects. These grading systems vary from one university to another and from one country to another.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore is one of the most popular universities in the globe. It was ranked 27 in the Best Global Universities list and 15 in the QS World Universities Rankings (WUR) in 2024.
However, that’s not the only reason for its popularity. NTU is known for its unique grading system which differs from other systems that use percentages to grade student performances. If you plan to enroll in NTU, you need a proper understanding of the NTU grading system. This will prepare you for what is expected of you in class, during exams, and on projects. It will also help you plan your time, schedules, and commitments to help achieve the study goals you wish to achieve.
Do you want to learn more about the NTU grading system in Singapore? We prepared this comprehensive guide to help you fully understand what’s expected of you to graduate from the prestigious university.
What is NTU Grading System in Singapore?
The NTU Grading system is a unique grading system developed by the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to measure the performance of students pursuing various programs in the institution. The grading system uses letters and grade points to classify students’ abilities. The system arrives at these letters and points by considering several factors, including:
- Class attendance and participation
- Exams
- Papers
- Laboratory attendance and other physical sessions
- Projects
With these metrics, the university can determine who is eligible for graduation, honors, and other awards. The system employs concepts like Academic Units, CGPA, YGPA, and TGPA to calculate students’ scores. Let’s find out more about these concepts below for a better understanding of the NTU grading system. Understanding Concepts and Abbreviations Used in the NTU Grading System. The following concepts and abbreviations are used in the NTU grading system:
- Grade Point Average (GPA) – it is a number that shows how you scored in your courses on average.
- Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) – a number that measures your academic performance in a given term/semester.
- Year Grade Point Average (YGPA) – a number that shows your average score for all the courses you took in one academic year.
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)– this is a measure of the average grade for all the courses you took over the entire study period for your program. For instance, if your program takes 4 years, your CGPA will be the average score on all courses taken over the four years.
- Academic Unit (AU) – AU represents what counts as the completion of a course, including the required lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, and other practical sessions.
- Final Year Project (FYP) – For most degree programs, you need to complete a unique project in your final year that measures your ability to apply the knowledge gained from studies to solve real-life problems. This project is called the Final Year Project.
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) – It is a grading option that lets you take courses on only two bases, satisfactory or unsatisfactory, away from the letters and grade points. The S/U option ensures the course you’re taking doesn’t affect your CGPA.
- Pass/Fail (P/F) – Similar to S/U, P/F lets you take a course where the only two grade options are pass or fail, no in between like in letter and grade points.
- Transfer credits (TC) – these are credits that you’re permitted to transfer from another institution to your NTU grades. They count in your CGPA and play a role in your graduation requirements.
- In Progress (IP) – If you’ve not completed the Academic Units in a course by the time grading is done, the course is labeled as In Progress (IP). It shows that you’re currently taking the course and it’s yet to be graded.
- Exempted (EX) – If the institution decides you don’t need to take a certain course based on prior qualifications, it will reflect as exempted (EX) on your grades.
- Dean’s List – a special list that recognizes the top-performing students in a class. You need at least a 4.50 YGPA to make the list.
NTU Grading Scale
The NTU grading scale uses letters and grade points to calculate the TGPA and CGPA and grade students’ performance. Below is the NTU letter and grade point scale:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points (GP) | Remarks |
| A+ | 5.00 | Outstanding |
| A | 5.00 | Excellent |
| A- | 4.50 | Very Good |
| B+ | 4.00 | Good |
| B | 3.50 | Satisfactory |
| B- | 3.00 | Acceptable |
| C+ | 2.50 | Above Average |
| C | 2.00 | Average |
| C- | 1.50 | Pass (Needs Improvement) |
| D+ | 1.00 | Barely a Pass |
| F | 0.00 | Fail |
How Grades Are Calculated in the NTU Grading System
To calculate your GPA, NTU sums up your grade points and weighs them against the AU. Let’s use some examples below to demonstrate how:
Calculating TGPA
To calculate the TGPA, the institution sums up all your grade points in a term and multiplies them with the Academic Units. The total is then divided by the total attempted AUs in the term of study. Assuming you took 3 courses in one term. You scored an A, B, and C in the three courses, each with 3 AU.
The TGPA will be : (5×3) + (3.5×3) + (2×3) /9
TGPA= 3.5
Calculating CGPA
The cumulative GPA throughout your study is important. It influences your future career opportunities, higher education, and scholarships. You need a minimum of a 2.50 CGPA score to graduate. To calculate CGPA in the NTU grading system, the school adds the grade points for all the courses taken in your academic career and multiplies them with the AUs for all courses. The total is divided by the total attempted AUs. CGPA determines the honors classification you get. The various classifications include:
| Honors Classification | CGPA |
| First Class Honors | 4.50-5.00 |
| Second Class Honors (Upper Division) | 4.00-4.49 |
| Second Class Honors (Lower Division) | 3.50-3.99 |
| Pass with Merit (Third Class Honors) | 3.00-3.49 |
| Pass | 2.00-2.99 |
How To Get a High CGPA in the NTU Grading System
Studying at a reputable university like NTU is a privilege but also not a walk in the park. The institution ranks high globally by maintaining high standards, which is largely dependent on how students perform. If you are planning to join NTU, here are tips and tricks to get and maintain a high CGPA:
Prioritize Your Study
It goes without saying that to score a high CGPA, you need to do the work. From the start, plan your time and schedule enough time for study. Set goals and have a system that ensures you meet these goals. Above all, avoid procrastination because with procrastination, you blink and before you know it, the first term is gone and you are struggling with the term papers and assignments.
Take the Coursework Seriously
One mistake that students often make is getting too distracted by university life to the point of missing lectures, lab sessions, group projects, and other crucial coursework. While it’s important to be a well-rounded student with more than an academic life, remember its academics that took you to university. Attend lectures and ensure you have achieved the required Academic Units.
Balance Between Core and Elective Units
Both core and elective units determine your overall CGPA. Most learners focus too much on the units that are related to their majors while ignoring elective units like communication, business, and technology. Allot sufficient study time for both core and elective units to avoid excelling in one and failing terribly in the other.
Prepare Well For Exams
If you want to get a high CGPA, you have to do good in your exams. What you learned during the lectures and other sessions isn’t enough. You need to revise your notes, make summary notes, collaborate with classmates in study groups, etc. Past exam papers will also give you a picture of what sort of questions and tests to anticipate.
Seek Expert Help
Despite all your efforts at studying hard for your assignments and exams, you may find some topics hard to understand. That’s why there are trained teachers and experts to assist you. You can consult your lecturers, laboratory technicians, and other experts at the university for clarification.
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