Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore is one of the top-ranked universities in the world. It offers various courses with promising career prospects. But getting into NTU and securing good job opportunities after graduation is highly competitive. Moreover, the NTU grading system in Singapore is also unique. Therefore, to succeed in academics, it is essential to know how NTU grades its students. You might think you can learn the grading system once you are in university, but it is better to understand it beforehand. If you wish to learn about the Nanyang Technological University grading system in Singapore, then continue reading this blog. Here, we have shared everything about the grading system of NTU in Singapore. With this knowledge, you can prepare and work towards achieving better grades than your competitors.
What is the NTU Grading System?
NTU is a renowned university that follows a unique grading system to prepare students for the real world. It is mainly designed to help students evaluate their readiness for their future careers. Typically, NTU uses a 5-point grading system to measure the academic performance of students.
Components of the NTU Grading System
Here, let us look at the important components of the NTU Grading System
Academic Unit (AU)
At NTU, each course will have an ‘Academic Unit (AU) that measures its workload. It will help you understand how much time and effort you will need for a course. Moreover, knowing about AU will help you plan your time and workload for each course. The more AUs a course has, the more it will affect your grades.
Typically, the AU value is calculated based on class time:
1 hour of class per week = 1 AU
3 hours of lab/fieldwork per week = 1 AU
To obtain a graduation, you must complete a certain number of AUs.
Grading Scale of NTU
If you are in the process of understanding the NTU grading system, you must know how the university grades students and what their grades mean. Usually, NTU will calculate your Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) using the NTU grading scale. These scores will reflect your performance, with each letter grade corresponding to a specific grade point.
Here, let us look at the NTU Grade Point Table
| Letter Grade | Grade Points (GP) | Description |
| A+ | 5.00 | Excellent, Outstanding |
| A | 5.00 | Excellent |
| A- | 4.50 | Very Good |
| B+ | 4.00 | Good |
| B | 3.50 | Satisfactory, Acceptable |
| B- | 3.00 | Fair |
| C+ | 2.50 | Slightly Below Average |
| C | 2.00 | Average |
| D+ | 1.50 | Passing, but needs improvement |
| D | 1.00 | Barely passing |
| F | 0.00 | Fail |
How Does NTU Calculate the Grades of Students?
To get good grades at NTU, you must excel in coursework and exams and actively participate in other activities. The overall weightage for coursework, exams, and participation is not fixed, and it will vary by course. Among the three, participation will typically count for 5-10% of your grade. If you wish to plan your studies better, then after you join the course, ask your professor about its weightage.
Here, let us look at how NTU calculates the Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and the different types of GPAs
Grade Point Average (GPA)
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a number that represents your academic performance. It is generally calculated by averaging the grade points you have earned in your courses.
At NTU, your GPA will be calculated by averaging your grade points for each course based on its Academic Units (AU).
To calculate your GPA, multiply each course’s grade points by its AU, add them up, and divide by the total AU.
GPA=∑(Grade Point×AU)/∑AU
Term Grade Point Average (TGPA)
TGPA will measure your performance in a single term. It is generally calculated by averaging your grades based on course credits. Mainly, with the help of TGPA, you can track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and predict your overall performance.
TGPA = [Sum (Grade Point * AU for course attempted in that term)] ÷ [Total AU attempted in the term of study]
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
CGPA is your overall grade for the entire course. Typically, it will be calculated based on all your grades from start to finish. So, you must perform well from the beginning to get a good CGPA. Moreover, it is important for your career and further studies because many companies and universities will use CGPA scores as eligibility criteria.
CGPA = [Sum of (Grade Point for each course) ×AU for that course] ÷ [Total AU attempted in all courses]
If you are a student of NTU, then you must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.50 to graduate. Remember, you can achieve this only if you do well on the project and assignments throughout your course.
Year Grade Point Average (YGPA)
YGPA will measure your average grade points for all courses in a single academic year. The YGPA above 4.50 will be considered a prestigious academic honor. If you score high YGPA, then you will get a chance to earn a spot on the Dean’s honors list.
YGPA = [(Grade Points × Academic Units for all courses in the year)] ÷ [Total Academic Units (AU) for the year]
Academic Status and Graduation Requirements at NTU
To graduate from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, you must meet the following criteria
- Achieve a CGPA of 2.0 or above. If your CGPA falls below 2.0, you will face academic probation or possible dismissal.
- Complete the required number of AU for your degree program. AU will include both core courses and electives that you need to complete. Generally, the number of AU will vary by program (e.g., 120-160 AU for a bachelor’s degree).
Some courses will be letter-graded, and this may affect your CGPA. Specifically, Pass/Fail or audit courses may count toward your AU requirement. Hence, you should aim for high grades (A+, A) to perform well academically. Having a high CGPA and good grades will benefit you after graduation. Employers will often prefer candidates with strong academic records, and you might also be eligible for honors recognition.
Academic Consequences at NTU
NTU will regularly track and assess your academic performance. This will help you meet the university’s expectations and excel in your studies. If your performance is unsatisfactory, you might face these consequences
- Need to study for a longer period.
- Won’t receive honors or distinction at graduation.
- Miss out on internships or exchange programs due to your academic standing.
Here, let us look at the NTU’s academic standing consequences
- If your CGPA falls below 2.0 in the first term, you will receive an academic warning and will need to improve your performance in the next term.
- In case your CGPA remains below 2.0, you will be put on academic probation. As a result, you’ll face stricter monitoring and possible restrictions. If you don’t improve, you’ll be at risk of termination.
- If you still fail to meet the CGPA requirement after probation, you may face academic termination. This can result in dismissal from the university. However, you can appeal the decision under strict policies.
Wrapping Up
By now, you will have gained some knowledge of the grading system of Nanyang Technological University. The NTU grading system might appear stressful to you. However, it will motivate you to reach your full academic potential. Your grades can impact college admissions, job prospects, and even your future career. So, it is crucial to keep working on your grades. Specifically, to increase your grades, you need to attend all classes properly, perform well in exams, and accurately complete all your projects and assignments. If it is challenging for you to do your assignments on any specific course, take our Singapore assignment help services. Our team contains PhD-certified academic writers on diverse subjects to offer your personalized assignment help online for an affordable price. Mainly, with our expert help, you can effectively finish your academic tasks on time and boost your grades.
