GPA Calculator for Dutch Universities
Dutch universities use a 10-point scale where 10 is exceptionally rare (reserved for genuinely outstanding work — “uitmuntend”), 9 is “zeer goed” (very good), 8 is “goed” (good), 7 is “ruim voldoende” (more than sufficient), and 6 is the minimum pass mark (“voldoende”). Marks of 5 or below are failing.
Unlike the US 4.0 scale where A grades are common, Dutch 9s and 10s are awarded sparingly — even strong students typically average 7.0–8.0. International applications need to factor this in: a Dutch 7.5 average is often viewed as equivalent to a US 3.5 GPA, despite seeming low at first glance.
Grading Systems Used in Netherlands
Dutch 10-point scale
- 10 — Uitmuntend (Outstanding) — extremely rare
- 9 — Zeer goed (Very good)
- 8 — Goed (Good)
- 7 — Ruim voldoende (More than sufficient)
- 6 — Voldoende (Pass / minimum)
- 5 — Bijna voldoende (Nearly sufficient — fail)
- 4 and below — Onvoldoende (Fail)
Netherlands University GPA Calculators
3 calculators available for Netherlands universities. Each uses the official grading scale published by the institution.
Honours, Admissions & What the GPA Means
Cum laude and master’s admission
- Cum laude (Dutch master’s): weighted average ≥ 8.0 with no fail grades and the thesis graded ≥ 8.5. Typically the top 5–10% of graduates.
- Master’s admission: most programmes require a bachelor’s average of 7.0+ (“ruim voldoende”); 7.5+ for selective programmes (TU Delft, Erasmus MSc).
- PhD admission: master’s with at least 7.5 average; cum laude is an asset for funded positions.
- US grad school: a Dutch 7.5 maps to roughly 3.5 GPA; 8.0 maps to 3.7+; cum laude (8.0+) is treated as an Ivy-equivalent transcript.
Frequently Asked Questions — Netherlands
Is a 7.5 a good Dutch grade?
Yes — it's well above pass (6) and qualifies as ruim voldoende. For master's admission to most Dutch universities, 7.5+ is competitive. For grad school abroad, a 7.5 is generally interpreted as a 3.5 US GPA equivalent.
Why are 10s so rare in the Netherlands?
Dutch grading culture treats 10 as reserved for work that exceeds course expectations entirely. Even excellent answers usually receive 8 or 9. This is a cultural convention, not a calculation rule, and it makes Dutch transcripts look numerically lower than US ones for similar quality of work.
How do I get cum laude in the Netherlands?
Most Dutch universities require: weighted bachelor or master average ≥ 8.0, no failed examinations, and the thesis grade ≥ 8.5. Some universities (Leiden, Amsterdam) have additional requirements such as completion within standard duration.
More on Netherlands GPA
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