Netherlands
Cum Laude at Dutch Universities
There is no single national rule for cum laude in the Netherlands — each university's Board of Examiners sets its own criteria. The common pattern across Dutch universities: a credit-weighted average of 8.0 or higher, a thesis grade of at least 8.0, no grades below 6, limited or no resits, and often completion within the nominal duration. On the Dutch 10-point scale, where grades above 8 are genuinely rare, that is a demanding standard.
The common pattern
| Criterion | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Weighted average | ≥ 8.0 (ECTS-credit-weighted) |
| Thesis / final project | ≥ 8.0 |
| Minimum grade | No grade below 6 |
| Resits | Limited or none |
| Duration | Often within nominal study time |
Example: TU Delft's Master's cum laude requires a weighted average of 8.0+ with no grades below 6 (see TU Delft's cum laude procedure); UvA publishes its own criteria per programme (student.uva.nl). Boards of Examiners can also grant exceptions in special cases.
Why 8.0 is a high bar
Dutch marking rarely uses the top of the 10-point scale — 9s are exceptional and 10s almost never given, so an 8.0+ average across a degree is far harder than "80%" sounds to students from percentage systems. See the TU Delft, Leiden and UvA calculators for the 10-point scale as modelled on this site.
Summa cum laude
A minority of Dutch institutions also award summa cum laude for exceptional results (thresholds around 9.0 where it exists at all) — it is programme-specific and much rarer. Check your own faculty's Teaching and Examination Regulations (OER) for the exact judicium rules that apply to you.
Netherlands GPA Calculators
Use the calculator for your university after checking the conversion or grading guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What average do you need for cum laude in the Netherlands?
Typically a credit-weighted average of 8.0 or higher with a thesis at 8.0+, no grades below 6, and limited resits — but the exact rule is set by each university's Board of Examiners in the programme's OER.
Is cum laude common at Dutch universities?
No. Because Dutch marking rarely awards grades above 8, an 8.0+ overall average is uncommon, and cum laude signals a genuinely top result.
Does summa cum laude exist in the Netherlands?
Only at some institutions and programmes, typically around a 9.0 average where offered. Many Dutch universities award only cum laude. Check your faculty's OER.