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Grades are assigned for all courses. Your instructors will discuss the course content, structure, activities and grading scheme with the class at the start of each course.
Typically, the course grade is based on student performance throughout the term and on the final examination. Instructors may consider factors such as class attendance, tardiness and classroom behavior in assigning grades, provided this is made clear to the students during the discussion of grading.
Final examinations are held after the end of classes. There is normally a short study break before the start of the examination period.
Examinations are the responsibility of the department that offers a course. the Academic Registry produces the examination timetables and provides details of procedures and regulations on its Final Examination & Grades website.
After the examination period, course grades are posted on the web-based SIS as soon as they become available. You should check your grades on the web and report any problems to the Academic Registry immediately. You will not be sent a printed grade report.
Bad Weather
If an examination is canceled due to bad weather conditions, arrangements will be made for it to be held as soon as practicable. You will be notified by email or a public announcement.
Make-up Examinations
If you are too ill to attend an examination, or if you are unable to attend because of other circumstances beyond your control, you may apply to the Academic Registry within one week from the missed examination for a make-up examination. You are required to provide appropriate supporting documents in your application.
The related application form can be downloaded and further details are available on the ARO's Exam Regulations website.
Cheating
If you are found to be cheating in an examination, your conduct will be dealt with under the Regulations for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. The procedures for dealing with cheating on examinations are explained here.
Letter grades range from A+ to F. Numerical grade points are assigned to each letter grade for the purpose of calculating grade averages.
| Definition | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent Performance | A+ | 4.3 |
| A | 4.0 | |
| A- | 3.7 | |
| Good Performance | B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 | |
| B- | 2.7 | |
| Satisfactory Performance | C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 | |
| C- | 1.7 | |
| Marginal Pass | D | 1.0 |
| Fail | F | 0 |
Other grades are not included in the calculation of grade averages. They are:
AU, for Audited, used when a student satisfactorily completes the requirements set by an instructor for auditing a course.
DI and PA, under the Distinction/Pass/Fail grading system.
I, for Incomplete, used when completion of a student’s work is necessarily delayed. This grade must be converted to a regular grade at least one working day before the start of the following regular term; otherwise the I grade is converted to F.
P, under the Pass/Fail grading system.
PP, for Permitted to Proceed, used at the end of the first term of a two-term course, and for project courses when work is satisfactory but not scheduled to be completed at the end of a term.
T, for Transferred
W, for Withdrawal without Penalty, used when a student obtains approval to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period.
In assessing your performance in a course, HKUST adopts the following general standards for the A to D grades.
Not all of the learning outcomes in the table will be achieved or assessed in a particular course. Your instructor will determine the learning outcomes you are expected to achieve and the weighting for these outcomes in assessing your achievement.
| Standards for Student Achievement | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Learning Outcomes | Grade A: Excellent Performance |
Grade B: Good Performance |
Grade C: Satisfactory Performance |
Grade D: Marginal Pass |
| Understanding and ability to demonstrate subject knowledge | Comprehensive grasp of the subject matter; study beyond core requirements | Good knowledge and understanding of the main subject matter | Adequate knowledge and understanding of core subject matter | Threshold knowledge of core subject matter |
| Ability to apply concepts and knowledge – Defining and solving problems; competence in discipline specific skills / skills for professional practice |
Expertise in problem solving and skills for professional practice | Competence in problem solving and skills for professional practice | Competence in dealing with familiar, well-defined problems; adequate skills for professional practice | Threshold ability to deal with familiar, well-defined problems; potential to achieve key professional skills |
| Demonstration of higher cognitive skills – Creativity; analysis and synthesis; making comparisons, judgments and evaluations |
Demonstrated creativity and significantly high ability to think critically in analyzing and evaluating issues | Demonstrated capacity for analyzing and evaluating issues; makes well grounded judgments | Some capacity for analysis, critical thinking, and making judgments in familiar situations | Ability to make basic comparisons, connections and judgments, but work is generally descriptive and reproduces content |
| Ability to learn – Setting goals; motivation, reflection and accountability; aptitude for working with others on learning goals |
Demonstrated capacity for scholarship and cooperation with others to achieve goals | High motivation to learn, persistent effort, and an ability to work with others | Evidence of persistence and effort to achieve broadly defined learning goals | Has benefited from the course and has the potential to develop in the discipline |
F grades in any courses will be included in the calculation of the student’s TGA and CGA.
To fulfill the requirements for bachelor’s degrees, students who receive an F grade in any course may repeat the course once to get it passed. Otherwise, courses may not be repeated to improve grades.
Three grade averages are calculated:
Grade points are assigned for most courses. However, those courses designated as AU (audited), P/PA (pass), DI (distinction), I (incomplete), PP (permitted to proceed), T (Transferred) or W (withdrawal without penalty) do not count in the calculation of any grade point average. ]
The Dean’s List recognizes students’ outstanding attainment in a Fall or Spring term.
You will be placed on the Dean’s List at the end of a regular term if in that term:
Your achievement will be recorded on your transcript and a letter will be issued to you from the dean concerned.
Decisions on your academic standing and progress are made only at the end of regular terms; the Fall term and the Spring term.
Academic Warning
If your term grade average (TGA) or cumulative grade average (CGA) is less than 1.7 at the end of any regular term, you will be placed on academic warning and required to seek academic advice.
Academic Probation
If your CGA falls below 1.5 at the end of any Fall or Spring term, excluding your first regular term at the University, you will be put on academic probation.
You will need to obtain approval to enroll in courses, and may be required to reduce your study load.
You will remain on academic probation until your CGA rises to 1.5 or above.
Academic Dismissal
If you have been on academic probation at the end of three consecutive regular terms, or you fail for a second time a course that is a requirement for graduation, you will be reported to your dean.
The dean will consider all relevant factors, including:
After considering these factors, the dean may recommend to the Provost that you be dismissed from the University. The Provost’s decision is final.
You should inform the Academic Registry immediately if you notice any errors in your academic records. Your records will be closed when your graduation is approved by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and no further amendment can be made.
Grade Review
If you think a mistake has been made in calculating or determining a course grade, you should tell the course instructor as soon as the grades are released. Where a clerical or administrative error has been made, the department or unit responsible for the course will report the revised grade to the Academic Registry.
If your concern remains unresolved after you talk to the instructor, you may submit a request for a grade review to the head of the department or unit responsible for the course.
A request for review must be submitted in writing within two weeks from the day on which grades are released. The request must:
Students would be warned that a grade review might lead to a lower grade being assigned.
If the head decides that a review is needed, it will be held within three weeks after the release of the grade.
If the head decides not to hold a review, or if you disagree with the outcome of a review, you may appeal to your dean within two weeks of receiving the decision. The appeal must be in writing, stating the grounds for the appeal.
The dean will decide whether to hold a further review and how the review should be conducted. Their decision is final.
Grade review deadlines can be found on Grade Review website.
The Academic Registry can issue a testimonial to certify your status as a registered student. The testimonial includes your program, year, and mode of study.
Further details, including fees and application form, can be found on the ARO's Testimonial website.
A transcript is your official academic record. It is issued and signed by the Academic Registrar and bears the University's embossed seal.
The transcript shows your enrollment and academic attainment at HKUST, including all courses taken in all programs, course grades and grade averages.
After you graduate from the University, and complete all the clearance procedures, you will automatically be issued one copy of your transcript free-of-charge.
Further details and online application can be found on the ARO's Official Transcript website.