CBU degree classification calculator
List the courses that count towards your degree and the grade you got in each. You'll see your total points and whether you're on course for a Distinction, Merit, Credit or Pass.
Uses Copperbelt University's rules (section 3.9 of the academic regulations). Other universities work it out differently.
Your courses
No grades yet
Add every course from the years your programme counts. For most CBU degrees that's 3rd and 4th year; if yours counts 3rd to 5th year, add those courses too.
Courses without a grade aren't counted. Saved on this device only.
Courses still to come
If you haven't finished yet, enter how many courses are left. You'll see what you need on them for each class.
How CBU works out your class
- Each grade is turned into points. A half course earns half the points of a full course.
- The points are added up and divided by the number of courses. The calculator counts a half course as half a course.
- That average decides the class. It has to be above the line: an average of exactly 3.5 is a Merit, not a Distinction.
| Class | Average per course |
|---|---|
| Distinction | above 3.5 |
| Merit | above 2.5 |
| Credit | above 1.5 |
| Pass | 1.5 or below |
| Grade | Full course | Half course |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 5 | 2.5 |
| A | 4 | 2 |
| B+ | 3 | 1.5 |
| B | 2 | 1 |
| C+ | 1 | 0.5 |
| C | 0 | 0 |
Grades below C are fails and have to be cleared before you graduate, so they're not in the calculator.
Total points needed, by number of courses
The University's own worked example for programmes with 10 to 15 courses.
| Class | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 35.5+ | 39+ | 42.5+ | 46+ | 49.5+ | 53+ |
| Merit | 25.5–35 | 28–38.5 | 30.5–42 | 33–45.5 | 35.5–49 | 38–52.5 |
| Credit | 15.5–25 | 17–27.5 | 18.5–30 | 20–32.5 | 21.5–35 | 23–37.5 |
| Pass | 0–15 | 0–16.5 | 0–18 | 0–19.5 | 0–21 | 0–22.5 |
For example, 12 courses with three As, five B+ and four Bs give 12 + 15 + 8 = 35 points. That's an average of 2.92, inside the 30.5–42 range, so it's a Merit.
Questions
Which years count towards my degree class?
For a BSc, the grades from your 3rd and 4th year. If your programme counts more years, such as 3rd to 5th year, add the courses from all of those years. The calculator works the same way however many years you include.
How many points is each grade worth?
For a full course: A+ is 5, A is 4, B+ is 3, B is 2, C+ is 1 and C is 0. A half course earns half of that: A+ is 2.5, A is 2, B+ is 1.5, B is 1, C+ is 0.5 and C is 0.
What average do I need for a Distinction, Merit or Credit?
Divide your total points by your number of courses. Above 3.5 is a Distinction, above 2.5 is a Merit, above 1.5 is a Credit, and anything else is a Pass. With 12 courses, for example, you need 42.5 points or more for a Distinction.
How are half courses counted?
A half course earns half the points of a full course, and the calculator counts it as half a course when working out your average. Two half courses weigh the same as one full course.
Does this work for UNZA or other universities?
No. It follows the Copperbelt University (CBU) rules only. Other universities grade and classify degrees differently.
Is the result official?
No. It's an estimate based on CBU's published rules. Your final class is confirmed by the University, so check with your School if anything looks unclear.
Revising for your next exams?
UniData has past papers, quizzes and notes for CBU courses.