French Grading System

Foreign student studying at UGA (host university)

Description of the institutional grading system

The grading system in France is usually quite severe, the idea being that lower grades act as an incentive for students to continually improve upon their academic performance. From elementary school to university, grades are based on a scale of 20. The best students usually earn between 14 and 16 in a given class. Grades of 17 and above are not often attributed.

(From Fulbright, Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange)

ECTS grade French grade Verbal
A 20 Perfect
19/18 Nearing Perfection
17 Outstanding
16 Excellent
15 Excellent

B 14 to 14.9 Very good

C 12 to 13.9 Good

D 11 to 11.9 Average/Passable

E 10 to 10.9 Sufficient/Passing grade

F 8 to 10 AJ (ajourné). Possibility of a make-up exam.
1 to 8 Failure

- 0 Eliminatory

ECTS credits: 1 full academic year = 60 credits / 1 semester = 30 credits