Grading and credit system

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. The system has been developed by the Commission of the European Communities to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad. It provides a way of measuring and comparing learning achievements and transferring them from one institution to another.

Grading system

The Norwegian grading system consists of two grading scales: One scale with the grades passed or not passed and one graded scale from A to E for pass and F for fail. The graded scale has the following qualitative descriptions: 

A = Excellent: An excellent performance, clearly outstanding. The candidate demonstrates excellent judgement and a very high degree of independent thinking.

B = Very good: A very good performance. The candidate demonstrates sound judgement and a high degree of independent thinking.

C = Good: A good performance in most cases. The candidate demonstrates a reasonable degree judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas.

D = Satisfactory: A satisfactory performance, but with significant shortcomings. The candidate demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.

E = Sufficient: A performance that meets the minimum criteria, but no more. The candidate demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.

F = Fail: A performance that does not meet the minimum academic criteria. The candidate demonstrates an absence of both judgement and independent thinking.

Credits and workload

Credits are counted in terms of work load and include lectures, group work, excursions, seminars, laboratory work, tutorials, independent studies etc

  • 1 ECTS credit = 27 student working hours
  • 1 study week = 40 student working hours
  • 1 semester = 30 ECTS credits
  • 1 study year = 60 ECTS credits = 1600 student working hours
  • BSC/ BA degree = 180 ECTS credits
  • MSc/ MA degree = 120 ECTS credits

Assessment and exams

Assessment is conducted in several ways. The most common assessment types are oral exam, project paper/report, practical exam/clinical exam, written exam at home or on campus.

Credits for a course are awarded only when all required assessments/components for that course have been successfully completed.