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Canada is among the most desirable destinations for international students pursuing higher studies. The quality of education, high standard of living, and favourable job market make Canada an enticing study-abroad option. When planning your studies in Canada, you might be confused about how the Canadian grading system works.
Table of contents
The Canadian Grading System can be difficult to grasp immediately. Understanding this key metric will help you perform better at the university you attend.
We’ve built this extensive guide to cover how the Canadian Grading System works across the country’s different regions so that you are prepared for your university goals.
What is the Canadian Grading System?
Canadian universities have a unique way of grading students, which can vary between universities and departments. Understanding this Canadian grading system is crucial for students preparing for university exams.
Grades in the Canadian grading system can range from 4.0 to 9.0 or use letters like A, B, C, D, and F, sometimes combining them. Different universities and professors have their grading methods.
Common grades in Canada are A (excellent) and F (fail), with A being the highest and F the lowest. Students may also receive numerical grades from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best.
GPA in Canada
In different provinces, universities vary the Canadian Grading System. The complexity increases as the university’s location, its policies, and your chosen form of education further influence your grades.
Professors assign a specific number of hours to complete each course, known as “credit hours” or “semester hours.” By performing satisfactorily and completing the course, you earn credits.
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) depends on the credits earned and credit hours completed. It reflects your overall grade for the semester. Upon graduation, the final GPA weighs each course’s GPA to calculate your overall performance.
Final GPA Calculation Formula
Final GPA = (Sum of [GPA Value x Credit Hours]) / Total Credit Hours
The faculty and department at the university determine the credit hours. You can find the details in the course outlines. Usually, faculty assign 15 hours to bachelor’s degree courses, and these hours can go up to 24 hours for master’s courses.
You can potentially improve lower grades during the summer breaks and independent studies according to the Canadian grading system.
Popular Grading Systems in Canadian Provinces
The Canadian grading system varies by province or territory. Below is a detailed guide on how grading systems work in different regions.
Alberta
Some of the best universities in Alberta are the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the Concordia University of Edmonton.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | GPA |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.3 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| E/F | 0.0 |
British Columbia
The top universities in British Columbia are The University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, and Simon Fraser University.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 86 – 100 |
| B | 73 – 85 |
| C+ | 67 – 72 |
| C | 60 – 66 |
| C- | 50 – 59 |
| I | 0 – 49 |
| F | 0 – 49 |
Manitoba
Some of the well-known universities in Manitoba are the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, and Brandon University.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | GPA | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.5 | Exceptional |
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.5 | Very Good |
| B | 3.0 | Good |
| C+ | 2.5 | Satisfactory |
| C | 2.0 | Adequate |
| D | 1.0 | Marginal |
| F | 0.0 | Failure |
Newfoundland & Labrador
The top universities are the Memorial University of Newfoundland and the College of North Atlantic.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 80 – 100 |
| B | 65 – 79 |
| C | 55 – 64 |
| D | 50 – 54 |
| F | 0 – 49 |
Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University, Acadia University, and Saint Mary’s University are some of the top universities in this province.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A+ | 90 – 100 |
| A | 85 – 89 |
| A- | 80 – 84 |
| B+ | 77 – 79 |
| B | 73 – 76 |
| B- | 70 – 72 |
| C+ | 65 – 69 |
| C | 60 – 64 |
| C- | 55 – 59 |
| D | 50 – 54 |
| F | 0 – 49 |
Ontario
The Canadian grading system for universities in the Ontario region consists of alphabetical grades, numerical grades, and percentages. The universities that most international students seek are the University of Waterloo, the University of Toronto, and the University of Ottawa.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Numerical Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 10 | 90 – 100 |
| A | 9 | 85 – 89 |
| A- | 8 | 80 – 84 |
| B+ | 7 | 75 – 79 |
| B | 6 | 70 – 74 |
| C+ | 5 | 65 – 69 |
| C | 4 | 60 – 64 |
| D+ | 3 | 55 – 59 |
| D | 2 | 50 – 54 |
| E | 1 | 40 – 49 |
| F | 0 | 0 – 39 |
Quebec & New Brunswick
McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Montréal are popular universities in Quebec.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | GPA | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A- | 3.66 | Very Good |
| B+ | 3.33 | Very Good |
| B | 3.00 | Very Good |
| B- | 2.66 | Good |
| C+ | 2.33 | Good |
| C | 2.00 | Good |
| C- | 1.66 | Passable |
| D+ | 1.33 | Passable |
| D | 1.00 | Passable |
| E | 0.00 | Failure |
Saskatchewan
Universities in Saskatchewan have the simplest Canadian grading system to determine GPAs. The province uses percentages and alphabetical grades to assess the students. The most favoured university in this province is the University of Saskatchewan.
Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90 – 100 | Exceptional |
| A | 80 – 89 | Excellent |
| B | 70 – 79 | Good |
| C | 60 – 69 | Satisfactory |
| D | 50 – 59 | Barely Acceptable |
| F | 0 – 49 | Unacceptable |
Final Thoughts
The Canadian grading system is a necessary component of the education system that plays an essential role in determining your academic progress and success if you’re studying in Canada.
It provides an objective, consistent, and fair method of evaluating academic achievement and encourages learners to strive for excellence.
If you are an Indian student looking to study in Canada, understanding this system will help you adapt better and set clear academic goals. Keep in mind that the grading system can vary significantly depending on the province and institution, so always refer to the specific grading policy of your chosen university.
Ready to take the next step?
At bluehawks, we understand that navigating the complexities of international education can be overwhelming. That’s why our expert team is here to support you every step of the way.
From personalized consultations to comprehensive test preparation resources, we offer a range of services designed to help you achieve your academic goals. Whether you’re facing challenges with language proficiency or need guidance on selecting the right university, our team is dedicated to providing you with invaluable advice and assistance.
Don’t let language barriers or financial concerns hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Contact bluehawks today and let us help you chart your course to a brighter, more fulfilling future. Together, we can turn your aspirations of studying in the Canada into a reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Canadian grading system varies by institution and province but generally uses a combination of letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) and numerical scores (e.g., 0-100). Some universities also use a Grade Point Average (GPA) system, where grades are translated into points on a scale, typically ranging from 0.0 to 4.0 or higher.
A good GPA in Canada typically ranges from 3.0 to 4.0. GPAs above 3.5 are considered very good, while a GPA above 4.0 is considered excellent.
Credit hours represent the number of hours assigned to complete a course. These hours contribute to your GPA. The final GPA is calculated based on the sum of the GPA values multiplied by the credit hours and then divided by the total credit hours.
