How grading works at Monash University
Monash grades coursework units on a fixed scale of five graded outcomes, each tied to a mark band out of 100: High Distinction (HD) 80-100, Distinction (D) 70-79, Credit (C) 60-69, Pass (P) 50-59, and Fail (N) 0-49. Each grade carries a fixed grade-point value on Monash's 4.0 GPA scale (HD=4.00, D=3.00, C=2.00, P=1.00, N=0.30) — the value depends only on which band your mark falls into.
Some units instead use a competency-based schema (Pass/Fail only, no marks or grade points) where assessment is based on achieving a required competency rather than a graded standard.
Source: Grading Schema Procedure v4.0, Table 1 — verified Aug 2026
GPA and WAM at Monash University
Monash calculates two separate averages for every coursework student who commenced on or after semester 1, 2008: the Grade Point Average (GPA), the credit-point-weighted average of each unit's 0-4 grade-point value, and the Weighted Average Mark (WAM), the credit-point-and-year-level-weighted average of each unit's raw percentage mark. Both the WAM and the GPA are recorded on the student's official transcript, calculated to three decimal points.
The GPA formula is: GPA = Σ(grade-point value × credit points attempted) ÷ Σ(credit points attempted). In Malaysia, a separate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) calculation is used in place of the GPA, on its own set of grade-point values.
Source: Grading Schema Procedure v4.0 §3; Transcript of Academic Record Procedure v3.0 §3.2 — verified Aug 2026
Honours degree course grades at Monash University
For one-year honours degrees, and for bachelor's honours degrees of four or more years with embedded honours-level study, Monash awards a separate honours degree course grade based on the course's Weighted Average Mark rather than the unit-by-unit GPA: H1 (First Class Honours) WAM 80-100, H2A (Second Class Honours, Division A) WAM 70-
Source: Grading Schema Procedure v4.0 §4, Table 2 — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Monash University use?
Where does this Monash University grade scale come from?
What's the difference between GPA and WAM at Monash?
Your GPA averages the fixed grade-point value of each unit's letter grade (HD=4.00 down to N=0.30) weighted by credit points. Your WAM averages your actual raw percentage marks, weighted by both credit points and unit year level (level-1 units count at half weight). Because WAM uses your exact mark rather than a fixed grade-point value per band, Monash describes it as a more precise measure of performance — but both figures are official: both the WAM and the GPA are recorded on your transcript.
Source: Grading Schema Procedure v4.0 §3.3-3.5 — verified Aug 2026
Is CGPA the same as GPA at Monash?
No. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is a separate calculation used only at Monash University Malaysia, in place of the GPA used at Monash's Australian campuses. It applies its own set of grade-point values per grade (for example HD=4.00, D=3.67, C=2.85, P=2.15) rather than the Australian-campus GPA values (HD=4.00, D=3.00, C=2.00, P=1.00). CGPA does not appear on the standard academic record and must be requested separately as a CGPA letter.
Source: Grading Schema Procedure v4.0 §3.2, Table 1 footnote — verified Aug 2026
