How Niagara College reports grades
Marks are reported in percentages unless otherwise indicated on the course information sheet. Niagara College does not publish letter grades or grade points. Each percentage band carries a word descriptor instead.
Some outcomes are recorded as notations with no percentage, and these are not counted in the average:
- S / U: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory achievement in a course where a percentage grade is inappropriate.
- AG: Aegrotat standing, meaning credit granted on work already completed when further assessment is not feasible because of illness or other extenuating circumstances.
- EQ / EX: course requirements met through equivalent courses taken at Niagara College (EQ) or elsewhere (EX).
- AU (Audit), NG (Not Graded), W (Withdrawal), UW (Unofficial Withdrawal) and INC (Incomplete, for up to 90 days).
A student with a final grade of 45% to 49% in one course in a term, and no other failing course, may apply for supplemental evaluation. If it is allowed and completed successfully, the grade reported is the minimum required to pass, normally 50%.
Source: Niagara College policy NC800 Grading and Transcripts, sections A and C.3-C.6 (revised Sept 12, 2016). — verified Sep 2026
How the Niagara College GPA is calculated
Niagara College's GPA is a credit-weighted percentage average, not a grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Term and cumulative averages are weighted averages based on final grades in all courses. They are not limited to the student's current program of registration.
When a course is repeated, only the higher grade is used in the average. The lower grade stays on the transcript but is excluded from the calculation.
Source: Niagara College policy NC800 Grading and Transcripts, sections B, C.8 and C.9. — verified Sep 2026
Academic standing by GPA
Standing is set by the percentage GPA. The thresholds depend on the credential:
| Standing | Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate | Advanced Diploma, Diploma, Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 65% GPA and a passing grade in all courses | 60% GPA and a passing grade in all courses |
| Academic Alert | 50-64% GPA, or 65%+ GPA with one or more missing courses | 50-59% GPA, or 60%+ GPA with one or more missing courses |
| Academic Probation | 40-49% GPA | 40-49% GPA |
| Academic Dismissal | Below 40% GPA, or two terms on Academic Probation | Below 40% GPA, or two terms on Academic Probation |
To progress to the next level of a program, a student must finish the current term in Good Standing, Academic Alert or Academic Probation.
Source: Niagara College policy NC800 Program Progression & Graduation, C.5 and C.6 table (revised March 13, 2017). — verified Sep 2026
Graduation requirements
- Bachelor's Degree and Ontario College Graduate Certificate: 65% GPA and a passing grade in all courses.
- Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Diploma and Certificate, Certificate of Achievement and Statement of Completion: 60% GPA and a passing grade in all courses.
- The passing grade is 50%, although some specific courses may set a different passing grade on the course outline.
- Residency: at least 25% of a program's total credits must be completed at Niagara College.
Individual programs may add requirements, which are listed in the Program Manual.
Source: Niagara College policy NC800 Program Progression & Graduation, section A (Residency) and C.6 table. — verified Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Niagara College (NC) use?
Where does this NC grade scale come from?
Does NC use a GPA?
Does Niagara College use letter grades or a 4.0 GPA?
No. Niagara College reports course marks as percentages, and its published grading policy contains no letter grades or grade points. The GPA on a Niagara College record is a credit-weighted average of those percentages. A 60% GPA is the graduation minimum for diplomas and certificates, and 65% for bachelor's degrees and graduate certificates.
Source: Niagara College NC800 policies: Grading and Transcripts (C.3, C.8) and Program Progression & Graduation (C.6). — verified Sep 2026
