How grading works at Salim Habib University
Salim Habib University (SHU) uses an absolute grading system: letter grades in every course are awarded from the total absolute marks a student obtains, mapped onto a fixed percentage-band table, effective from the Spring 2020 semester. The Grade Point Average is worked out on a scale of 0.00 to 4.00; the bands and grade points are listed in the Grade Scale Reference on this page.
Two grades outside the GPA scale also appear on transcripts: W (withdrawal from a course) and I (incomplete). Neither carries grade points, and both must be cleared by repeating the course the next time it is offered.
Source: Student Handbook §7.8 — verified Jul 2026
How SHU calculates SGPA and CGPA
SHU reports a Semester GPA (SGPA) for each term and a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) across all semesters. Both are credit-hour weighted:
- SGPA = (sum of credit hours × grade point, for that semester's courses) ÷ (total credit hours that semester)
- CGPA = (sum of credit hours × grade point, across all courses) ÷ (total credit hours to date)
Only credit courses count toward these averages; non-credit courses (deficiency courses) must be passed but do not affect CGPA. When a course is repeated — whether after a fail or to improve an already-passed grade of C+ or below — every attempt stays on the transcript, but only the highest grade earned is used in the CGPA calculation.
Source: Student Handbook §6.1.6–6.1.7, §6.12.1.1.4, §6.12.2.1.1, §6.12.2.1.7 — verified Jul 2026
Academic probation and relegation at SHU
SHU reviews academic standing by CGPA each semester (rules for Summer Semester courses are excluded):
| Outcome | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Probation | CGPA ≥ 1.5 but < 2.0 |
| Relegation | CGPA < 1.5, or two consecutive probations |
| Dropped / withdrawn from the program | A third relegation |
A student on probation is formally warned to raise their CGPA to 2.0 or above the following semester, and needs the Chairperson's approval to enroll in further courses in the meantime.
Source: Student Handbook §6.1.12–6.1.13, §6.21 — verified Jul 2026
Minimum CGPA to graduate from SHU
To be awarded a degree, an SHU student must complete the required credit hours for their program and reach a minimum CGPA of 2.0 for undergraduate programs, or 2.5 for graduate programs. The student must also have no uncleared F, I, or W grade in any required course, and must have completed any required research project/thesis or mandatory internship, and cleared all financial dues.
Source: Student Handbook §6.22.1–6.22.6 — verified Jul 2026
Medals and honors lists at SHU
SHU recognizes high academic achievement in two ways:
- Gold and silver medals at convocation, awarded to the highest and second-highest CGPA in a graduating batch within the same program, with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 required to qualify. Ties on CGPA are broken by marks percentage; a full tie on both awards gold medals to everyone tied (no silver medal is then given).
- Honor lists, awarded each semester to students carrying a full course load: the Vice Chancellor's Honor List requires an SGPA of 4.0, and the Dean's Honor List requires an SGPA of 3.5 or higher but below 4.0.
A student who has withdrawn from or repeated any course — whether due to failure or for grade improvement — is not eligible for medal honors, even if their resulting CGPA would otherwise qualify.
Source: Student Handbook §6.25–6.26 — verified Jul 2026
How transfer credit affects your CGPA at SHU
SHU accepts credit transfer from other HEC-recognized institutions on a course-by-course basis, up to a maximum of 50% of a program's total credits. To transfer a course's credit, the grade earned at the originating institution must be at least a C for undergraduate programs, C+ for the MBA, or B for other postgraduate programs.
Transferred and exempted courses are listed at the top of the transcript, and their credit hours count toward the degree's total — but the grades themselves are not included in the SHU CGPA/GPA calculation.
Source: Student Handbook §6.4.1.7–6.4.1.8, §6.4.1.10 — verified Jul 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Salim Habib University (SHU) use?
Where does this SHU grade scale come from?
What CGPA do you need to graduate from Salim Habib University?
You need a minimum CGPA of 2.0 to graduate from an SHU undergraduate program, or 2.5 for a graduate program, along with completing the required credit hours and clearing any F, I, or W grades.
Source: Student Handbook §6.22.2 — verified Jul 2026
What is the minimum passing grade at SHU?
The lowest passing grade at SHU is D, earned with 50–53% marks and carrying 1.0 grade points. Marks below 50% earn an F (0.0 grade points, a fail). The full bands are shown in the Grade Scale Reference on this page.
Source: Student Handbook §7.8 — verified Jul 2026
When is an SHU student placed on academic probation?
A student is placed on probation when their CGPA is at least 1.5 but below 2.0. A CGPA below 1.5, or two consecutive semesters of probation, results in relegation instead; a third relegation leads to being dropped from the program.
Source: Student Handbook §6.21 — verified Jul 2026
What SGPA do you need for the Dean's Honor List at SHU?
You need a semester SGPA of 3.5 or higher (but below 4.0) with a full course load to make the Dean's Honor List. An SGPA of exactly 4.0 with a full load instead places you on the higher Vice Chancellor's Honor List.
Source: Student Handbook §6.26.1–6.26.2 — verified Jul 2026
If I repeat a course at SHU, which grade counts toward my CGPA?
Every attempt at a repeated course stays on your transcript, but only the highest grade earned is used to calculate your CGPA. Note that repeating a course — whether due to failure or to improve a grade — makes you ineligible for medal honors at convocation.
Source: Student Handbook §6.12.1.1.4, §6.12.2.1.7, §6.12 — verified Jul 2026
