How grading works at the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa uses an alphanumeric grading system: every letter grade carries both a numeric value and a percentage range, from A+ (10 points, 90–100%) down to F (0 points, 0–39%) — see the Grade Scale Reference above for the full table. Some courses are graded Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory or Pass/Fail instead, where the Senate has approved it.
Minimum passing grade (undergraduate): D for most courses. Exceptions require a higher grade: C for all Faculty of Education courses, the Undergraduate Medical Education Program (MED/CLI), and the Doctor of Pharmacy (PHA) program; C+ for undergraduate nursing courses (NSG) and, for accreditation purposes, some nutrition and dietetic courses (NUT).
If a course enrolls students at more than one level, the passing grade that applies is set by each student's own level, not the course's level.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.1 — verified Jul 2026
How the University of Ottawa calculates your grade point average
A course's grade point is its numeric grade value multiplied by the course's number of units. Your CGPA (cumulative average) is the sum of all grade points earned, divided by the sum of all course units taken — successful or not — rounded to two decimal places. Your TGPA (term average) is calculated the same way, but only for courses in a single term.
Only courses completed at the University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University, the Dominican University College, or Carleton University count toward your grade point averages.
If you write a supplemental exam for a course, only the grade you receive after that exam counts toward your GPA and appears on your transcript — a note is added to the transcript to indicate it followed a supplemental exam.
Your CGPA resets to zero if you're admitted to a second bachelor's program or to a professional program.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.2–§A-3.3 — verified Jul 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does University of Ottawa use?
Where does this University of Ottawa grade scale come from?
What is the lowest passing grade at the University of Ottawa?
D (50%–54%, 2 grade points) is the minimum passing grade for most undergraduate courses. Some programs require higher: C for Faculty of Education, the Undergraduate Medical Education Program, and the Doctor of Pharmacy program; C+ for nursing courses and some nutrition/dietetic courses.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.1 ("Undergraduate courses") — verified Jul 2026
What is the University of Ottawa's grading scale?
An alphanumeric scale from A+ (10 points, 90–100%) down to F (0 points, 0–39%), with 11 letter grades in between (A, A-, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, E). Grade points run on a 0–10 scale, not the more common 4.0 scale.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.1 — verified Jul 2026
How is CGPA calculated at the University of Ottawa?
Add up the grade points from every course you've taken (successful or not) — each course's numeric grade value multiplied by its units — then divide by the total number of units taken. The result is rounded to two decimal places.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.3 — verified Jul 2026
Which schools' courses count toward your GPA at the University of Ottawa?
Only courses completed at the University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University, the Dominican University College, or Carleton University are included in your grade point average calculations.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.3 ("Application") — verified Jul 2026
What is the minimum passing grade for graduate courses at the University of Ottawa?
C+ is the minimum passing grade for graduate-level courses, unless a specific program's regulations state otherwise.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.1 ("Graduate courses") — verified Jul 2026
Does the University of Ottawa reset your CGPA if you start a second degree?
Yes. Your cumulative grade point average is set to zero if you're admitted to a second bachelor's program or to a professional program.
Source: Academic Regulation A-3, §A-3.3 — verified Jul 2026
