To cookie settings Main content Main navigation

Credits and Grading

Banner image
  1. Home(opens in new tab) /
  2. Practical Information(opens in new tab) /
  3. Credits and Grading

As an international student at Windesheim, you will get study credits for the modules you successfully complete. Under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)(opens in new tab), credits that we award can count towards the qualification you are studying for back home. At Windesheim, 1 ECTS credit represents a workload of 28 hours.

Grading system

We grade using a 1-to-10 system, where 10 is the highest possible mark. We do not give percentage marks or descriptive grades. You need at least 5.5 to pass an exam. For details of how our system relates to the ECTS standards, see the table below.

ECTS definition %* ECTS grade Our mark
Excellent (outstanding performance; only minor errors) 10 A 8.2-10
Very good (above average; some errors) 25 B 7.2-8.1
Good (generally sound; some notable errors) 30 C 6.3-7.1
Amply sufficient (fair, but with significant shortcomings) 25 D 5.9-6.2 
Sufficient (pass) (satisfies minimum criteria) 10 E 5.5-5.8 
Almost sufficient (fail) (more work required to obtain credit) - FX < 5.5
(no further distinction)
Insufficient (fail)(a lot more work required to obtain credit)  - F < 5.5
(no further distinction)

(*) Percentage (%) of successful students normally achieving the grade.

How performance is assessed

Depending on what subjects you study, your performance may be assessed in written or oral exams, or by giving you assignments. Assessments are usually at the end of the study block. If you fail an exam, you may re-sit it once (normally during the next block). If you fail again, you will probably be advised to repeat the module. Special arrangements may be made for international exchange students who have to go back home.

The Grade Distribution Table (GDT)

At Windesheim, faculties and programmes generally use a 1–10 grading scale to assess students’ academic performance. A grade of 6 or higher is considered a pass.

To make the grade distribution more insightful, all grades are grouped into five categories in the Grade Distribution Table (GDT).

Using the Grade Distribution Table for grade conversion

If you want to convert grades, the GDT can help you compare performance across institutions. Here's how:

  • Find the grade listed on your diploma supplement or Transcript of Records.
  • Look up that grade in the GDT.
  • Compare the percentage of students who received that grade within the relevant study programme to your own institution's distribution.

The percentages indicate how many students received a particular grade within that programme. This allows for a fair, relative comparison of performance.

Example

Suppose your Transcript of Records shows a grade of 8. According to the GDT, 26.25% of students in your programme received an 8.

The cumulative percentage tells you how many students scored that grade or higher. In this example, 10.3% of students scored higher than an 8. This gives context to your result within the group.

Grading table per exchange programme

Below is an overview of the Grade Distribution Tables (GDTs) for the various exchange programmes offered at Windesheim. Reference group: Academic Years 2022–2024.

Note: If the percentages in a table do not add up to exactly 100.0%, this is due to minor rounding differences.

How performance is assessed

Depending on your programme, your performance may be assessed through written exams, oral exams, or assignments. Most assessments take place at the end of the study block.

If you fail an exam, you usually have one chance to re-sit it, typically during the next block. If you fail again, you’ll likely be advised to repeat the module.

International exchange student? If you need to return home before the resit period, special arrangements can be made. Just make sure to discuss this with your coordinator in time.