Saudi Arabia grade conversion to the Dutch grading system
Use the converter to estimate how a Saudi Arabia grade (5-point university GPA (A+–F)) maps onto the Dutch 1–10 scale, then check the full table below.
Type your grade above to see the indicative Dutch equivalent.
Indicative only. Official conversion requires a credential evaluation.
Saudi Arabia → Dutch grade conversion table
Saudi universities commonly use a 0-5 GPA/percentage-linked letter scale, with A+ around 4.76-5.00 and F at 0.00-1.00. Course pass grades begin at D (about 1.01/5 or 60%), while many degree/admission contexts expect a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0/5.
| Home grade | Dutch grade (1–10) | Level |
|---|---|---|
| A/A+ Excellent to Exceptional (4.51-5.00; 90-100%) | 8.0–8.5 | excellent |
| B+ Superior (4.01-4.50; 85-89%) | 7.5–8.0 | very good |
| B Very Good (3.51-4.00; 80-84%) | 7.0–7.5 | good |
| C/C+ Good to Above Average (2.51-3.50; 70-79%) | 6.5–7.0 | satisfactory |
| D/D+ Pass to High Pass (1.01-2.50; 60-69%) | 5.5–6.0 | pass |
| F Fail (0.00-1.00; below 60%) | 1.0–5.4 | fail |
How the Dutch 1–10 scale works
Dutch grades run from 1 to 10, with 5.5 the minimum pass. Most grades fall between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded. Read more in our Dutch grading system guide.
Will my grades be good enough?
For Dutch admission, the credential level is checked separately: Nuffic compares a Saudi secondary school graduation certificate to HAVO, and a 4-year bachelor to an HBO bachelor or 2 years of WO, while some 5-year professional/technical bachelors compare to a WO bachelor. For selective Dutch bachelor/master admission, applicants normally need more than a bare pass; a Good to Very Good Saudi GPA, roughly 3.0-4.0/5 or higher depending on programme selectivity, is a more realistic competitive range.
Important: this is indicative only
These conversions are estimates. An official grade conversion requires a formal credential evaluation, and each university makes its own admission decision. See our credential evaluation and ECTS credits guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in the Dutch system?
The Netherlands uses a 1–10 scale where 5.5 is the minimum pass. Grades cluster between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded.
How do Saudi Arabia grades convert to the Dutch scale?
Saudi universities commonly use a 0-5 GPA/percentage-linked letter scale, with A+ around 4.76-5.00 and F at 0.00-1.00. Course pass grades begin at D (about 1.01/5 or 60%), while many degree/admission contexts expect a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0/5. The table on this page maps each band of the 5-point university GPA (A+–F) system to its indicative Dutch 1–10 equivalent.
What grade do I need for admission to a Dutch university from Saudi Arabia?
For Dutch admission, the credential level is checked separately: Nuffic compares a Saudi secondary school graduation certificate to HAVO, and a 4-year bachelor to an HBO bachelor or 2 years of WO, while some 5-year professional/technical bachelors compare to a WO bachelor. For selective Dutch bachelor/master admission, applicants normally need more than a bare pass; a Good to Very Good Saudi GPA, roughly 3.0-4.0/5 or higher depending on programme selectivity, is a more realistic competitive range.
Is this conversion official?
No. These figures are indicative. An official conversion requires a credential evaluation — see our credential-evaluation guide. Universities make the final decision.
What is the highest band (A/A+ Excellent to Exceptional (4.51-5.00; 90-100%)) worth in Dutch grades?
A A/A+ Excellent to Exceptional (4.51-5.00; 90-100%) result corresponds to roughly a Dutch 8–8.5 (excellent).
Sources: Nuffic — Saudi Arabia education system and Dutch diploma comparisons — https://www.nuffic.nl/en/education-systems/saudi-arabia; Scholaro — Saudi Arabia grading system, university level after Spring 1996 and 5-point grading scale — https://www.scholaro.com/db/Countries/Saudi-Arabia/Grading-System