What is a good grade in the Netherlands?

A 7 is considered a good, solid grade in the Netherlands. An 8 is very good, and anything above 8.5 is considered excellent. Most students average between 6.5 and 7.5.

What grade do I need to pass in Dutch universities?

The standard passing grade at most Dutch universities is 5.5 on a 1-10 scale. Some programmes or specific courses may require a 6.0.

How do I convert my grades to the Dutch system?

There is no universal conversion formula. Nuffic provides country-specific grade comparison tables, and many universities use their own conversion scales. Your university's admissions office will typically handle the conversion.

What is cum laude in the Netherlands?

Cum laude is awarded for exceptional academic performance, but there is no single national standard. Each university sets its own criteria, typically requiring a weighted average of 8.0 or above, no low grades, a high thesis grade, and limited resits.

Do Dutch universities use GPA?

No, Dutch universities use the 1-10 grading scale and calculate weighted averages based on ECTS credits. A rough guideline: a Dutch 7 ≈ 3.0-3.3 GPA, a Dutch 8 ≈ 3.7-4.0 GPA.

Is a 7 good in the Netherlands?

Yes! A 7 is a genuinely good grade in the Dutch system. It means 'more than satisfactory' and is well above the pass mark. The Dutch scale is much stricter at the top end compared to many other countries.

Education System Guide

Dutch Grading System

The Netherlands uses a 1–10 grading scale that works differently from what you may be used to. Here's everything you need to know about grades, credits, distinctions, and scholarships.

The 1–10 Grading Scale

Dutch universities grade on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). In practice, grades below 4 and above 9 are extremely rare.

Excellent (Outstanding)

Exceptionally rare — almost never given

Very Good

Rare — outstanding performance

Good

Strong result — well above average

More Than Satisfactory

Solid performance — above average

Satisfactory (Pass)

Meets requirements — the standard pass

5.5

Minimum Pass

Lowest passing grade at most universities

≤5.4

Fail

Below passing — resit or retake required

Don't Panic If You're Not Getting 9s or 10s

Unlike many other countries, scoring a 9 or 10 in the Netherlands is exceptionally rare. Professors rarely award them. A 7 is genuinely good, and an 8 is excellent. If you're averaging a 7, you're doing well — recalibrate your expectations from your home system.

Credits & Weighted Averages (ECTS)

Dutch universities use ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. Your average is weighted by the number of credits each course is worth.

Credits and Averages

Courses are measured in ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, and universities often calculate a weighted average based on credits when determining honours like cum laude.

Cum Laude / Distinction

There is no single national rule for graduating cum laude. Each university sets its own criteria — and they vary significantly.

Typical Cum Laude Requirements

Overall weighted average around 8.0 or higher

No low grades (often no grade below ~7.0, sometimes 6.5+)

Thesis/project grade often at least 8.0

Limited or no resits counted (some programmes require first-sit passes)

Finish within (near) nominal duration

Real University Examples

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Cum laude at an average of 8.25+ (programme level)

Leiden University (BSc Psychology)

Weighted average ≥ 8.0, thesis ≥ 8.0, no exam taken more than once, and within a set timeframe

TU Delft (Mechanical Engineering)

"8.0 requirement" effectively met from a weighted average of 7.95 (policy change in 2022)

Some programmes also award summa cum laude with stricter thresholds (e.g., GPA 9.0+ in certain programme rules).

Always Check Your University's Rules

There is no single national rule for graduating cum laude. Each university (and sometimes each faculty/programme) sets its own criteria via the Examination Board.

Grades & Scholarships

Many scholarships in the Netherlands are competitive and merit-based. Your grades play a crucial role — here's what you need to know.

What Scholarship Committees Look For

Top 10%

Many scholarships target the top 10% of applicants

8.0+

Dutch equivalent often expected for merit scholarships

Holistic

Strong transcript + motivation letter + fit with programme

Scholarship Examples

University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (Faculty of Science)

Candidates in the top 10%, often meaning GPA equivalent to 8+ (Dutch 10-point scale).

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Incoming Master's Scholarships

Asks you to prove excellence, GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.

University of Groningen – NL (Holland) Scholarship

Requires "excellent academic performance" (wording used broadly; exact interpretation depends on selection).

Don't Self-Convert Casually

If your current transcript is not on a 1–10 scale, don't self-convert casually. Many universities and scholarship committees want official class rank, GPA explanation, or transcript legends, and they will judge excellence in context.

How StudyPath Helps with Grades & Scholarships

Not sure whether your grades are "good enough" for a WO/HBO programme, a Master's, or a scholarship? StudyPath can help you:

Interpret your transcript in a Dutch admissions context
Shortlist scholarships where your profile is realistically competitive
Prepare a strong motivation letter and supporting documents that match what Dutch selection committees look for

Frequently Asked Questions

In the Dutch context, a 7 can already be a strong result, and an 8 average is typically considered excellent. 9s and 10s are rare, and most students' grades cluster around 6 to 8. Don't panic if you're not getting 9s or 10s.

Many universities treat 6.0 as a pass. If they grade with decimals, 5.5 is often the minimum pass. Anything lower than 5.4 is a fail.

There is no single national rule for graduating cum laude. Each university (and sometimes each faculty/programme) sets its own criteria via the Examination Board. Common patterns include an overall weighted average around 8.0 or higher, no low grades, thesis grade at least 8.0, limited or no resits, and finishing within nominal duration. Some programmes also award summa cum laude (e.g., GPA 9.0+ in certain programme rules).

Scholarships are competitive and often ask for academic excellence — commonly top 10% of your class or a GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0. If your transcript is not on a 1–10 scale, don't self-convert casually. Many universities and scholarship committees want official class rank, GPA explanation, or transcript legends.

StudyPath can interpret your transcript in a Dutch admissions context, shortlist scholarships where your profile is realistically competitive, and prepare a strong motivation letter and supporting documents that match what Dutch selection committees look for. Tell us your current country/system and your target university/programme for a concrete benchmark.