FAQs: Academic Standing
- What is a GPA?
- What is the difference between cumulative GPA and program GPA?
- What grade do I need to pass a course?
- What happens to my GPA of I withdraw from a course?
- I want to repeat a course to improve my grade. Will the old grade be erased from my transcript?
- How many times can a class be repeated?
- What if I need to repeat a course more than once?
- What is Academic Warning/Probation?
- I have been required to withdraw. What do I do now?
- What is an Educational Plan?
What is a "G.P.A."?
GPA refers to Grade Point Average. Each letter grade is assigned a point value which is called the Grade Point. (for example, an 'A' receives a point value of 4.0 while a 'C+' has a point value of 2.33). The GPA is the average of the the grade points of the courses you have taken and it is a function of the number of credits each course carries. For example, to calculate the G.P.A of a 3 credit course with an A and a 5 credit course with a C+, you would do the following calculation:
Letter Grade |
Grade Point |
Credits |
Quanlity Points |
| A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| C+ | 2.33 | 5 | 11.65 |
Total: |
8 |
23.65 |
then you divide the total Quality Point by the total number of credits:
23.65 Quality Points / 8 credits = 2.96 GPA
Your transcript of marks will show two different grade point averages: the term GPA is the point average of your grades over one semester. The cumulative GPA is the point average of your grades over all the academic courses you may ever have taken at Kwantlen.
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What is the difference between cumulative GPA and program GPA?
Cumulative GPA is the grade point average for all coursework completed at Kwantlen in which a letter grade was assigned. For repeated courses, only the higher grade is used in this calculation. Program GPA is the grade point average for all coursework applicable to a specific program. This calculation is used when determining eligibility for graduation and whether a student has graduated With Distinction.
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What grade do I need to pass a course?
The minimum passing grade for a course in which letter grades are assigned is a D grade.
The minimum passing grade for a course or module in which letter grades are not used is a grade of Mastery (MAS).
In order to enrol in a course or module for which there is a prerequisite course or module, a student must have been assigned a grade of C (or higher) or MAS or AEG or TRF in the prerequisite course or module. Some programs require a higher grade than C for prerequisites to their courses.
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What happens to my G.P.A. if I withdraw from a course?
If you officially withdraw from a course, it will not be included in the GPA calculations. An official withdrawal is made before the semester deadline for course withdrawals (See the calendar.) A late withdrawal results in a failing grade. If you experience difficulty in a course, please talk with your instructor, educational advisor or counsellor as early as possible. Of course, any change to your courses could affect your financial aid or student loan status. Although a ‘W’ will not affect your GPA, it will be counted as one attempt when retaking courses. Keep in mind that students are only allowed to repeat courses once.
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I want to repeat a course to improve my grade, will the old grade be erased from my transcript?
Kwantlen considers the higher grade for calculation of GPA when a course is repeated. However, the old grade is never erased from the transcript. UBC will look at the average of the two grades while SFU will look at the higher of the two when calculating your entrance GPA.
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How many times can a class be repeated?
A student may repeat a course once and would need permission to register a third time. A "W" counts as one time. No student may repeat a course for additional credit.
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What if I need to repeat a course more than once?
Students retain the right to apply for special consideration to register in a course for the third time by submitting a request for special approval to the Office of the Registrar. Students who attempt to register for a course a third (or higher) time without prior approval will be blocked by the online registration system.
In the case of a repeated course, the grade used in computing Grade Point Average (GPA) will be the highest grade received. The grades for all attempts will remain on the student’s permanent academic record and will appear on their transcript.
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What is Academic Warning/Probation?
A student who has completed a minimum of 9.0 semester credit hours and has achieved a CGPA of less than 2.00, the student will be placed on Academic Warning. A student on Academic Warning may not repeat a course for which a grade of C or better has been assigned.
A student who has been on Academic Warning, has completed a minimum of 18.0 semester credit hours and has achieved a CGPA of less than 2.00, will be placed on Academic Probation. A student on Academic Probation may not repeat a course for which a grade of C or better has been assigned.
A student who is on Academic Probation and who has completed a minimum of 27.0 semester credit hours and whose TGPA and CGPA are both less than 2.00 will be referred to the university college President for a decision as to whether:
- the student shall be Required to Withdraw for a period of not less than six (6) months, or
- other action should be taken.
- Students who are required to withdraw are not permitted to enrol in undergraduate courses, but can, where applicable, enrol in university college qualifying studies courses during their six (6) month withdrawal period.
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I have been required to withdraw. What do I do now?
A student who has been Required to Withdraw may appeal for re-admission to the university college for a term which begins at least six (6) months after the student was required to withdraw. The Application for Re-admission must be submitted by the application deadline for the term for which the student is applying, and must be accompanied by an Educational Plan. Applications will be accepted no more than one month prior to the application deadline unless the student has already been away from the university college more than six months. Late applications or late Educational Plans will not be accepted due to the time required for review.
The Associate Registrar (or designate) will review the Educational Plan. The student may be required to discuss it further, by telephone or in an interview, with the Associate Registrar (or designate), or may be referred to Counselling. Once the Educational Plan is complete, the Associate Registrar will confirm whether re-admission to the university college on Academic Probation has been granted. If re-admission is granted, the student must have completed a minimum of 36.0 semester credit hours before further action will take place
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What is an Educational Plan?
The Educational Plan for students applying for reinstatement must be developed with a Counsellor and it must include:
- The reasons for the poor performance
- The steps taken or that will be taken to rectify the problem(s)
- The major activities since leaving the university college
- Any courses taken elsewhere (must submit transcript)
- Any activities undertaken to upgrade academically or improve study skills
- Educational goal, including reasons for changing or not changing the goal
- Letters of reference from employers or instructors may be included.
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