European Credit Transfer Points (ECTS)
European Credit Transfer Points (ECTS) are used to convert study and examination credits earned abroad for the home university. ECTS points are allocated to courses according to their scope, which students earn by successfully completing the course. At their home university, they can then have the credits recognised to the extent described by the ECTS points. However, the prerequisite is that both universities participate in the ECTS.
The ECTS grading tables are frequency tables that provide information on the distribution of grades within a specific reference group and can be used to compare different grading systems.
ECTS grading tables for final examinations
The ECTS grading tables for final examinations are frequency tables that provide information on the distribution of final grades within a specific reference group.
In order to be able to apply the conversion procedure with the help of ECTS grading tables, it is essential to submit a comparable ECTS grading table from both - i.e. a sending and a receiving - educational institution. A brief description of this can be found in the ECTS Guide 2015 (Examples of grade conversion, p. 80 - 81).
The basic information on the ECTS grading tables of HU Berlin is summarised below.
- The definition of reference groups is based on the guidelines of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED-F 2013). Accordingly, a reference group (ISCED educational field) can include one or more subjects at HU Berlin.
- All successful degrees (i.e. final grades from 1.0 to 4.0) in Bachelor's degree programmes (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science) and Master's degree programmes (Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education) are recorded.
- The ECTS grading tables of the HU Berlin record the information from 3 calendar years and are updated annually. If a reference group is not sufficiently large, i.e. the database contains fewer than 50 passed examinations in the reference period, the respective row in the table will be marked accordingly.
- The ECTS grading tables for final examinations are provided as part of the graduation documents for graduates of HU Berlin.
IMPORTANT: The procedure of reporting relative final grades according to the ECTS grading scale with ranks A to E (see § 114 para. 6 ZSP-HU, amended version of 01.05.2016, AMB 27/2016), which has not been recommended since 2015, can be used until the ZSP-HU is amended as necessary.
The following ECTS classification tables are valid for graduates of HU Berlin who will graduate in 2025. Please note that several reference groups (educational fields according to ISCED-F 2013) are listed in the overall overviews. Clicking on the reference group of your choice will take you to the overview of the grade distribution within the corresponding subject(s).
ECTS grading tables for module examinations
The ECTS grading tables for final module examinations (MAP) are frequency tables that provide information on the distribution of module grades within a specific reference group.
In order to be able to apply the conversion procedure with the help of ECTS grading tables, it is essential to submit a comparable ECTS grading table from both - i.e. a sending and a receiving - educational institution. A brief description of this can be found in the ECTS Guide 2015 (Examples of grade conversion, p. 80 - 81).
The basic information on the ECTS grading tables of HU Berlin is summarised below.
- The definition of reference groups is based on the guidelines of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED-F 2013). Accordingly, a reference group (ISCED educational field) can include one or more subjects at HU Berlin.
- The grades for passed final module examinations are recorded (MAP grades 1.0 to 4.0). The grading tables for Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes are issued separately.
- The ECTS grading tables of the HU Berlin record the information of 3 calendar years and are updated annually. If a reference group is not sufficiently large, i.e. the database contains fewer than 50 passed examinations in the reference period, the respective row in the table will be marked accordingly.
- The ECTS grading tables for final module examinations are primarily intended for the crediting of modules and are suitable for
- HU Berlin students who are planning to transfer to a university abroad
- HU Berlin students who intend to apply or have applied for credit transfer for coursework and examinations completed abroad after their study period abroad. (This requires the submission of a comparable ECTS grading table from the foreign university!)
- Programme students (without a degree) who spend their semester abroad at HU Berlin
- the examination boards and the student counselling services of HU Berlin.
The following ECTS grading tables are valid for those HU students who had a study visit abroad in 2025 and subsequently wish to have credits earned abroad (modules) recognised. This also applies to HU students who have completed modules at HU Berlin in 2025 and intend to have them credited to their study account at another (foreign) university. This includes programme students. Please note that several reference groups (educational fields according to ISCED-F 2013) are listed in the overall overviews. Clicking on the reference group of your choice will take you to a detailed overview of the grade distribution within the associated degree programme(s).
Bachelor: General overview
Master: General overview
ISCEDcodes
Grade converter of the HU Berlin
The grade conversion system (NUS+) of the HU Berlin is a tool integrated into AGNES for the conversion of foreign university grades into the German grading system. This tool contains relevant information on foreign grading systems and is primarily aimed at examination boards, academic advisors and students at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin.
The grade calculation is based on the so-called Modified Bavarian Formula. This calculation method corresponds to the recommendations of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and can be used for grade conversion, especially if no suitable ECTS grading table is available.
The grade converter merely offers all users a platform for orientation. In this respect, the calculated grade results are not binding. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the HU-Berlin Examination Service.
Final decisions on grade conversion at HU Berlin are reserved for the responsible examination boards (see § 110 para. 5 of the Interdisciplinary Statutes for the Regulation of Admission, Studies and Examinations at HU Berlin (ZSP-HU)).
Grade Point Average (GPA)
In some foreign transcripts of records, the so-called Grade Point Average (GPA) is shown after each stage of study and at the end of the degree programme. This is a grade point average which is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean: The credits of a course are multiplied by the Grade Point (the numerical value of the letter grade). The resulting grade points of all courses in a study section are then added together and divided by the sum of the credits.
The grade point average may be necessary for further applications for a university place or a job, for example in the USA.
The transcript of records only shows the overall grades and a final grade or a provisional grade (if the degree has not yet been obtained), which is calculated in accordance with the statutes and may differ from the grade point average. The latter is not shown separately.
In principle, the host educational institutions are always responsible for the processes of recognising and crediting higher education achievements gained abroad. In order to simplify this process for universities abroad, we recommend using the grade converter for the conversion of university grades. This programme is freely accessible to all interested parties.
Humboldt-Universit?t students also have the option of applying for a corresponding certificate with the GPA shown for their applications to universities in the USA. If necessary, please contact the Examination Service of Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin directly.