The examination system of the University of St.Gallen includes written and oral examinations as well as evaluated written works and various types of course work (e.g. project work). The concept is oriented on the precepts of fairness, transparency, demanding performance and differentiated evaluation Students in the assessment year, for instance, always complete at least two examinations so that improvements are possible and performance on one single day is not the sole evaluator of success.
Grading scale
Each completed examination is graded according to a grading scale from 6.0 (excellent) to 1.0 (useless). Satisfactory results are awarded grades from 6.0 to 4.0 inclusive; a grade below 4.0 is considered unsatisfactory. The grading scale in detail:
Grading scale
| 6.0 |
excellent |
| 5.5 |
very good |
| 5.0 |
good |
| 4.5 |
satisfactory |
| 4.0 |
marginal |
| 3.5 |
unsatisfactory |
| 3.0 |
poor |
| 2.5 |
poor to very poor |
| 2.0 |
very poor |
| 1.5 |
very poor to useless |
| 1.0 |
useless |
The grading scale is identical for all levels (Assessment, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.). Quarter grades are awarded.
Weighting
All performances are weighted by a credit point system. The product of the grade and the number of credits results in the weighted credit points as a weighted grade (e.g. grade 4.0 x 6 credits = 24 weighted credit points). If a grade of less than 4.0 is given, then negative weighted credit points are accumulated. If the examination results are insufficient, the examination cannot be repeated. Students collect negative weighted credit points (N-WCPs) and once these exceed a certain level, the 1st attempt to complete the degree is unsuccessful. During the Bachelor’s degree, a maximum of 18 N-WCPs may be accumulated. In the Major in Business Administration, there is also the restriction that a maximum of 10 minus credit points (N-WCPs) may be accumulated in the compulsory area, which comprises all compulsory subjects including the capstone project.
Passing and repeating
The three-year Bachelor’s Level is comprised of 180 ETCS credits, of which 120 credits must be completed in the Bachelor's Level. 60 credits are accumulated during the assessment year. The Bachelor’s Level has been successfully passed once 120 credits have been accumulated (however, the graded average of the weighted credits must result in an average of at least 4.0), evidence of linguistic proficiency has been demonstrated in three languages (native tongue, foreign language on level I and on level II), no more than 18 N-WCPs have been accumulated and a grade of at least 4.0 has been achieved for the Bachelor's Thesis.
If the entire Bachelor's Level is not passed, the compulsory subjects in which a grade of at least 4.0 was not achieved must be repeated. For insufficient examinations results in other courses, you may choose between repeating the same course or selecting a different course. A Bachelor's Thesis that has been given a grade lower than 4.0 must be repeated as well.