Grading system and  grade conversion table

For each course, the QEM final mark is given in the form of a percentage (between 0 and 100). This percentage is then converted using the following scale:

The six partner universities of QEM are based in six different countries, with six different academic systems.  So they internally use six different grading schemes.  Nevertheless, it is important that all  QEM students receive grades on a common scale that is portable across all partner universities.  Because of this, QEM has developed the following grade conversion system.  (This information also appears in the QEM Student Agreement).

To earn the QEM degree, a B average (i.e., GPA above 3.0) over the two years is required. At the end of the first and the second semesters, an average grade is calculated (over the past semesters). If this average is below B, the Student is put on academic probation. At the end of the third semester, each local coordinator assesses if the second-year students are in good standing with respect to the requirements of the local study program. If not, the student is put on academic probation. The Joint Graduate Committee decides if a student on academic probation is allowed to continue into the QEM programme. 

With a first F, the Student has to retake the course, and the F is replaced by the new grade (F will not appear in the transcript of record). With a second F, the student is out of the programme, unless the student has taken the failed course in a different semester.

Note that, for logistical reasons (due to students' mobility between different universities), it is generally not possible to offer "retake exams" for first-semester courses.  So it is important that students make every effort to perform well during their first-semester exams.