When students plan to study overseas, one of the most commonly overlooked areas is understanding how course credits and grading systems work in different countries. Every country follows its own academic structure, and knowing the basics before starting your program helps in setting the right expectations and avoiding confusion later on.
Course credits are used to measure the workload of a subject or module. In many countries, like the UK, the USA, Canada, and Australia, a certain number of credits are required to complete a program. For example, in the UK, a full-time Master’s degree typically includes 180 credits — where each module might carry 15 or 30 credits depending on its depth. In the USA, credit hours are used instead of just credits, and a Master’s program usually requires around 30–36 credit hours to graduate. These credits reflect how much time and effort a student is expected to invest in each subject.
Grading systems also vary across countries. While India commonly uses percentages or CGPA out of 10, countries like the UK use classifications such as First Class, Upper Second (2:1), and so on. In contrast, the USA uses a letter-grade system from A to F, with corresponding GPA scores out of 4. Australia uses grades like High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), and Credit (C). Understanding these systems is important, especially when you’re comparing admission requirements or converting grades for applications.
At our consultancy, we help students understand these academic structures early during the admission process. Knowing how your efforts will be evaluated and how many credits you need to complete your course helps in planning your studies better and staying on track throughout your academic journey abroad.