Grading and Distinctions
The 12 ECTS of required coursework in the Program of Study are not assigned numerical grades. They are recorded as completed requirements in the student’s transcript with a grade of “pass” or “fail.”
The dissertation grade is calculated on the basis of all expert reports and the arithmetic mean, rounded to the first decimal. The dissertation is deemed to have been accepted if all expert reports award it a grade of 4 (satisfactory) or higher.
The numerical grade for the doctorate overall is assigned using the Swiss grading scale, from 1 to 6, expressed to one decimal place using increments of 0.1, and is based exclusively on the dissertation and its defense as a culminating accomplishment in the program.
Grades:
Ph.D. Program requirements are graded using the Swiss grading scale, from 1 to 6.
• 6 = excellent
• 5 = good
• 4 = pass
• below 4 = fail
Distinctions:
| Honor |
Grade |
Meaning |
| summa cum laude |
6.0 |
with highest praise, excellent |
| insigni cum laude |
5.5 |
distinguished with praise, very good |
| magna cum laude |
5.0 |
with great praise, good |
| cum laude |
4.5 |
with praise, satisfactory |
| rite |
4.0 |
simply passed |