French Grading System

Foreign student studying at UGA (host university)

Description of the institutional grading system

The grading system in France is usually quite severe, the idea being that lower grades act as an incentive for students to continually improve upon their academic performance. From elementary school to university, grades are based on a scale of 20. The best students usually earn between 14 and 16 in a given class. Grades of 17 and above are not often attributed.
(From Fulbright, Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange)

ECTS grade             French grade             Verbal
   A                              20                               Perfect
                                   19/18                          Nearing Perfection
                                   17                               Outstanding
                                   16                               Excellent
                                   15                               Excellent
B                              14 to 14.9                   Very good
   C                              12 to 13.9                   Good
D                              11 to 11.9                    Average/Passable
   E                              10 to 10.9                   Sufficient/Passing grade
F                               8 to 10                       AJ (ajourné). Possibility of a make-up exam.
                                 1 to 8                         Failure
   -                                0                                Eliminatory

ECTS credits: 1 full academic year = 60 credits / 1 semester = 30 credits
Published on  August 19, 2025
Updated on August 19, 2025