University of Baguio (UB) Grading System & Registrar Guidelines | 2024-2025
Understand UB's official grading, Latin honors, Dean's List, and strict registrar rules for underloading, dropping subjects, and incomplete grades. Essential guide for students.
Understanding University of Baguio (UB) Academic Policies
The University of Baguio (UB) establishes clear guidelines for its grading system, academic honors, and registrar rules. These regulations are essential for students to maintain good academic standing and qualify for distinctions. This guide compiles and clarifies these policies, helping students navigate their academic journey effectively at UB.
University of Baguio (UB) Grading System Explained
UB primarily employs a percentage-based General Weighted Average (GWA) to evaluate student performance.
Grading Structure and Periods
Each semester consists of three grading periods. The summer term has two grading periods. The maximum percentage rating a student can attain in any grading period is 99%.
Passing Grades for Academic Standing
The minimum passing grade differs between program types:
- For undergraduate programs, the lowest passing grade is 75%. Any grade below 75% constitutes a 'Failed' mark.
- For graduate programs, the passing grade is 85%. Any grade below 85% results in a 'Failed' mark.
GWA to GPA Conversion Context
While UB uses percentages for internal recognition and honors, Philippine tertiary institutions often use a 1.00-5.00 grade point system, where 1.00 represents the highest possible grade. For UB, a 1.00 mark corresponds to 97-99% on some conversion scales.
| Grade Type | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Rating | 99% | Highest possible score in any grading period |
| Undergraduate Passing | 75% and above | Minimum passing grade for undergraduate courses |
| Undergraduate Failing | Below 75% | Requires re-enrollment in the subject |
| Graduate Passing | 85% and above | Minimum passing grade for graduate courses |
| Graduate Failing | Below 85% | Requires re-enrollment in the subject |
Academic Honors and Recognition
UB confers academic honors based on specific General Weighted Average (GWA) percentage requirements and adherence to several academic stipulations. These distinctions apply to both degree and non-degree programs.
Latin Honors Thresholds
The GWA requirements for Latin honors vary between degree and non-degree programs.
For Degree Programs (Undergraduate):
- Summa cum Laude: 95% and above (Weighted Average Rating)
- Magna cum Laude: 93% - 94.99% (Weighted Average Rating)
- Cum Laude: 90% - 92.99% (Weighted Average Rating)
- Honorable Mention: 88% - 89.99% (Weighted Average Rating)
For Non-Degree Programs:
- With Highest Honors: 95% and above
- With High Honors: 93% - 94.99%
- With Honors: 90% - 92.99%
- With Merits: 88% - 89.99%
| Honor | Degree Programs GWA | Non-Degree Programs GWA |
|---|---|---|
| Summa cum Laude / With Highest Honors | 95% and above | 95% and above |
| Magna cum Laude / With High Honors | 93% - 94.99% | 93% - 94.99% |
| Cum Laude / With Honors | 90% - 92.99% | 90% - 92.99% |
| Honorable Mention / With Merits | 88% - 89.99% | 88% - 89.99% |
General Eligibility Conditions for Honors
Beyond GWA, specific conditions apply for all honors categories:
- Residency: Candidates must complete at least one school year of residency at UB immediately before graduation.
- Full-Time Status and Completion Period: Candidates must be full-time students, carrying the prescribed number of units in their curriculum. They must also complete their course within the normal required time plus one year. Failure to meet this condition disqualifies a student from honors.
- Repeated Subjects: If a subject has been passed multiple times, the first grade obtained (from any institution) is used in the honors computation.
Crucial: No Failing or Dropped Grades
Any student with a 'FAILED' or 'DRP' (Officially Dropped) grade in any General Education or Professional Subject within their curriculum, acquired from any school or institution, is automatically disqualified from academic honors. This policy emphasizes consistent academic performance.
Crucial: Incomplete/No Examination Marks
An 'NE' (No Exam), 'INC' (Incomplete), or 'NFE' (No Final Exam) mark may disqualify a candidate. Requirements must be completed before the deliberation of honors and within the prescribed completion period to avoid disqualification.
Dean's List Qualification
Dean's List: GWA and Benefits
Students achieve inclusion in the Dean's List by earning a General Weighted Average (GWA) not lower than 90.0% to 92.99%. Dean's List scholars receive a 30% discount on their tuition fees. To qualify, students must carry at least eighteen (18) units (excluding Military Science/ROTC and NSTP) and must not have any failing, dropped, incomplete, no grade, or no credit marks in any subject.
Strict Registrar Policies at UB
The University of Baguio's Registrar maintains strict policies to ensure academic integrity and student accountability. Students must familiarize themselves with these regulations.
Underloading Policies and Exceptions
Underloading for Honors Eligibility
Students aspiring for graduation with honors must maintain a minimum academic load of fifteen (15) units of credit or the normal load prescribed in their curriculum each semester/trimester/quarter. Exceptions for a lighter load are granted for justifiable reasons such as health, unavailability of required subjects, or being a working student. To justify underloading, students must submit pertinent sworn documents (e.g., medical certification, certification from the adviser, or payroll/appointment papers) to the Office of the University Registrar via the College Secretary during the semester the underloading occurs. Failure to properly document underloading can impact honors eligibility.
The typical undergraduate academic load is a maximum of 18 non-laboratory units, or 21 units including laboratory. Graduating students with excellent academic records may receive approval for a heavier load. The normal summer load is 6 units, extendable to 9 units with Dean's approval.
Failing Grades and Re-enrollment
Grades below 75% for undergraduate courses and 85% for graduate courses constitute a 'Failed' grade. This requires students to re-enroll in the affected subject.
Failing Mark for Late Dropping
A student who officially drops a subject three weeks after or beyond the official grace period will be charged the full fees for that subject and receive a 'failing mark' or '5.0' on their record. This policy underscores the importance of timely decisions regarding course loads.
Subject Dropping Rules and Charges
Specific policies govern dropping subjects, with varying charges and transcript implications based on the timing:
- During Enrollment Period: A service charge applies if a student officially drops subjects.
- Within One Week After Classes Start: A 25% charge of the total fees is incurred. No 'DROPPED' record appears on the transcript.
- Within Two Weeks After Classes Start (with Justifiable Reason): A 50% charge of the total fees is incurred. A record of 'Officially Dropped' is noted, which does not constitute a failing mark.
- Three Weeks After or Beyond Grace Period: The student is charged in full and receives a 'failing mark' or '5.0'.
Procedure for Adding/Changing/Dropping Subjects
To add, change, drop, or withdraw subjects, students must download and complete the 'Application For Adding | Changing | Dropping | Withdrawing of subjects (QF-ARC-006) Form.' Submit the form to their Dean for evaluation and approval, then to the Student Accounts Office for fee adjustments, and finally to the Admissions and Records Center (ARC) for official recording. Following this process correctly prevents academic and financial penalties.
Incomplete Requirements Policy
Deadline for Completing 'INC' or 'NFE' Grades
Grades marked as 'Incomplete (INC)' or 'No Final Examination (NFE)' must be completed within one month from the first day of classes of the succeeding school term. Failure to meet this deadline results in the automatic conversion of the grade to 'NC' (No Credit), requiring the student to re-enroll in the subject. Students should prioritize resolving incomplete grades promptly.
UB Honors Grade Estimator
Input your completed units and current GWA to see the average grade you need in your remaining units to hit your target honor range.
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