Understanding your academic results

What your grades mean

Grades are used to give an indication of your progress through your course. However, they are only one part of measuring your overall academic progress at Swinburne. 

For certain courses, Swinburne can now measure performance with the widely used Grade Point Average (GPA) system.

If you're having difficulty understanding your grades, always talk to your unit convenor first or learn more about past results and what they mean. 

Academic transcripts

An academic transcript is an official document signed by the University Registrar which states your course, subjects and results, completion date and conferral date. A digital copy of your academic transcript will be provided soon after you complete your award. Once your award is completed it will be put forward for University Conferral and your digital documents will be issued.

If you’re continuing your enrolled course and require a digital academic transcript to track your progression, you can order and pay for a digital transcript online anytime. Digital transcripts ordered online are available within 24 hours through My eQuals.

Before you order, please check My Results and result release dates. Official transcripts only display results that have been officially released at the time of ordering.

If you’re an international student and need confirmation that your course has been completed, your digital documents can be used as evidence of completion. Alternatively, if you require a letter of completion, submit a letter of completion request.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

What is a GPA?

A simple numerical index summarising your academic performance in a course in:

• a single teaching period or
• over a year or
• for the duration of your enrolment in a course.
   

It’s based on the relative size of units, measured by:

• student contact hours (for vocational education students, diploma and above)
• credit points (for higher education students).
   

GPA is not used in units with competency-based grading or grades that do not have marks.

What is a GPA used for?

A GPA can be among criteria for a study offer, for identifying candidates for academic prizes or as a measure when applying for a job or another university place.

The two main GPA scales are the 4-point and 7-point scale, which differ by the grade points allocated but share the same calculation method.

Swinburne has used the 4-point scale since 2014. If you have one, your GPA is displayed with your results and also appears on your academic transcript.

How is your GPA calculated?

For higher education, the GPA is calculated using the following formula: 

Total grade points divided by the total credit points = Grade Point Average.

GPA = 175/100 = 1.75 (4 point scale)

What is a conceded pass? 

If you're an undergraduate and achieve a mark of between 45 and 49 in a unit and meet all of the following criteria, you may be granted a conceded pass if:

• The unit does not satisfy a prerequisite requirement
• You are not enrolled in a single unit only
• You have never previously been granted a conceded pass (you can only be granted a conceded pass once). 

If your course is for professional accreditation, you may not be eligible for a conceded pass. 

Finishing your course

If you’ve completed all of the requirements for your course, congratulations! If you’re not sure if you've finished your course or haven’t received a graduation notice, contact studentHQ.

We can’t release your results or let you graduate until you've paid any outstanding fees and fines. After you've finished your course there are lots of options:

• Find out about graduation 
• Explore options for further study
• Check out the great resources and events of our alumni network
• Get ready for the workforce with help from Careers and Employability
• Attend a Completion of studies seminar if you're an international student.