Is 50% a passing grade at UVic?

Yes, 50% is a passing grade at the University of Victoria (UVic) in Canada.

UVic uses a percentage scale to grade courses, with a passing grade of 50% or higher. This is the same grading scale used at most other universities in Canada.

It is important to note that a passing grade does not necessarily mean a good grade. A grade of 50% is considered to be a marginal achievement of the course objectives, and it is not likely to be competitive for graduate school or other post-secondary programs.

Students should aim to achieve grades that reflect their best possible work, and they should seek help from their instructors or TAs if they are struggling to meet the course requirements.

o help ensure academic quality and support our students’ success, as well as to alleviate stress during these unprecedented and challenging times, the university is offering grading options for students this term. Upon receipt and review of their final grades, a student may:

  1. Keep the course grade as assigned by the instructor;
  2. Keep the course but select a Pass/Fail option that would appear on their transcript (not counted toward GPA calculations); or
  3. Drop the course without academic penalty.

Consistent with the UVic academic calendar, for percentage grades, 50% or higher constitutes a passing grade for undergraduate courses, and 73% or higher constitutes a passing grade for graduate courses.

Advising resources are being developed to help students make informed choices about their grades. Information will be shared once it is available and students will be encouraged to access their faculty’s advising resources or the advising centre for guidance on what option is best for their academic goals. Considerations that might impact a grading decision include accreditation requirements, program and progression requirements, prerequisites for professional programs or future studies, or other factors. Please note that there will be no refund for dropping a course.

Faculty and instructors have until May 15 to submit grades. Following this deadline, students will have some time to indicate their individual grade decisions, and we will communicate more on this in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience while we finalize details on this new process.

This flexible approach responds to the concerns we’ve heard from many students, faculty and staff and applies to all undergraduate and graduate for-credit courses completed this term. Please continue to check the UVic website for updates related to the COVID-19 situation.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.