University Grading Systems in Malaysia Compared: Grade Points by University
Malaysian universities all use a 4.00 scale, but the points behind each letter differ: A- is 3.67 at UiTM, UKM, UTM and IIUM, 3.70 at UM and 3.750 at UPM. Only some scales have an A+, the pass grade ranges from C to D, and unlike SPM every grade is weighted by credit hours.
By Degreemate Editorial · Education research teamPublished 4 min read
Every Malaysian university reports results on a 4.00 scale, but a grade is not worth the same everywhere. The same letters produce a different pointer depending on whose table you use, which is why the CGPA calculator asks for your university first.
Grade points at six universities
Taken from each university's current undergraduate regulations. A dash means the grade does not exist on that scale.
| Grade | UiTM | UM | UKM | UPM | UTM | UIAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.00 | 4.00 | – | – | 4.00 | – |
| A | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.000 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 | 3.70 | 3.67 | 3.750 | 3.67 | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 | 3.30 | 3.33 | 3.500 | 3.33 | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.000 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 | 2.70 | 2.67 | 2.750 | 2.67 | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 | 2.30 | 2.33 | 2.500 | 2.33 | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.000 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 | 1.70 | 1.67 | 1.750 | 1.67 | – |
| D+ | 1.33 | 1.30 | 1.33 | 1.500 | 1.33 | – |
| D | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.000 | 1.00 | 1.67 |
| D- | – | – | – | – | 0.67 | 1.33 |
| E | 0.67 | – | 0.00 | – | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 | 0.00 | – | 0 | – | 0.00 |
USM's distance-education handbook lists the same points as UTM from A (4.00) down to D- (0.67), with F at 0.00 and no A+.
Where the scales differ
- The value of a minus or plus. A- is 3.67 at UiTM, UKM, UTM and UIAM, 3.70 at UM, UTeM and UMK, and 3.75 at UPM, UPSI, UMT and UniMAP. B+ ranges from 3.30 to 3.50 in the same way.
- A+ exists only on some scales. UiTM, UM, UTM, UMK and the polytechnics have one for 90 marks and above. It is worth 4.00, the same as an A.
- The lowest grade. UKM, UTM and UTeM end at E with 0.00 and have no F. At UiTM an E still carries 0.67 and F is 0.00. At UIAM, D, D- and E are all fails that still carry points.
- One point per mark. UTHM and MMU do not fix one value per letter. At UTHM a 79 is worth 3.94 and a 75 is worth 3.70, both A-. Use the point on your result slip.
- Private universities. Taylor's follows the 3.67/3.33 pattern with no A+. UTAR has no grade between C and F. UCSI's handbook prints a legend "January 2024 onwards" in which an A is 3.75 and only A+ is 4.00.
The differences add up. A student with A- in every course has a CGPA of 3.67 at UiTM, 3.70 at UM and 3.750 at UPM.
The pass grade is not the same either
| Minimum pass grade | Where the regulations say so |
|---|---|
| C | UiTM, UM, UIAM |
| C- | UNIMAS |
| D+ | UTM, UniMAP |
| D | UTeM, UTHM, UMPSA, polytechnics (general rule) |
| Depends on the faculty | UKM |
Faculties can set a higher bar: UTM, UTHM and UMPSA say the pass grade is subject to the faculty, and UPM's engineering scale treats anything below C as a fail.
Polytechnics and matriculation
Polytechnics and community colleges use the UiTM-style points with A+ at 4.00, plus two failing grades that still carry points: E (0.67) and E- (0.33). They call GPA "PNM" and CGPA "HPNM". KPM matriculation uses A 4.00, A- 3.67, B+ 3.33 down to D 1.00 and F 0.00, with no A+.
How this differs from SPM
- SPM grades stand alone. Lembaga Peperiksaan groups SPM grades as cemerlang (A+, A, A-), kepujian (B+, B, C+, C), lulus (D, E) and gagal (G). Each subject is reported by its letter. At university each letter becomes a number and is averaged.
- Credit hours add weight. A 4-credit course moves your GPA twice as much as a 2-credit course. Nothing in an SPM slip works like this.
- A pass is higher. An SPM pass reaches down to E. At UiTM, UM and UIAM anything below C is a fail.
- A+ stops paying extra. At university it is capped at 4.00.
- Results accumulate. Every semester feeds one running CGPA, so a weak first semester follows you. See how to calculate CGPA.
The scale also decides the Dean's List and class of degree. For how SPM grades feed entry, see SPM credits explained.
Sources: undergraduate academic regulations and official handbooks of UiTM (2021), UM (2024), UKM (2024), UPM (2014 rules), UTM (2025), IIUM (2021), USM distance education (2023/2024), UTeM, UMK, UPSI, UMT, UniMAP, UTHM, UMPSA, UNIMAS, MMU, Taylor's, UTAR and UCSI; JPPKK's 2025 examination instructions; the KPM matriculation prospectus (2025); and Lembaga Peperiksaan's SPM 2024 results analysis. Scales are revised and can differ by intake or faculty; check your own university's regulations.
Not sure this suits you?
The Future Me quiz looks at what you enjoy and suggests careers and study routes to explore. Free, no sign-up needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is A- worth 3.67 or 3.70?
- Both exist. A- is 3.67 at UiTM, UKM, UTM and IIUM, 3.70 at UM, UTeM and UMK, and 3.75 at UPM, UPSI, UMT and UniMAP. Use your own university's table.
- What is the pass grade at university?
- It depends on the university and sometimes the faculty: C at UiTM, UM and IIUM, D+ at UTM and UniMAP, and D as the general rule at UTeM, UTHM and UMPSA.
- Do all universities have an A+ grade?
- No. UiTM, UM, UTM, UMK and the polytechnics have an A+ for 90 marks and above, worth 4.00 like an A. UKM, UPM, IIUM and UPSI have no A+ on their undergraduate scale.
- How is university grading different from SPM?
- SPM reports a letter grade for each subject. University converts each letter to grade points, weights it by the course's credit hours and averages everything into a GPA each semester and a running CGPA.
Related guides
Zakat Aid for IPT Students: Schemes by State and How to Apply
Every state has a zakat body that helps Muslim students entering IPT, usually with a one-off entry payment and sometimes a yearly dermasiswa. You apply to the state where you live, not where you study, and most schemes close three to six months after registration. Published entry rates include RM800 to RM2,500 in Penang and RM1,200 to RM2,500 in Perlis.
· 4 min read
State Entry Aid for University (Bantuan Awal IPT): State-by-State List
Eleven states and the Federal Territories run a one-off entry-aid scheme for new IPT students that we could confirm on the provider's official site; for Kelantan and Perlis we found only loans or zakat aid. Published amounts run from RM300 (Kedah BAKIPT) to RM2,000 (Sabah BUDI, degree). Most must be claimed within one to six months of registering, so check your state now.
· 5 min read
Dean's List Requirements in Malaysian Universities: GPA and Credit Rules
Most Malaysian public universities award the Dean's List for a semester GPA of 3.50 with at least 12 credits, but UM and UMK ask for 3.70, UKM and UTM for 3.67, and UPM for 3.750. A repeated course, a pass/fail course or a disciplinary record can disqualify you even when the GPA is high enough.
· 4 min read