How grading works at Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg) grades each piece of work from 1 (sehr gut) to 5 (nicht ausreichend), with intermediate steps of 0.3: 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0 and so on. The grades 0.7, 4.3, 4.7 and 5.3 are not used. A module made of several parts gets the average of its part grades, weighted by credit points (Leistungspunkte, LP), unless the module handbook says otherwise.
For module grades, subject grades and the final grade, only the first decimal place counts and the rest is dropped without rounding: 1.79 becomes 1.7.
Final grade in the Heidelberg Computer Science BSc
Each Heidelberg programme has its own Studien- und Prüfungsordnung. In the BSc Computer Science (Informatik) regulations of 2015, amended in 2021 and 2022, the final grade for a single-subject degree is made of two parts:
- 70%: the credit-weighted average of your module grades. On request, up to two compulsory modules (but not the thesis or colloquium) can be left out of this average.
- 30%: the credit-weighted average of the bachelor's thesis and the bachelor's colloquium.
For a 50% subject combination with Computer Science as the first major, the final grade is 35% Computer Science, 35% the second major and 30% the thesis. A final average of exactly 1.0 earns the distinction “mit Auszeichnung”.
| Average | Grade |
|---|---|
| up to 1.5 | sehr gut (very good) |
| 1.6 – 2.5 | gut (good) |
| 2.6 – 3.5 | befriedigend (satisfactory) |
| 3.6 – 4.0 | ausreichend (sufficient) |
Worked example
Suppose your credit-weighted module average is 1.94 (which counts as 1.9) and your thesis and colloquium average 1.3. Put both in the Overall tab with the weights 70 and 30:
(70 × 1.9 + 30 × 1.3) ÷ 100 = 1.72 → 1.7, “gut”
Use the Average tab first to work out your module average from your module grades and credit points. Then use the Overall tab for the 70/30 step.
Converting your CGPA from abroad: the Bavarian formula
If you studied outside Germany, for example in Pakistan or India, Heidelberg University and most German universities convert your grade with the modified Bavarian formula recommended by the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK):
German grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax − Nd) ÷ (Nmax − Nmin)
Nmax is the best grade in your system, Nmin the lowest passing grade and Nd your own grade. For a CGPA of 3.20 on a 4.0 scale where the lowest pass is 2.0: 1 + 3 × (4 − 3.2) ÷ (4 − 2) = 2.2. If the lowest pass in your system is 1.0, the same CGPA gives 1 + 3 × 0.8 ÷ 3 = 1.8. That is why it matters which lowest passing grade you use: check your transcript or degree regulations. The Bavarian formula tab does this for four common scales.
Heidelberg CGPA calculator FAQs
How is the Heidelberg Computer Science final grade calculated?
70% comes from the credit-weighted average of your module grades and 30% from the credit-weighted average of the bachelor’s thesis and colloquium.
Does Heidelberg round grades?
No. For module grades, subject grades and the final grade only the first decimal counts and the rest is dropped, so 1.79 becomes 1.7.
Can I leave modules out of my Heidelberg grade?
In the Computer Science BSc you can ask for up to two compulsory modules to be left out of the module average. The thesis and colloquium always count.
What grade is “mit Auszeichnung” at Heidelberg?
In the Computer Science BSc, a final average of 1.0 earns the distinction “mit Auszeichnung”.
Which grades are used at Heidelberg?
1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, 3.0, 3.3, 3.7, 4.0 and 5.0. The values 0.7, 4.3, 4.7 and 5.3 are excluded.
How do I convert my CGPA from abroad for Heidelberg?
German universities normally use the modified Bavarian formula: 1 + 3 × (best grade − your grade) ÷ (best grade − lowest passing grade). Use the Bavarian formula tab for an estimate and check the university’s admission rules.
Sources
Last checked: 18 October 2026. University rules can change, so always confirm your results with your own university's latest official rules. See our Terms of Use.