Examinations and grading system

(Image: Graduation ceremonies for LLM students are held in the historic Aula auditorium in the Academy building)

Examinations
Oral and written examinations are used to assess students’ comprehension of lectures and required reading. An examination period without classes follows each term. An oral examination normally takes one hour. The duration of a written examination is two to three hours. In the case of seminars, performance is assessed and grades are given on the basis of papers, presentations, quality of participation in group discussions, and other assignments.

Students should be aware there is the possibility that some exams will be administered digitally (computer based exam).

Grading system and (class) rankings
The University of Groningen does not have any rankings. The Dutch grading system is using a 1 to 10 grading scale in which 10 is the highest grade, 6 the minimum pass grade, and 1 the lowest grade. However, the grade 10 is rarely awarded. The scale used translates as follows:

10 = outstanding
9 = excellent
8 = very good
7 = good pass
6 = pass
1-5 = fail

In the Netherlands, grades are given on an absolute basis. Results of exams will hardly ever be adjusted to a curve, because we do not use a comparative system for grading. The grading scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible mark (hardly ever given) and 6 being the passing grade.

The distinction Cum Laude is awarded, when a degree programme is completed with an average grade of at least 8.0 or higher, including a Master’s thesis marked 8.0 or higher.

The distinction Summa Cum Laude is awarded, when a degree programme is completed with an average grade of at least 9.0 or higher, including a Master’s thesis marked 9.0 or higher.

All assessments are graded in full marks. The only exception to this is the Master's thesis. This can be graded in half grades. The grade 5.5 is considered to be a pass grade in this respect. For all other assessments only full marks are given. In order to be granted the distinctions Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude, students are not allowed to resit an examination or score a six on one of the examinations.

Do you have a question about an LLM programme? Contact the Faculty of Law directly through our information request form.