What Is WAM?
WAM, Weighted Average Mark, is a summary statistic used by Australian universities to describe a student's overall academic performance. Unlike GPA, which converts raw marks into a small number of grade points (7, 6, 5, 4, or 0 on the standard Australian scale), WAM preserves the original percentage mark from each course.
The result is a single number, typically between 0 and 100, that reflects your average percentage performance across all courses you have completed, with each course weighted according to its credit point value.
The WAM Formula
> WAM = Sum of (Percentage Mark × Credit Points) ÷ Total Credit Points
Example: A student completes three courses in their first year:
| Course | Mark | Credit Points | |---|---|---| | Introduction to Economics | 78% | 6 | | Statistics for Social Science | 65% | 6 | | Academic Writing | 82% | 3 |
WAM = (78×6 + 65×6 + 82×3) ÷ (6+6+3) = (468 + 390 + 246) ÷ 15 = 1104 ÷ 15 = 73.6
All three courses, regardless of subject area or difficulty, contribute to the WAM in proportion to their credit point value. A 6-credit-point core course influences WAM twice as much as a 3-credit-point elective.
WAM vs GPA: The Core Difference
Both WAM and GPA summarise academic performance in a single number, but they capture different information.
GPA converts the raw percentage mark into a grade band (HD=7, D=6, C=5, P=4, F=0) before averaging. This means two students who score 87% and 99% both receive HD (7 points) for GPA purposes. Their GPA contribution from that course is identical. Within the HD band, the GPA system cannot distinguish between them.
WAM retains the full percentage. The student who scored 99% contributes 99 to the numerator; the student who scored 87% contributes 87. Their WAM values diverge. WAM therefore contains more information than GPA about performance within grade bands.
This distinction matters most at the top of the academic range, which is exactly why WAM is preferred for ranking students for Honours admission and competitive scholarships.
Why WAM Matters: Honours Admission
The most consequential use of WAM is determining eligibility for an Honours degree. In Australia, an Honours year (Bachelor Honours, typically one additional year of research study after a three-year bachelor degree) is the standard entry requirement for PhD programmes at most universities.
Universities set WAM thresholds for Honours admission. While exact values vary by university and by faculty, the common thresholds are:
| Honours Class | Typical WAM Threshold | |---|---| | First Class Honours (H1) | WAM ≥ 80% (some universities: 75%) | | Second Class Honours, Division A (H2A) | WAM 75–79% (some: 70–74%) | | Second Class Honours, Division B (H2B) | WAM 70–74% (some: 65–69%) | | Third Class Honours (H3) | WAM 65–69% (some: 60–64%) |
The University of Melbourne uses a WAM of 75+ for H1 in many faculties. The University of Sydney uses 80+ for H1 in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Monash University uses 70+ for H1 in some faculties. Students planning to pursue Honours should verify the threshold for their specific degree programme and faculty.
WAM for Scholarships and Prizes
Beyond Honours admission, WAM is used by universities, professional bodies, and scholarship organisations to rank candidates. The Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships typically require H1 Honours, and within a cohort of H1 students, WAM is often used as a tie-breaker.
Industry prizes, faculty medals, and named scholarships frequently set minimum WAM requirements in the range of 80–85%.
Which Courses Count in WAM?
The answer varies by institution. Common practices include:
All completed courses: Every course with a recorded mark (pass or fail) is included in the WAM calculation. This includes failed courses, which contribute 0% or the actual fail mark.
Credit points only (excluding pass/fail and ungraded courses): Some universities exclude courses graded on a Pass/Fail basis (common in work-integrated learning and professional placement units) from the WAM calculation, as these courses do not carry a percentage mark.
All attempts vs best attempt: If a student repeats a failed course, some universities include the original fail mark in WAM; others include only the final grade. Students considering repeating a course should verify which policy applies.
Always check the official WAM calculation policy in your university's academic calendar or student handbook.
How OpenEduCat Calculates WAM
OpenEduCat's Gradebook module supports configurable WAM calculation rules for Australian institutions. Administrators specify which course types are included in the WAM numerator and denominator, whether failed attempts are included, and the credit point weightings applicable to each course. WAM is displayed on student records alongside GPA, and both values can be included on the official academic transcript. WAM thresholds for Honours admission can be configured as programme-level rules, enabling automated eligibility identification at the close of each academic year.
