Gradebook Built for the Bologna Process and ECTS
European universities across the Bologna Process use the ECTS grading framework, a relative scale where A through E represent passing grades and FX/F represent failure. OpenEduCat generates the ECTS grading table for Diploma Supplements, handles German Modul and French UE structures, and computes PAF (Programme Achievement Factor) group grades for cohort-level adjustments.
Grading Scales
Pre-configured grade bands shipped with the Bologna / European module. No manual setup required.
| Grade | Points / Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A (Best 10%) | Approximately 75 to 100% | Top decile of passing students. The exact percentage varies by institution: ECTS is a relative scale tied to cohort distribution, not fixed boundaries. |
| B (Next 25%) | Approximately 65 to 74% | Above average performance. Together with A, these students represent the top 35% of the cohort. |
| C (Next 30%) | Approximately 55 to 64% | The central band. The largest group of passing students typically falls here. |
| D (Next 25%) | Approximately 45 to 54% | Below average but passing. Students in this band earn credit but may struggle in advanced courses. |
| E (Lowest 10%) | Approximately 40 to 44% | Minimum passing grade. The bottom decile of passing students. These students earn credit but the grade signals weak mastery. |
| FX (Fail, some work needed) | Approximately 30 to 39% | Failing but close. Some institutions allow FX students to complete additional work to convert to E without a full retake. |
| F (Fail, considerable work needed) | Below 30% | Clear failure. The student must retake the module entirely. No partial credit is awarded. |
What the Bologna / European Module Does
Country-specific features that go beyond the core gradebook engine.
ECTS Grading Table for Diploma Supplement
Section 8 of the Diploma Supplement requires an ECTS grading table showing the distribution of passing grades over a 2+ year window. The system pre-aggregates cohort statistics and generates this table automatically. When fewer than 30 passing students are available, a low-N warning flag appears because the distribution is not statistically meaningful.
Diploma Supplement Report
Four-section PDF report covering student identification, qualification information, programme details and level, and programme results with the ECTS grading table. This is the standard document European universities issue alongside the degree certificate to make qualifications transparent across borders.
Module Templates (German Modul, French UE)
European programmes group subjects into modules. The German Modul and French Unite d'Enseignement (UE) each have distinct aggregation rules. Module templates define the grouping and weights. When subject grades change, the system recomputes the Modulnote (module grade) using ECTS-weighted averages.
PAF Group Grade Wizard
Programme Achievement Factor (PAF) applies a cohort-wide multiplier to subject grades before the final ECTS grading table is computed. This accounts for year-on-year difficulty variation. The wizard lets the exam board set the PAF multiplier and preview its effect before applying.
European Evaluation Format
The Bologna module activates a European evaluation type that renders grades in local formats. For French institutions: "14.98/20, Bien". The institution_max_mark field (typically 20 for France, 100 for others) controls the denominator. The system converts percentage grades to the local scale automatically.
Module Compensation (French UE Rule)
French universities allow a module to pass even if one subject within it is below the pass threshold, as long as the module average meets the requirement. The allow_compensation flag on the module template enables this rule. A student who scores 8/20 in one subject and 14/20 in another within the same UE can still pass the UE if the weighted average meets the threshold.
Absence Auto-Zero
When a student is marked absent for an assessment (is_absent = True), the marks are forced to zero. Absent and excused are mutually exclusive states, a student cannot be both. This ensures absent students receive a failing grade unless they obtain an excused absence through the proper institutional process.
Re-Attempt Policy
Institution-Defined (Varies by Country)
Bologna Process countries have varying re-attempt rules. German universities use Freiversuch (free attempt) where the first failure within Regelstudienzeit does not count. French universities may compensate within a UE. The Bologna module supports these patterns through configurable re-attempt policies. The base ECTS framework does not mandate a specific re-attempt rule, each institution configures its own policy based on national regulations and institutional senate decisions.
How re-attempts affect the transcript
- The active grade (counted in GPA) is marked with an asterisk (*)
- Superseded or excluded grades are annotated with their status code
- All attempts appear on the transcript for full academic transparency
- Cleared, condoned, compensated, and exempted backlogs do not block graduation
Transcript Formats
Official academic record formats generated by the Bologna / European module.
Diploma Supplement: Four-section Bologna-standard document with student identification
qualification info, programme details, and results including the ECTS grading table (Section 8)
QR Verification Available
Install the secure bridge module to add QR codes with SHA-256 integrity hashes to every transcript. Employers and other institutions scan the code to verify the transcript is authentic and unmodified.
Honours & Classification
How graduates are classified under the Bologna / European system.
| Classification | Threshold |
|---|---|
| ECTS Grade A | Top 10% of passing students in the cohort |
| ECTS Grade B | Next 25% of passing students |
| ECTS Grade C | Next 30% of passing students |
| ECTS Grade D | Next 25% of passing students |
| ECTS Grade E | Lowest 10% of passing students |
Regulatory Alignment
Bologna Process, ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
The Bologna / European gradebook module pre-configures grading scales, assessment templates, re-attempt policies, and transcript formats to align with the requirements set by Bologna Process, ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education). The data structures, computation rules, and report formats follow the standards your accreditation body expects to see during institutional audits.
Grade distributions, pass rates, GPA trends, and classification statistics can all be exported to Excel for submission during accreditation reviews. The structured data makes it straightforward to pull the specific metrics your accreditation criteria require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Bologna / European gradebook module.
Other Country Modules
The same gradebook engine powers all seven country modules. Explore the others.
India & Bangladesh
UGC (University Grants Commission), NAAC
Kenya
CUE (Commission for University Education)
Gulf / GCC
NCAAA (National Center for Academic Accreditation and Assessment)
Indonesia
BAN-PT (Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi)
United Kingdom
QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education)
United States
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), Regional Accreditors (HLC, SACSCOC, MSCHE, NEASC, NWCCU, WASC)
Works With These Modules
The gradebook connects to the rest of the OpenEduCat platform.
Exam Management
Schedule exams, generate seating plans, and push grades directly into the gradebook.
Learn more →Student Information System
Student records, enrollment data, and academic history in one place.
Learn more →Learning Management System
Courses, assignments, and quizzes with automatic grade sync to the gradebook.
Learn more →Attendance Management
Track attendance and link it to grade eligibility rules where required.
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