Gradebook · Israel
Israeli University Distinction — Summa, Magna, Cum Laude
Israeli universities award Latin-named distinctions based on a student's final weighted average: Summa Cum Laude (typically ≥92), Magna Cum Laude (85–91), and Cum Laude (80–84). Semester-based Dean's List recognition operates independently of the degree-level distinction. This page explains each threshold, the clean-record requirement, and how OpenEduCat assigns distinction levels automatically at graduation.
Israeli Academic Distinction Bands
Distinction thresholds commonly used across Israeli universities. Specific cutoffs may vary by institution.
| Distinction Level | Hebrew Equivalent | Average Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | בהצטיינות יתרה | Average ≥92 (typically) | Highest distinction awarded. Typically requires no failed courses and no repeated courses. Some universities set this at 90; the ≥92 threshold is most common at Tel Aviv University and Technion. Printed on the degree certificate. |
| Magna Cum Laude | בהצטיינות גבוהה | Average 85–91 | High distinction. Requires a clean academic record in most institutions — no failed courses and all required credits completed. Eligible for most merit scholarships and post-graduate competitive admissions. |
| Cum Laude | בהצטיינות | Average 80–84 | Distinction. The most commonly awarded honour level. Recognised by Israeli employers and graduate admissions bodies. Some institutions call this Yosher (Excellence) or use the equivalent Hebrew label instead of Latin. |
| Dean's List | רשימת הדיקן (Reshimat HaDekan) | Top 5–10% of cohort per semester (institution-specific) | Semester-based recognition for the highest-performing students in a faculty or department. Criteria vary: some faculties use absolute score thresholds (e.g., semester average ≥90); others use a percentile cutoff. Dean's List status does not affect the final degree classification but is noted on academic records and transcripts. |
| No Distinction | Average below 80 | Students with an average below 80 graduate without distinction notation. The degree is fully recognised and carries no disadvantage — distinction simply does not appear on the certificate. |
Thresholds reflect common Israeli university conventions. Verify with the specific institution's academic regulations.
The Clean-Record Requirement and Dean's List
Why a Clean Academic Record Matters for Distinction
Israeli universities typically require a clean academic record as a condition for any distinction award — meaning the student must not have failed any course and must not have repeated any course during their studies. Even a student with a final average of 93 may be ineligible for Summa Cum Laude if they failed a course in an earlier semester, depending on the institution's regulations.
OpenEduCat tracks the full academic history — including failed attempts and Moed Bet (second sitting) results — and applies the clean-record check automatically when evaluating distinction eligibility at graduation. Registrars can review exceptions on a case-by-case basis through the honours review workflow.
Dean's List: Semester Recognition vs Degree Distinction
The Dean's List (רשימת הדיקן) recognises the highest-performing students within a faculty each semester. It operates independently of the degree-level distinction awarded at graduation. A student can appear on the Dean's List multiple times during their degree — each appearance is recorded on the academic transcript — but Dean's List status does not guarantee a Cum Laude or higher degree classification.
The most common criterion is a semester average above a faculty-set threshold (often 90) or placement in the top 5–10% of enrolled students in the faculty. OpenEduCat generates the Dean's List at semester close using configurable threshold or percentile rules, with faculty dean approval built into the workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Israeli university distinction levels and the Dean's List.
Automate Israeli distinction and Dean's List workflows
OpenEduCat computes weighted averages, applies the clean-record check, assigns Summa/Magna/Cum Laude automatically, and generates the Dean's List at semester close — all without manual intervention.