Cum laude exceptions and FAQ
Cum laude means ‘with distinction’. This predicate is meant for the fastest students with the highest grades. The requirements for cum laude are described in article 30 of the RGBE. The criteria set for the first year of your study programme apply to you. Over time, the rules may change. Article 30A contains an overview of the main rules per academic year.
In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners (BoE) can decide to make an exception. They can award the predicate of cum laude to a student who does not meet all the requirements. Read the other tabs for more information.
Nomination for cum laude:
BSc students who meet the criteria will be nominated for cum laude automatically.
MSc students who meet the criteria and who have a cum laude member in their thesis assessment committee will be nominated for cum laude automatically.
The student does not have to do anything.
FAQ’s cum laude:
Q: Which courses count towards the weighted average?
A: This is recorded in the RGBE of your first year. In any case: only completed courses count and courses listed as ‘other’ or ‘additional’ do not count.
Q: Which grades are used for the calculation?
A: Final grades are used. If you have obtained a pass grade twice for one course, the highest grade will be used.
Q: How is the weighted average calculated?
A: The weighted average is calculated on the basis of the courses in the degree programme which count towards cum laude.
For a basic average grade, all grades have a similar weight. However, our courses have different weights, i.e. the amount of ECTS.
Method: each grade is multiplied by its ECTS and then summed up and divided by the total amount of ECTS: Weighted Average = ( Grade1 * Weight1 + Grade2 * Weight2 + ... + ...) / (Weight1 + Weight2 + ... + ...).
Q: How is the weighted average rounded off?
A: An 8.0 is attained when the weighted average is 7.95 or higher. Students starting in September 2022 or later need a weighted average of 8.00, i.e. from 7,995 upwards.
Q: How is the duration of my studies calculated if I take a break from my studies for a few months?
A: The duration of study is the period between the student’s (first) enrolment on the programme and the final examination date. So any breaks do not alter the duration of studies.
* For example: for students who started their Bachelor programme in 2019-2020 or later, the grades obtained in the Minor, will not count towards the weighted average. This means that for cum laude, all Bachelor students will be judged on the basis of the same courses.
You can find the old RGBEs in the archive page. Tip: search the document for the word ‘average’.
In rare cases, an exception can be made when a student has shown exceptional skills in the degree programme but does not meet the criteria due to: 1. the duration of the study programme, or 2. a weighted average that is not quite high enough.
The Board of Examiners (BoE) will not make an exception when this circumstance is due to life choices, e.g., (volunteer) work, activities for student organisations, athletic achievements, etc.
1. Duration exceeds criteria (Article 30.1.d):
Originally, cum laude was only awarded to students who graduated within the set timeframe of 3 years for Bachelor and 2 years for the Master programmes. However, for the past years, the maximum duration of studies has been increased so students with some setbacks/delays can also obtain a cum laude without applying for an exception. That is why this kind of exception is rarely made.
For the Technical Medicine Master, please see below*.
Profiling fund:
Some students apply to this fund for financial assistance in case of study delays caused by force majeure/ unforeseen circumstances or participation in a board or committee.
If the fund is granted, the BoE will accept this as proof and will deduct the acknowledged amount of delay in months if the student mentions the profiling fund on Form 5.
Some students are not eligible for the profiling fund, even though they have experienced force majeure. They can still apply to the BoE.
2. Weighted average is too low (Article 30.1.a):
If your weighted average is between 7.75 and 7.95, you can apply for an exception. You can calculate the weighted average yourself (see ‘How does cum laude work? + FAQ’. After you submit Form 5, you will receive an e-mail from the Student Administration (SPA) with their calculation of your weighted average based on your current results. However, if you obtain grades after that point (and before your thesis defence), this will influence your weighted average.
*Regulations for TM students
For cum laude, Technical Medicine students need to finish within 3 years. Besides the above-mentioned procedure, TM students may also apply for an exception on the grounds of exceptional circumstances without proof of exceptional skills.
3. Too many V or VR (pass or exemption) (Article 30.1.b):
At the end of their study programme, some students unexpectedly find that they have obtained too many V’s and/or exemptions (VR) for cum laude. These students may apply for an exception.
N.B. This rule (30.1.b) has been amended retroactively in the Master TM RGBE 2021-2022 (see Article 30A).
First, check your RGBE to make sure an exception is even necessary.
In order to reach its decision, the BoE may make inquiries within the organisation.
For exceptions regarding study duration or weighted average:
Master’s student: the thesis supervisor or the student submits a substantiated request to the Board of Examiners and a cum laude member is added to the thesis defence committee (RGBE art. 25).
Bachelor's students can submit a request to the BoE themselves.
The application is sent well in advance of the MSc defence date / the next BSc or TM exam result session.
It contains:
1. An up-to-date overview of study results.
2. Name student,
student number,
study programme,
start date and expected graduation date study programme,
mention of the criterion for which an exception is requested.
3. A description of the relevant exceptional circumstances and* the outstanding skills:
- What prevented the student from meeting the criteria?
- In what other way have they demonstrated that they are an exceptional student?
Demonstrate your academic contributions, efforts and achievements. Mention academic extracurricular activities within your degree programme.
4. Any documents that demonstrate 3. If the student submits their own request, a letter of support from their supervisor is included.
*For TM: exceptional circumstances or* outstanding skills;
For exceptions regarding too many EC in V or VR, submit:
1. an overview of all the student’s course results and a list of all their V/VR results;
2. proof of changes to: e.g. regulations, study programme or a course’s original grading scheme (to V/O).
Depending on the amount of V/VR obtained, the Board of Examiners may or may not ask the student to submit further proof of exceptional skills in the degree programme.
NB: Keep in mind that you are asking for an exception: exceptions are rarely made.