If you’re a student from Belgium aiming to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your Belgian grades into the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is essential. The Belgian grading system follows a unique structure that differs from the American model, so let’s walk through how it works and how to make the transition smoothly.
The Belgian Grading System
Belgium has three main education systems based on the country’s linguistic regions: Dutch-speaking (Flanders), French-speaking (Wallonia), and German-speaking. Despite some variations, they share similar grading structures, especially at the university level.
Here’s a general breakdown of the Belgian grading system:
| Grade | Percentage Range | Description | Common Terms (French, Dutch, German) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 90–100% | Excellent/Outstanding | Très bien, Zeer goed, Sehr gut |
| 18–19 | 85–89% | Very Good | Très bien, Zeer goed, Sehr gut |
| 16–17 | 80–84% | Good | Bien, Goed, Gut |
| 14–15 | 70–79% | Satisfactory | Assez bien, Voldoende, Befriedigend |
| 12–13 | 60–69% | Pass | Passable, Onvoldoende, Ausreichend |
| 10–11 | 50–59% | Barely Pass | Juste passable, Net voldoende, Gerade ausreichend |
| 0–9 | 0–49% | Fail | Échec, Onvoldoende, Nicht bestanden |
Key Facts:
- Grades are often given on a scale of 0 to 20.
- A score of 10 out of 20 is usually the minimum passing grade.
- Top universities in Belgium tend to grade more strictly than U.S. universities.
- Some universities use descriptive terms (e.g., Très bien, Bien, Assez bien) alongside numerical scores.
Variations Between Institutions:
- French-speaking institutions typically follow the scale of 0 to 20.
- Dutch-speaking universities may use a weighted scale for final exams.
- In the German-speaking region, grades tend to reflect the German system of differentiation between “Good” and “Very Good.”
The US 4.0 GPA System
The U.S. 4.0 GPA scale is the standard measure for academic performance in American universities. It assigns numerical values to letter grades:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% | Good |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% | Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | Passing |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Failing |
- The GPA is usually unweighted, meaning all courses are valued equally regardless of difficulty.
- Some U.S. high schools and universities use a weighted GPA for advanced courses (e.g., Honors, AP), where A’s can be worth more than 4.0.
- Your GPA is a key factor for admission, scholarships, and even financial aid eligibility.
The Conversion Process
Follow these steps to convert your Belgian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale:
Step 1: Collect Your Grades
Obtain an official transcript from your Belgian institution, noting whether it uses percentages, letter grades, or a numerical scale.
Step 2: Match to U.S. Equivalents
Use the table below to convert Belgian grades to U.S. GPA values:
| Belgian Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | 90–100% | A | 4.0 |
| 16–17 | 80–89% | B | 3.0 |
| 14–15 | 70–79% | C | 2.0 |
| 12–13 | 60–69% | D | 1.0 |
| 0–11 | Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
Step 3: Calculate Your GPA
- For each course, assign the corresponding GPA value.
- Multiply each GPA value by the course credits.
- Add the total GPA values and divide by the total credits.
Example:
If your Belgian transcript shows these grades:
- 18/20 → A → 4.0
- 16/20 → B → 3.0
- 14/20 → C → 2.0
- 12/20 → D → 1.0
Calculation:
(4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0) ÷ 4 = 2.5 GPA
➡️ If credits vary, adjust by multiplying GPA values by the course credits and dividing by total credits.
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may use their own evaluation systems, so your official GPA might differ slightly. Always consult with your target university’s admissions office for precise evaluation or use a GPA Calculator for accuracy.
Common Questions Answered
Q: My Belgian university gives grades on a scale of 0–20 with no percentages. How do I convert this?
A: Use the conversion table to match the 0–20 scale to the corresponding U.S. GPA values.
Q: What if my Belgian university uses a weighted grading system?
A: If your grades are weighted based on course difficulty, most U.S. universities will still convert to an unweighted 4.0 scale unless they request weighted GPAs.
Q: Is a 10/20 considered passing in the U.S. system?
A: Yes, a 10/20 would roughly align with a U.S. “D” (1.0), which is considered a passing grade.
Q: How does the Belgian grading system compare to other European systems?
A: Belgium’s 0–20 scale is similar to the French and Luxembourgish systems but stricter than some German and Dutch systems.
Q: What is a competitive GPA for U.S. admissions?
A: A GPA of 3.0+ (14/20+) is considered competitive for most universities, but top-tier schools often expect a GPA closer to 3.5–4.0 (16/20+).
Final Tips
- Focus on improving your grades in subjects related to your intended major, as U.S. universities often value specialized performance.
- Be consistent when converting your grades. If you report a converted GPA, make sure it’s backed by a clear method.
- Double-check the requirements of your target schools—some may request a credential evaluation through agencies like WES or ECE.
Good luck with your applications!