Instead, the grade "pass" should be used to show the student that s/he has reached the level required for that particular education. Uppsala Student Union also thinks that some parts of the University need to consider raising the threshold for "pass", in connection with the introduction of such a new grading system.

Grading criteria
As long as the University is using a grading scale with several grades, there must be certain, pre-determined, criteria for every grade. These criteria must be written down in the course plan for every course, so that the student knows what is required for every grade before s/he begins the course. Uppsala Student Union also thinks that the student should always have the opportunity to redo an exam in order to improve the grade, even if s/he passed the course.

ECTS grades
The ECTS issue is a complicated one, and ECTS grades have both advantages and disadvantages. Uppsala Student Union's view, however, is that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. An exaggerated focus on grades, a degenerated pedagogy in relation to examination procedures, a deteriorated education quality when large resources are used for grading, and only an illusory international comparability. These are Uppsala Student Union's main arguments against ECTS grades.

Towards the end of the autumn semester in 2006, Uppsala University's Vice-Chancellor decided not to introduce ECTS grades on all educations at the University. Instead, the Vice-Chancellor proposed that those faculties who wanted to introduce a four-step grading scale could do that. Uppsala Student Union sees some problems with introducing a new grading scale, for instance as it could impair national and international mobility for Uppsala's students.

Do you want to know more about ECTS grades og discuss the Union's stance?
Contact the Student Union's vice chairperson responsible for education policy

Read more about the Student Union's arguments in relation to ECTS grades