Faculty of Law

International Perspective

Bond University Grading System

In common with many other Australian Universities, Bond has adopted a 5-point grading scheme, with percentage equivalents.

Numerical Grade
Description
Letter Abbreviation
Percentage Range
4
High Distinction
HD
85-100%
3
Distinction
D
75-84%
2
Credit
C
65-74%
1
Pass
P
50-64%
0
Fail
F
below 50%

The standard percentage pass mark in most Australian Universities is 50%. The Pass grade is like a C, and the Credit grade is like a B, in the North American systems. Grades of Distinction and High Distinction reflect work of very high quality.

Grade distributions

The Faculty of Law has adopted guideline bands (see below) for the distribution of grades. These bands are used only as a guide to an appropriate distribution of grades.

Letter Grades
% of students who completed the subject
HD
Between 5% and 10%
D
Between 10% and 15%
C
Between 25% and 35%
P
Between 35% and 45%
F
Between 0% and 20%

Honours

Degrees are awarded with “Honours” according to the following scheme of classification:

Class of Honours
Cumulative %
First Class
80% or above
Second Class Division A
75-79%
Second Class Division B
70-74%

The award of Honours in the Australian (unlike the English) university system is an indication of superior performance. Many good students graduate without being awarded Honours.

Among the graduates of Bond Faculty of Law, approximately one-third will be awarded Honours. First Class Honours are achieved by only a very small number of graduates each year; recipients of 2A Honours will usually be in the top 20% of graduates; recipients of 2B Honours will usually be in the top 35%.