The formula
German grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax − Nd) ÷ (Nmax − Nmin)
- Nmax is the best grade possible in your system (100, 10, 4.0…).
- Nmin is the lowest passing grade (60, 4, 1.0…).
- Nd is your average.
In Germany 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 the lowest pass. The Standing Conference of Education Ministers (KMK) set the formula for foreign school-leaving certificates, and many universities, TUM among them, apply it to bachelor's grades for master's admissions. KMK's rule takes the result to one decimal place without rounding, so 2.18 becomes 2.1. The calculator shows that value and the unrounded result.
Examples
| Your grade | Nmax | Nmin | German grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 (China) | 100 | 60 | 2.1 |
| 8.2 CGPA (India) | 10 | 4 | 1.9 |
| 3.5 GPA (US) | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| 7.5 (Netherlands) | 10 | 5.5 | 2.6 |
What the German grades mean
| 1.0–1.5 | sehr gut — excellent |
| 1.6–2.5 | gut — well above average |
| 2.6–3.5 | befriedigend — average |
| 3.6–4.0 | ausreichend — passes despite weaknesses |
| 4.1 and worse | nicht ausreichend — fail |
Descriptions from TUM's guide to the Bavarian formula.
Which Nmin to use
The pass mark changes the result a lot. 85 out of 100 is a 2.1 with a pass mark of 60 but a 1.9 with a pass mark of 50. Use the pass mark printed on your transcript or in your university's regulations. If a university or uni-assist publishes values for your country, theirs apply.
Applying to the UK with a German degree
Cambridge treats a 2.0 from a prestigious German university (1.9 from others) as a 2:1, and 1.7 (1.5) as a First. See the UK equivalents for other countries.
Questions
Is a German 2.0 good?
Yes. 1.6–2.5 is “gut”, well above average. Master’s programs set their own minimum, often stated as a grade such as 2.5, so check each program.
Does uni-assist use the Bavarian formula?
The formula is the KMK standard for converting foreign grades, and most German universities use it. Some publish their own tables or values for particular countries, and those take precedence.
Why is my German grade worse than expected?
Usually the pass mark. A pass mark close to the top grade, such as 60 out of 100, stretches the German scale. Check that Nmin is your real pass mark, not the grade for “good”.
Sources
- KMK, agreement on the overall grade of foreign university entrance qualifications (12 September 2013), modified Bavarian formula: www.kmk.org/fileadmin/Dateien/pdf/ZAB/Hochschulzugang_Beschluesse_der_KMK/GesNot05.pdf (checked 2026-11-06)
- Technical University of Munich, Bavarian formula (with grade descriptions): www.tum.de/studium/bewerbung/infoportal-bewerbung/bayerische-formel (checked 2026-11-06)
- University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions, International qualifications: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/international-qualifications (checked 2026-11-06)