Cum laude: “With distinction,” typically 3.5–3.6 GPA or top 16-35% of class. Magna cum laude: “With great distinction,” typically 3.7–3.8 GPA or top 6-15% of class. Summa cum laude: “With highest honor,” typically 3.9–4.0 GPA or top 1-5% of class.
Summa cum laude is an honorary title used by educational institutions to signify a degree that was earned "with the highest distinction." Summa cum laude indicates the greatest distinction of three commonly used types of academic honors recognized in the United States, expressed in Latin.
A High Distinction is a 7.0 GPA or a 4.0 GPA; a Distinction is a 6–6.99 GPA out of a seven-point grade point average, or a 3.5–4.9 GPA for a Distinction out of a four-grade point average.
The Honours Award recognizes those students who have obtained an average mark of 80.0% to 84.9% in their course of studies in each of grades 9-12. The Honours with Distinction award recognizes those students who have obtained an average mark of 85% to 100% in their course of studies in each of grades 9-12.
Student has a GPA between 3.75 and 4.0. Academic Excellence: Student has a GPA which is at least 3.50 but less than 3.75.
A distinction* (D*) at Btec is equivalent in the Ucas tariff to an A*, whereas a distinction (D) is the same as an A. An A* at A-level is worth 56 Ucas points, while an A will get you 48 points.
At GCSE-level, the Distinction* grade is equivalent to a bit higher than an A* or grade 8.
A Distinction is granted to students in Australia who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, usually with a percentage grade ranging from 75% to 84%.
These policies may vary also according to the degree year (higher percentages for later years), but generally, only 2–5% of students who pass (that is, who achieve raw marks of 50 or more) may be awarded a High Distinction grade, and 50% or more of passing students are awarded a basic Pass grade.
Graduating with a distinction
If you complete a bachelor's degree without an honours component, you may be eligible to graduate with a distinction, provided your WAM is over 70. For double degrees, you may be eligible for a distinction for one or both of your degrees.
Key Difference – Distinction vs Honors
However, both these terms have different meanings in the context of different degrees and education systems. The key difference between distinction and honours is that distinction refers to a high score in a grading system whereas honours refer to a type of degree.
Distinction: A superior performance; mark range 75-84.
Distinction* (D*) – equivalent in the Ucas tariff to an A* at A-level. Distinction (D) – equivalent to an A. Merit (M) – equivalent to a C. Pass (P) – equivalent to an E.
An MSc can be awarded with distinction, merit, or pass, depending on the following rules; for the general university regulations, see http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=13148.
Distinction: Minimum 70% Merit: Between 60% to 69% Pass: Between 50% to 59% Borderline Pass/ Fail: Between 40% to 49%
D – Distinction
This grade is typically allotted to students who receive between 75% and 84%. It means that you have fulfilled the learning requirements and have conveyed a high-level understanding of the course materials.
In some parts of the KS4 distribution BTECs score the equivalent of two grades higher than A-Levels. Over 30% of BTEC awards are graded starred distinction. These are considered equivalent to A* at A-Level yet under 10% of A-Levels were graded as such.
A distinction is another grading awarded in many academic programs. A distinction is usually the highest grade on the grading scale. It is equivalent to A or A+. Students who obtain marks above 75% usually get distinctions – students who have put in real effort and show brilliance in academics.
Here is a general breakdown of what you require for achieving a certain master's grade and how that equates to a bachelor's classification for comparison: A Distinction is equal to a first and requires you to achieve 70%+ in your degree. A Merit is equal to a 2:1 and requires you to achieve 60-69% in your degree.
Taking a master's degree and getting a distinction can seriously boost your application to further your studies. If you want to study a doctorate degree, such as a PhD, the entry requirements for a master's degree tend to be either a merit or distinction.