New Zealand Hub • Honours Calculator
Graduation with Distinction
Find out exactly what GPA you need in your remaining courses to graduate with Distinction (A average) or Merit (B+ average).
Your Academic Record
Distinction (8.0+ GPA)
A average required
Mathematically Impossible (requires > 9.0 GPA)
Merit (6.0+ GPA)
B+ average required
Required Average
3.60
Distinction vs. Merit in NZ
Many New Zealand universities (like the University of Auckland, Massey, and AUT) award postgraduate degrees, Honours degrees, and sometimes specific undergraduate degrees "With Distinction" or "With Merit" to recognise high academic achievement.
- With Distinction: Normally awarded to students who achieve a final GPA of 8.0 or above. This requires maintaining an A or A+ average across your relevant coursework.
- With Merit: Normally awarded to students who achieve a final GPA between 6.0 and 7.9. This requires maintaining a B+ to A- average.
Important Caveats
While the 8.0 / 6.0 thresholds are the standard across most NZ universities, there are important rules to keep in mind:
- Time Limits: Universities often stipulate that to be eligible for Distinction, the degree must be completed within the standard minimum timeframe (e.g., 3 years for a Bachelor's). Taking extra semesters may disqualify you.
- Weighting: For undergraduate Honours, your final year (or sometimes final two years) may carry more weight than your first-year grades.
- Programme Specifics: Professional degrees like Engineering or Medicine often have specific criteria (e.g., First Class Honours vs Second Class Honours) rather than "Distinction". Always consult your specific faculty's handbook.