Key takeaways
- Each course contributes to your CWA based on the raw score and the number of credit hours.
- To graduate, you need a minimum CWA of 45.00 (or 50.00 for some health-related programmes).
- Trail courses can impact your CWA and may result in graduation delays or even withdrawal if not addressed.
KNUST uses a CWA system to assess academic progress and determine final degree classifications. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the grading system.
What is the KNUST CWA grading system?
The Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) is the official grading system used by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to evaluate students’ academic performance.
Unlike GPA systems used by other universities, CWA is calculated as a percentage-based weighted average of all your course scores across semesters.
KNUST’s CWA grading system
At KNUST, each course you take is scored out of 100 (70% from the end-of-semester examination and 30% from continuous assessment), and the final score is weighted by the number of credit hours the course carries.
To calculate your CWA, use this formula:
CWA = Cumulative weighted marks ÷ Cumulative credit hours
Knowing how these components work together is key to understanding the CWA grading system:
- Weighted marks: The weighted mark for each course is calculated by multiplying the course score by its credit hours.
- Credit hours: Courses are assigned credit hours based on the workload and contact hours (including lectures, practicals, and tutorials). Courses with higher credit hours have a greater impact on your CWA. This means doing well in high-credit courses boosts your CWA more significantly.
- Course grades: Grades are awarded based on your final score, which is used in computing your CWA. Below is the grading scale:
| Marks (%) | Letter grade | Remark |
| 70 – 100 | A | Excellent |
| 60 – 69 | B | Very Good |
| 50 – 59 | C | Good |
| 40 – 49 | D | Pass |
| 0 – 39 | F | Fail |
| I | Incomplete (with justification) | |
| I* | Mark not available | |
| DF | Deferred (Could not register and attend lectures) |
KNUST’s final grade classification
Your final CWA determines the class of degree you will receive upon graduation. These reflect your academic performance and are critical for postgraduate admissions, job prospects, and scholarships.
The classifications are as follows:
| Class of degree | CWA range |
| First Class | 70 – 100 |
| Second Class (Upper Division) | 60.00 – 69.99 |
| Second Class (Lower Division) | 50.00 – 59.99 |
| Pass | 45.00 – 49.99 |
To graduate, you must achieve a minimum CWA of 45.00. For programmes such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Dental Surgery, and Optometry, the minimum is 50.00.
Students below the minimum CWA may be given a grace period to retake and improve course scores. However, if the requirement still isn’t met after this, no degree will be awarded.
Trailed courses and their implications
Scoring below 40% or 50% (in some programmes) in any course means you have trailed it.
Key implications for trailing a course:
- You must resit and pass the course in supplementary exams.
- You cannot graduate with trailed courses, regardless of your overall CWA.
- If you have two or more trails and do not take advantage of the supplementary exams or fail more than two courses even after the opportunity, you may be withdrawn from your programme.
- Trailed courses lower your CWA until they are retaken and passed. Even so, it reduces your CWA, as both attempts appear on your transcript (resulting in doubled credit hours).
You’re considered to have also trailed a course when:
- You were unable to write the exam due to ill health; therefore, the course is graded as Incomplete (I).
- Your mark is unavailable, but there is proof that you were present for the exam (graded I*)
- You’re tagged with Deferred (Df).
- Your exam paper is cancelled due to a stated offence (e.g. academic misconduct).
How does the KNUST grading system compare to other Ghanaian universities?
The KNUST CWA system differs from the GPA system used by most other universities in Ghana, except for UMaT, which also uses a CWA-based model, although with varying grade interpretations and classification bands.
KNUST’s CWA operates on a scale of 0 to 100, whereas the GPA used in other universities is typically on a 4.0 scale. In terms of calculation, the CWA directly weights raw percentage scores based on the number of credit hours.
In contrast, GPA converts letter grades into grade points (e.g., A = 4.0, B+ = 3.5), which are then weighted by the number of credit hours. Converting KNUST’s CWA to GPA equivalent usually requires approximation; for example, a CWA of 70 roughly corresponds to a GPA between 3.6 and 4.0.
While the degree classifications at KNUST are similar to those used by other universities, the specific thresholds differ.
For instance, UG awards First Class Honours for an FGPA between 3.6 and 4.0, while KNUST uses a CWA range of 70 to 100 for the same classification. Additionally, KNUST does not offer a Third Class classification, whereas other universities do.
FAQs
How do I calculate my KNUST CWA?
To calculate your KNUST CWA, multiply each course score by the course credit hours, sum up the values, and then divide by the total credit hours.
What is the minimum CWA required to graduate from KNUST?
The minimum CWA required to graduate from KNUST is 45.00 or 50.00 (for six-year health science programmes).
What resources are available at KNUST for learning and academic advising?
The available resources at KNUST for learning include academic advisors, the library, e-learning platforms (V-Class), and help desks. Students can also access counselling services and student mentorship programmes through the Office of the Dean of Students.
Final thoughts
Knowing how your CWA is calculated puts you in a better position to meet your goals and avoid surprises.
If you’re a current or future KNUST student, bookmark this page or share it with your peers to stay informed and in control of your academic journey.
Have any questions? Please share them in the comments below.
