UIC Grading System

Honors Grading

Other Grade Symbols

(Not included in computation of grade point average)

• W – Withdrawn: Withdrawn from course without penalty (no grade).
• DFR – Deferred: Grade deferred (graduate courses, independent study courses, and certain study-abroad courses only).
• S – Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Used in graduate thesis research courses, graduate courses given for zero credit, and some undergraduate courses for which this grade is specifically approved.
• S* – Satisfactory; U – Unsatisfactory: Used in Academic Preparation Courses (001-099)
• CR – Credit; NC – No Credit: Used only in courses taken under credit/no credit option.NR – Not Reported: Missing grade. This symbol is automatically generated when, for a variety of reasons, no grade is submitted by the instructor.
• I – Incomplete:
  • Course work is incomplete when a student fails to submit all required assignments or is absent from the final examination. Incomplete course work will normally result in a failing grade if it is not completed within the designated time limit. The “I” may be assigned in lieu of a grade only when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the student has been making satisfactory progress in the course; (b) the student is unable to complete all course work due to unusual circumstances that are beyond personal control and are acceptable to the instructor; and (c) the student presents these reasons prior to the time that the final grade roster is due.
  • The instructor must submit an Incomplete report with the final grade roster for the I” to be recorded. This report is a contract for the student to complete the course work with that instructor or one designated by the department executive officer in the way described and by a time indicated on the report. In resolving the I,” the student may not register for the course a second time, but must follow the procedures detailed on the report.
  • An “I” must be removed by the end of the student’s first semester or summer session in residence subsequent to the incurrence of the “I” or, if not in residence, no later than one calendar year subsequent to the incurrence. When the student submits the work, the instructor will grade it and change the “I” to the appropriate grade. If an undergraduate fails to meet the stated conditions, the instructor will assign an “F” for the final grade.

UIC College of Medicine Grading System

The College of Medicine has unique grading symbols that have varied over time. Please see the College of Medicine Addendum to Transcript Explanation PDF document that conveys the College of Medicine grading system.

New grading system for M1 and M2 students

The new grading system for M1 and M2 students as of Summer 2022 is provided below:

• P – Pass
• F – Failure
• NG – Non-graded Experience
• I – Incomplete
• W – Withdrawn

New grading system for Third and Fourth Year Clinical Courses

• H – Honors
• HP – High Honors
• P – Pass
• F – Failure
• I – Incomplete
• U – Unsatisfactory
• S – Satisfactory
• W – Withdrawn
• DFR – Deferred Grade
• NG – Non-graded Experience

UIC Law School Grading System

The UIC Law School (at all academic levels, including the J.D., LL.M., and M.J. programs) grading system is as follows:

The following grades are not used in calculating a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA): W, I, IN, NG, P, AU, TP, and NR.

NR (Not Reported). Missing grade. This symbol is automatically generated when, for a variety of reasons, no grade is submitted by the instructor.

This grading system applies to all degree programs, including the J.D., LL.M., and M.J. programs. It does not apply to the pre-admission SCALES program. The grading system has also changed over time. Please see the UIC Law School Transcript Guide PDF document for the various grading systems used prior to 2011.

Pre- Fall 1991 transcript historical information and transcript explanation

The following information concerns UIC Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional programs for students who studied at UIC prior to Fall 1991. In Fall of 1991, UIC converted to a semester calendar.

Historical Academic Calendar information (prior to Fall 1991):

Effective Fall 1991: Semester Calendar
The academic year consists of the Fall and Spring semesters and an eight-week Summer session (ten weeks in the Health Sciences Colleges). Each regular semester includes fifteen weeks of instruction and one week of final examinations. The unit of credit is the semester hour.

September 1965 – August 1991: Quarter Calendar
University of Illinois at Chicago operated under the quarter calendar consisting of the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters and an eight-week Summer session (ten weeks in the Health Sciences Colleges). Each quarter consisted of ten weeks of instruction and one week of final examinations. The unit of credit was the quarter hour.

September 1946 – September 1965: Semester Calendar

Historical Grading System information (prior to Fall 1991):

In Fall semester of 2004, the University of Illinois converted electronic student records. Students enrolled prior to 1991 may have a divided transcript. Part may be generated from an image of the student information system in place prior to 1991. Grading system for imaged transcripts is described below.

• Other Grade Symbols (Not included in GPA computation)
  • P – Pass: For courses taken under the Pass/Fail option, P is recorded on the transcript if the letter grade A, B, C, or D is assigned.
  • F – Fail: For courses taken under the Pass/Fail option, F is recorded on the transcript if the letter grade E is assigned.
  • W – Withdrew: Officially withdrew from the course without penalty.
  • IN – Incomplete: For undergraduates, converts to ER (E by Rule) if not removed by the end of the subsequent term of enrollment, or no later than one calendar year if student is not enrolled.
  • M – Missing: Automatically assigned if no grade is submitted by the instructor.
  • DF – Deferred: Used for thesis courses, continuing seminar, sequential courses, certain study-abroad courses, and certain courses that require extensive independent work beyond the term. At the end of the continuing course sequence, the DF converts to a specific letter grade, to an IN, or to an S or U.
  • S – Satisfactory/U – Unsatisfactory: Used in graduate thesis research courses, in zero-credit graduate courses and in specifically approved courses.
• Historical Special Notations or Symbols and Course Numbering System:
  • @ – Graduate Credit (prior to 1990) Note: graduate courses are also determined by course numbers. If symbol does not appear, refer to course number.
  • & – Honors course section or honors credit (prior to 1991)
  • HC – Honors course section or honors credit
  • DH – Departmental Honors course section
  • * – Extramural Courses (symbol of E prior to 1990)
  • X – Correspondence Courses
• Course Numbering System September 1965 – August 1991
  • 100-199 Open to all undergraduates.
  • 200-299 Open only to juniors, seniors and those students meeting course prerequisites.
  • 300-399 Courses for graduate and advanced undergraduate students.
  • 400-499 Courses for graduate students.