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CGPA Calculator for Senegal

Calculate your Moyenne Pondérée (weighted average) using Senegal's 0–20 scale. LMD framework with coefficient weighting as used by UCAD, UGB, and other Senegalese universities.

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Grading System Overview (Senegal)
LMD framework with 0–20 numerical scale and coefficient weighting

University grading in Senegal is standardized through the LMD (Licence, Master, Doctorat) framework, which was adopted in the early 2000s to align with the European Higher Education Area. The system is heavily influenced by the French academic model.

Senegal uses a 0–20 numerical scale where performance is measured through a Weighted Average (Moyenne Pondérée) calculated using Coefficients assigned to each module.

Assessment typically includes Continuous Assessment (Contrôle Continu) and a Final Examination. The final mark for a module (UE - Unité d'Enseignement) blends both components.

Pass mark: 10.00 / 20.00. Senegal utilizes a "Compensation" system where if the overall semester average is ≥10.00, the semester is validated even if specific modules are below 10 (though some institutions set a "floor" mark, e.g., 7/20).

Credits: 30 credits per semester (60 per academic year). A Licence (Bachelor's) requires 180 credits over 3 years. A Master requires an additional 120 credits.

Quick Facts
Essential information about Senegal's grading system
Main Grading ApproachWeighted Average (Moyenne Pondérée) on a 0–20 scale
Typical Scale(s)0–20 (Numerical)
Local Credit TermCrédits (Standardized under LMD; 30 credits/semester)
WeightingResults are Coefficient-weighted for averages and credits
Pass Mark10.00 / 20.00
Resits (Rattrapages)Standard practice; usually held after the second semester
Rounding RulesUsually to the nearest two decimal places; final grades often truncated
Key Definitions
Understanding Senegalese terminology
UE (Unité d'Enseignement): A pedagogical unit (module) composed of one or more subjects.
Coefficient: The multiplier used to reflect the importance or workload of a specific module when calculating averages.
Moyenne Générale: The final calculated average for a semester or year.
Crédits Capitalisés: Credits from validated UEs that a student keeps even if they fail the year overall.
Compensation: A system where high grades can compensate for low grades. If overall average ≥10, semester is validated despite individual module failures.
Rattrapage: The second-session exam (resit) for students who failed modules in the first session.
Mention: The qualitative descriptor attached to the final degree (e.g., Mention Bien, Mention Très Bien).
Step-by-Step Weighted Average Calculation
How to calculate Moyenne Générale (Semester Average)
  1. Individual Module Grade: The grade for a module is calculated based on its specific weighting (e.g., 40% Continuous Assessment, 60% Exam).
  2. Identify Coefficient: Each module (UE) has an assigned Coefficient (C) that reflects its importance or workload.
  3. Weighted Score per Module: Multiply each module's grade (G) by its coefficient (C): Weighted Score = G × C.
  4. Sum All Weighted Scores: Add up all the weighted scores from all modules.
  5. Sum All Coefficients: Add up all the coefficients from all modules.
  6. Calculate Semester Average (MS): Divide total weighted scores by total coefficients:
    MS = Σ(Grade × Coefficient) / Σ(Coefficient)
  7. Check Validation: If MS ≥ 10.00, the semester is validated and all credits are awarded (even if some modules are <10, thanks to compensation).
  8. Determine Mention: Based on the final average, a Mention is assigned (Très Bien, Bien, Assez Bien, Passable, or Ajourné).
Formula: MS = Σ(Gi × Ci) / Σ(Ci)
Primary Grade Scale (Mentions)
National standard for all universities in Senegal
Mark Range (out of 20)Local Mention (French)English EquivalentPass/Fail
16.00 – 20.00Très BienVery Good / First ClassPass
14.00 – 15.99BienGood / Upper Second (2:1)Pass
12.00 – 13.99Assez BienQuite Good / Lower Second (2:2)Pass
10.00 – 11.99PassableSatisfactory / Third ClassPass
0.00 – 9.99AjournéFailFail
GPA Mapping (For International Students)
How Senegalese marks convert to US/UK equivalents
Senegalese GradeUS Equivalent GradeUS Grade Point (4.0)UK Equivalent Class
14 – 20A4.01st Class
12 – 13.99B3.02:1
10 – 11.99C2.02:2 / 3rd
< 10F0.0Fail
Worked Example
Bachelor of Science (Licence) | Semester 1
CourseGrade (/20)CoefficientWeighted ScoreCredits
Mathematics14.50458.006
Physics09.00327.000*
Chemistry11.00333.004
English16.00116.002
TOTAL11134.0012**
Calculation:
Total Weighted Score: 58 + 27 + 33 + 16 = 134.00
Total Coefficients: 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 = 11
Semester Average (MS): 134.00 ÷ 11 = 12.18
Result: Semester VALIDATED (MS > 10.00)
Mention: Assez Bien
*Physics grade (9.00) is below 10, but thanks to Compensation, the student is awarded all 30 credits for the semester.
**Only 12 credits shown above; full semester = 30 credits total.
Special Rules & Compensation
Module compensation and resit policies
Module Compensation:

If a module (UE) is composed of multiple subjects, a high grade in one can compensate for a low grade in another to validate the UE.

Semester Compensation:

If the overall semester average (MS) is ≥10.00, the semester is considered validated and all 30 credits are awarded, even if specific modules are below 10. Some institutions set a "floor" mark (e.g., 7/20) below which compensation is impossible.

Rattrapage (Resit Exams):

Standard practice for students who failed modules in the first session. Generally, the actual mark achieved in the resit is used (not capped at 10), though some programs may cap it at 10/20.

9.5 Rounding:

Legally, a 9.5 is considered "Ajourné" (Fail), but some Pedagogical Councils may round up to 10 at their discretion during final deliberation. Always check with your institution.

Crédits Capitalisés:

Credits from validated UEs are "capitalized" (kept permanently), even if the student fails the year overall. This allows progression without repeating successfully completed modules.

International Interpretation
How Senegalese grades are viewed abroad
To US:

A 12/20 is often considered a "B" or 3.00 GPA by admissions boards. A 14/20 is typically treated as an "A" or 4.00 GPA.

To UK:

A 14/20 is typically accepted as a 2:1 equivalent for Master's entry. A 16/20 is considered First Class equivalent.

To France:

Degrees are 100% equivalent due to the shared LMD structure. Senegalese transcripts are directly recognized in France.

Important Note:

Grades above 16 are exceptionally rare in Senegal. A student with a 15/20 average is often considered in the top 5% of their class.

Variations by University
All follow national LMD framework
UniversitySystemScaleReference
Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)LMD0–20ucad.sn
Université Gaston Berger (UGB)LMD0–20ugb.sn
Université Assane Seck de ZiguinchorLMD0–20univ-zig.sn
Université Alioune Diop de BambeyLMD0–20uadb.edu.sn
What "Final Result" Means
Understanding degree averages and mentions
Moyenne de l'Année: The average of the two semesters in an academic year.
Moyenne du Diplôme: The cumulative average of the entire 3-year (Licence) or 2-year (Master) cycle. This is the final grade on your diploma.
Mention: The qualitative descriptor attached to the final degree (e.g., Mention Bien, Mention Très Bien). This appears on your official diploma.
Licence: Bachelor's degree requiring 180 credits over 3 years (60 credits/year).
Master: Master's degree requiring an additional 120 credits over 2 years (60 credits/year).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Senegal's grading system

Sources & References
Official documentation and policies
University College London - International Equivalent Qualifications
UCL
View
NCAA International Guide: Senegal
NCAA Eligibility Center
View
African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) - Senegal
African Union
View
UCAD LMD System Guide
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
View
Last Updated: February 12, 2026
Confidence Level: High
Basis: Official LMD framework regulations, UCAD pedagogical guide, and international equivalency documentation.