Academic Excellence & Award Abbreviations
Explore the 'with Excellence' and 'with Distinction' awards and award abbreviations across all levels
Recognising UNSW achievements in academic excellence and award abbreviations
Learn about the eligibility criteria and recognition associated with degrees awarded 'with Distinction' and 'with Excellence', and access a complete list of formal post-nominal abbreviations for accomplishments across all levels at UNSW.
See also
Award of Pass with Distinction (Undergraduate)
The award of Pass with Distinction provides formal recognition on the testamur and academic transcript of excellence in overall academic performance in undergraduate Bachelor Pass degree. This award is only valid for programs where an award with Honours is not available. Eligibility criteria as follows:
- Overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
- Calculation of WAM
- Credit completion requirement
- Application process
- Additional information
A minimum WAM of 75 must be achieved in all courses completed since enrolment at UNSW that are credited to the relevant award.
This includes courses from other UNSW programs where credit has been granted.
The recognition of other specified levels of academic performance on the testamur for Pass degree programs is not permitted, specifically any award based on levels other than 'with Distinction'.
- Failed courses: All failed courses are included in the WAM calculation
- Exchange and cross-institutional courses: Courses completed on exchange or at other institutions are not included in the WAM calculation.
WAM is not rounded up or down for the purposes of awarding with Distinction.
Students must have completed at least 50% of the requirements of their award through UNSW. Students undertaking courses under exchange or overseas study arrangements will not be disadvantaged.
Students do not need to apply for this award. Eligible students are identified by the Program Authority when checking students for graduation.
It is expected that all eligible programs will award "with Distinction," except in special circumstances where a program authority has the approval of the Academic Board to opt out.
View historical information on Council approvals of Pass with Distinction procedure.
- Overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
- Calculation of WAM
- Credit completion requirement
- Application process
- Additional information
A minimum WAM of 80 must be achieved in all courses completed since enrolment at UNSW that are credited to the relevant award. This includes:
- Courses from other UNSW programs where credit has been granted
- Courses completed as part of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma that articulates to the master's program.
The recognition of any specified levels of academic performance on the testamur for coursework master's awards is not permitted; this includes any award based on levels other than ‘with Excellence’.
- Failed courses: All failed courses are included in the WAM calculation
- Exchange and cross-institutional courses: Courses completed on exchange or at other institutions are not included in the WAM calculation.
WAM is not rounded up or down for the purposes of awarding with Excellence.
Students must have completed at least 50% of the requirements of their award through UNSW. Students undertaking courses under exchange or overseas study arrangements will not be disadvantaged.
Students do not need to apply for this award. Eligible students are identified by the Program Authority when checking students for graduation.
- An award ‘with Excellence’ cannot be awarded for Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters (Extended) programs
- It is expected that all eligible programs will award "with Excellence," except in special circumstances where a program authority has the approval of the Academic Board to opt out.
Award Name Abbreviations
(Post-nominals)
This list of post-nominal letters for Awards can be used as a reference for recent graduates of UNSW. For a list of programs currently available for enrolment, refer to the Handbook.
Have a question?
Contact us for advice on all things UNSW, including faculty-specific questions, essential services, and even support and development. We’re here to help.