Erasmus Study Results - Converting Grades for Study Abroad

Everything about converting grades for Erasmus and international exchange.

As a Belgian student going on Erasmus or returning from it, you need to convert grades between different systems. Here we explain how it works.

What is Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ is a European program that gives students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or year. You take courses there that count toward your diploma at home.

Belgium actively participates in Erasmus+ with universities like KU Leuven, UGent, UCLouvain, VUB, and ULB as popular home bases.

Requirements for Erasmus

To qualify for Erasmus, you usually need to meet these conditions:

  • At least 60 ECTS completed (usually after your first year)
  • Sufficient average (varies by university, often ≥ 10/20 to 12/20)
  • Good language proficiency in the destination language
  • Learning Agreement approved by your faculty

Tip: The higher your average, the more choice you have for popular destinations!

Converting Grades to Belgium

Each country has a different grading system. When you return, your foreign grades need to be converted to the Belgian scale (0-20).

Common conversions to the Belgian scale:

  • Netherlands (1-10): NL 6 ≈ BE 12, NL 7 ≈ BE 14, NL 8 ≈ BE 16
  • Germany (1-5): DE 1 ≈ BE 18-20, DE 2 ≈ BE 14-17, DE 3 ≈ BE 10-13
  • France (0-20): Similar system, direct conversion possible
  • Spain (0-10): ES 5 ≈ BE 10, ES 7 ≈ BE 14, ES 9 ≈ BE 18
  • UK (First/2:1/2:2): First ≈ BE 16+, 2:1 ≈ BE 14-16, 2:2 ≈ BE 10-14

ECTS and Your Average

The courses you take abroad have ECTS value. These count toward your diploma just like courses at home.

Your foreign grades are converted and weighted with ECTS to be included in your study average.

Keep all official documents from your host university (Transcript of Records) safe!

Tips for Erasmus Students

  • Ask your faculty in advance how grades are converted
  • Choose courses that fit well with your curriculum at home
  • Ask your host university for a grading table for conversion
  • Stay in contact with your coordinator at home about your progress
  • Be prepared for stricter or more lenient grading - this varies greatly by country

Calculate Your Average

Use our calculator to calculate your average, including your foreign courses. Enter the converted grades and ECTS.