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The short answer
A passing grade depends on where you study. In the UK the pass mark is typically 40 per cent. In Australia it is 50 per cent. In the US a D (1.0) is the lowest passing grade, though many programmes require a C (2.0) average. Canada and the EU vary by institution and country.
What is the pass mark in each country?
| Region | Lowest pass | Note |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 40 per cent | A Third; below this is usually a fail (prospects.ac.uk) |
| Australia | 50 per cent | A Pass (P, 4 on the 7-point scale) (openeducat.org) |
| United States | D (1.0) | Often the minimum, but many programmes need a C (2.0) (apporto.com) |
| Canada | Varies, often 50 per cent | Depends on the university and province (idp.com) |
| EU | Varies | For example France 10 out of 20, Italy 18 out of 30, Spain 5 out of 10 (ECTS Users’ Guide 2015) |
Is a C a passing grade?
In the US a C (2.0) is a clear pass, and it is often the minimum average a programme will accept for graduation or for core courses (apporto.com). A D (1.0) usually passes an individual course but can be treated as unsatisfactory for major requirements, so a pass is not always enough on its own.
Does a pass always count towards your degree?
Not always. Passing a module and meeting a programme’s progression rules are two different things. Some courses require a minimum grade in specific modules, a minimum overall average, or a pass in every assessment within a module. Check your programme handbook for the rule that applies to you, because the module pass mark is only part of the picture.
What happens if you fail a module?
Most universities let you resit or resubmit, often with the final mark capped at the pass mark. The exact rules, deadlines and caps are set by your university, so read the regulations and speak to your tutor early. Our guide to coursework resit and resubmission walks through the options, and if a deadline is the problem, see what to do about a missed deadline. Failing one assessment is usually recoverable if you act quickly.
How do you make sure you pass before you submit?
Two checks help before a deadline. Grade Predictor shows the likely grade from your draft, brief and rubric, so you can see whether you are clear of the pass line while there is still time to fix things. The first two predictions are free with no card, and your files are kept private and never shared. Plag Check returns a Turnitin similarity and AI report in about fifteen minutes, so you can clear up accidental similarity before you hand the work in. Run the submission checklist last.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is a passing grade at university?
It depends on the country. The UK pass mark is typically 40 per cent, Australia is 50 per cent, and in the US a D (1.0) is the lowest pass.
Is a C a passing grade?
Yes. In the US a C (2.0) passes and is often the minimum average a programme accepts.
What happens if I fail a module?
Most universities allow a resit or resubmission, often with the mark capped at the pass mark. Check your programme regulations.
Written by the DoMyWork team. First published 27 Oct 2026.
