Cum laude is an academic distinction awarded on graduation for a high average across your qualification. There is no national standard: each South African university sets its own threshold, the average is typically calculated on your final-year or exit-level modules, and the rules are published in that institution academic regulations.
Because the threshold and the calculation both differ by institution, the only reliable answer for your situation is your own university rules. Averages in the region of seventy-five per cent are common as a starting point, but this varies and some institutions set it higher.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Whether you graduate cum laude generally depends on the following, all set by your institution.
- The average percentage required, which differs between institutions
- Which modules count towards the average, commonly final-year or exit-level modules
- Whether you completed the qualification in the minimum period
- Whether you failed or repeated any module
- Whether any modules were taken at another institution
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Most institutions calculate the average on your final-year or exit-level modules rather than across every year of the degree, which means a weak first year does not necessarily exclude you. Some calculate across the whole qualification, so check which applies.
Many institutions require that you complete the qualification within the minimum prescribed period. Taking an extra year, even for good reason, can disqualify you at institutions with that rule.
Failing or repeating a module commonly disqualifies a cum laude award regardless of your final average. Some institutions apply this strictly, others only where the repeat falls within the modules being averaged.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
There are typically several levels of distinction. Cum laude is the most commonly awarded, with magna cum laude and summa cum laude used at some institutions for higher thresholds. Not every institution uses all three.
For postgraduate qualifications, particularly master’s degrees by dissertation, the rules differ again and often depend on the examiners marks rather than on a coursework average.
The distinction appears on your academic record and certificate, so it is worth understanding the rules early rather than discovering at graduation that a repeated module excluded you.
Documents and Application Requirements
You do not apply for cum laude; it is awarded automatically. If you want to confirm your position, the following are useful.
- Your full academic record, showing every module and mark
- Your institution academic regulations or general rules document
- Written confirmation from your faculty of which modules count towards the average
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
If you are close to the threshold, ask your faculty administrator in advance exactly which modules are included and how the average is weighted. Weighting by module credits rather than a simple average can change the outcome.
Where you believe an award was incorrectly withheld, institutions have processes for querying results and graduation records. Raise it before graduation if you can, since correcting a certificate afterwards is more difficult.
Do not rely on what other students tell you, or on the rules at a different university. This is one of the areas where institutional rules genuinely differ, and where secondhand information is frequently wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What average do I need for cum laude?
It differs by institution. Averages around seventy-five per cent are a common starting point, but some institutions set it higher. Check your own institution academic regulations.
Does a failed module disqualify me?
At many institutions yes, regardless of your final average. Confirm your institution rule.
Which modules count towards the average?
Commonly final-year or exit-level modules, though some institutions average the whole qualification. Ask your faculty which applies.
Do I have to apply for it?
No. It is awarded automatically on graduation based on your record.
Confirm the threshold, the modules included and the minimum-period rule in your own institution academic regulations, since there is no national standard. Confirm the exact APS, subject levels and closing dates with each institution for your intake year, since these differ between institutions and change between years. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.