Weighted Average Mark (WAM)

Much like the GPA used by many other universities, the Weighted Average Mark (WAM) provides an indication of your overall academic performance here at the University.

Last updated: 05.11pm, 12 October 2023

What is my Weighted Average Mark (WAM)?

The WAM provides an overall indication of your academic performance in your course. The WAM reflects the numeric mark (eg 45%, 87%) and the number of credit points (eg 25 points) for each subject you complete. It is calculated progressively as your subject results are certified and added in my.unimelb. As it is a weighted average mark, this means that a subject worth 25 points will be weighted double that of a 12.5 point subject in calculating your WAM.

What can the WAM be used for?

Apart from providing you with an indication of how you are performing in your course, the WAM is sometimes used to assess applications for further study, employment and scholarships.

You will need to contact a particular organisation for specific information about whether they use your WAM to assess applications:

  • If another university or organisation requires information about how the University of Melbourne calculates the WAM, please refer them to this page.
  • If they use a different calculation for selection purposes, they can use the information recorded on your University of Melbourne academic transcript.  Academic transcripts include the titles of your enrolled subjects, the credit points of each subject, the results you achieved (eg 83%, H1; 48% N) and a detailed explanation of the grading scheme (eg H1, H2A, H2B).

Where can I find my WAM?

The WAM appears in the following places:

  • Academic Transcript
  • Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)
  • Statement of Results
  • Results page in eStudent.

The WAM will only display for your course if you:

  • commenced the course after 1 January 2010
  • have results entered on your student record.

See your WAM in eStudent now

How is my WAM calculated?

The weighted average mark (WAM) is calculated using this formula:

Sum of (Mark x credit points for subjects)


Sum of (Total credit points for subjects)

For example, a student has completed three subjects. Two are worth 12.5 points and the third is worth 37.5. They attained 76%, 67% and 81% respectively. The resulting calculation would be:

(76x12.5)+(67x12.5)+(81x37.5) = 4825


12.5+12.5+37.5 = 62.5

WAM = 77.200%

Do fail grades affect my WAM?

The percentage mark obtained for a failed subject contributes towards the WAM.

How will my continuing subject contribute to my WAM?

A continuing subject is when a subject is completed across multiple study periods.

If the grade code is 'CNT' (Continuing) and there is no numeric mark provided, the subject will not count toward the WAM. When a continuing subject is completed, a final grade and mark are entered against all parts of the subject. All parts of the continuing subject count toward the WAM.

For example, if you study a subject worth 50 points taught over two semesters with 25 points in each semester, the subject will only be included in your WAM once the final result (including a grade and numeric mark) is confirmed at the end of the second semester. The subject will then be weighted as 50 points in your WAM.

Are there any subjects not included in the WAM?

Subjects are not included in the WAM calculation when:

  • no mark has been recorded
  • they are marked on a pass/fail basis only
  • they have a 'withdrawn' status
  • you have been awarded Advanced Standing (credit) for a subject studied at another institution - the subject grade you received at the other institution will not be added to your University of Melbourne WAM.

What can I do if my WAM appears to be incorrect?

If your WAM appears to be incorrect, please first check the WAM calculation by:

  1. Identifying the subjects that should be included in the WAM (see above for subjects that are not included in the WAM calculation)
  2. Checking that you are viewing the WAM after all your subject results are recorded in Student
  3. Using the formula to ensure subjects are weighted correctly

If the calculation still appears wrong after following the steps above, please forward your calculation as an online enquiry with Stop 1.

WAM calculation in 2020 and second half-year 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academic Board introduced a revised method for including 2020 and second half-year (SHY) 2021 subjects in the WAM.

Results from 2020 and second half-year 2021 subjects are not included in the calculation of a student’s Weighted Average Mark (WAM) unless the mark achieved for the subject was equal to, or higher than, the benchmark WAM that the student achieved. See below for details on how the benchmark WAM is calculated.

First half-year 2021 subjects are not included in the revised calculation and will continue to count towards the normal WAM calculation. See below for further details including advice around year-long subjects.

  • WAM calculation in first half-year 2021

    The normal WAM calculation as per the Assessment and Results policy (MPF1326) applied in first half-year 2021. This means that the adjusted WAM calculation applied in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and again in second half-year 2021 in response to the sudden and prolonged reintroduction of restrictions in Victoria, does not apply to any subject completed in first half-year 2021.

    See Academic Board Resolutions for the 2020 and second half-year 2021 resolutions.

    If you are experiencing difficulties with your academic performance, there are resources and services available to assist:

  • Calculating the Benchmark WAM

    Alternative WAM Calculation 2020 - The benchmark is your WAM at the beginning of 2020. The benchmark WAM is calculated using all subjects undertaken in 2019 and earlier for which you have results. A benchmark is only calculated if you have results for at least 50 points prior to 2020. Read more about WAM Calculation above.

    Alternative WAM Calculation SHY 2021 - The benchmark is your WAM prior to SHY 2021. The benchmark WAM is calculated using all subjects undertaken prior to this point for which you have results and which contribute to your WAM. A benchmark is only calculated if you have results for at least 50 points prior to SHY 2021. If you have results for 2020 subjects that are excluded from your WAM, these results will not count towards the 50 points needed to calculate a benchmark WAM. Read more about WAM Calculation above.

  • Academic transcripts

    Results excluded from your WAM appear on your academic transcript, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) and published in my.unimelb. The results show the numeric mark and standard grade. The grade is flagged with a ‘^’ to denote that the result is excluded from the WAM (for example, 75 H2A^). A comment appears on your transcript with information on how the WAM has been calculated. Find out more about the Grading schema.

  • Information for prospective employers

    If you have COVID-19 grades, your academic transcript will include this comment to explain why some grades are flagged with a ‘^’:

    ‘If a ^ appears after a grade, the % mark recorded for that subject is excluded from the Weighted Average Mark in recognition of the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.’

    The comment will also appear on your AHEGS once your degree has been conferred.

    3rd parties can visit the University website for official information about the COVID-19 grades and changes to the WAM calculation and the Assessment and Results Policy which explains the ‘^’.

    Academic statements, such as an Evidence of Qualification letter, can be ordered and customised to include information on the revised WAM if required by an external organisation. The information that could be included is from this COVID-19 WAM website.  A charge applies and these bespoke statements usually take 10-15 days to prepare.

  • COVID-impacted results and applying for other courses

    For course applications that use the Automated Results Transfer System (ARTS) - via VTAC or GEMSAS - it is important to know that COVID-impacted results will not be transferred in these systems unless you choose to have these results included in your WAM calculation.  If you have not requested to include your COVID-19 impacted results, details of the subject, when it was undertaken and if it was passed or failed will be provided, but not the mark or the grade received.  This prevents these results from being included in WAM calculations for entry into courses at other institutions that you have applied for via VTAC. It also prevents these results from being included in GPA calculations for any of the GEMPASS Australia Medical Schools applied for via GEMSAS, with the exception of the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Medicine*

    *Note: University of Melbourne students applying to the following University of Melbourne courses via GEMAS - Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery and/or Doctor of Optometry - even if you choose to have your COVID-impacted results excluded from your WAM and therefore not transferred via ARTS, you will still have your Semester 2, 2021 results included in GPA/WAM calculations from 2023 intake onwards for these courses, as per the amendment to the Academic Board resolution on 9 December 2021.

Frequently asked questions about WAM in second half-year 2021 and in 2020

  • Can I request to have subjects included in my WAM?

    Yes. You can request that COVID-19 grades be included in your WAM. If all of your 2020 and/or second half-year 2021 grades have been excluded from your WAM (e.g. if you did not have a benchmark WAM comprising 50 or more points at the beginning of 2020 or second half-year 2021 respectively), by waiting until the end of your final semester, you will be able to calculate whether including the COVID-19 grades will increase your WAM.

    If you are completing your course in second half year 2023, please submit your request by 5pm AEDT Friday 24 November 2023 so that every effort can be made to have your results updated before your academic transcript is issued when you complete your course. If you submit your request after this date it will still be accepted and an updated transcript will be issued.

    Once your request is actioned, all your COVID-19 grades (for 2020 and second-half 2021) be changed back to standard grades and included in the WAM calculation.

    Note, some course entry requirements may stipulate specific conditions about the inclusion or exclusion of COVID-19 grades in 2020 or second half-year 2021 in determining the WAM to be used for admission. Please continue to check course entry requirements in the Handbook for specific course entry requirements.

  • How do I request to have subjects included in my WAM?

    You can submit the request to have COVID-19 grades included in your WAM online form.

    If you are completing your course in second half year 2023, please submit your request by 5pm AEDT Friday 24 November 2023 so that every effort can be made to have your results updated before your academic transcript is issued when you complete your course.

  • Can I select which subjects are included or excluded from my WAM?

    No. You can have either all subjects with the COVID-19 grade code (regardless of year*) in your WAM, or none of these subjects included in your WAM. Choosing which subjects to include or exclude is not permitted.

    * ie. It’s not possible for subjects with the COVID-19 grade undertaken in 2020 to be included, and for the second-half year 2021 subjects to be excluded (or vice versa).

  • Are Year Long subjects assessed for WAM exclusion?

    Year Long subjects are not eligible to be excluded from the WAM calculation unless otherwise approved by your faculty dean. Contact Stop 1 if you require further information.

  • The honours degree I am enrolled in is awarded with an overall award level based on my WAM? Will results that are excluded from my WAM also be excluded when calculating my award level?

    Yes, COVID-19 grades excluded from your WAM will also be excluded when calculating your award level.

  • Why weren’t these arrangements applied to first half-year 2021 subjects?

    In 2020, the impacts of the pandemic were sudden and disruptive, with a rapid and unprecedented transition to online teaching and learning for all students, and as such the University of Melbourne introduced a temporary adjustment to the WAM policy.

    In first half-year 2021, while the COVID-19 pandemic continued, we did not experience the same level of disruption to teaching and learning activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. The University worked hard to inform students of subject delivery modes and normal WAM arrangements well before the start of semester, giving students increased certainty when planning their studies.

    In second half-year 2021, we once again experienced unanticipated and sudden disruptions in the days before Semester 2 started and this extending throughout semester which impacted teaching and learning activities, meaning the conditions from 2020 are once again applicable in second half-year 2021.

Need help with your WAM?

Submit an online enquiry to Stop 1 and we'll get back to you within 10 business days.

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