What Is Meðaleinkunn?

Meðaleinkunn is the Icelandic word for your cumulative weighted grade average. It is the number your university uses to summarise your academic performance across all your courses. Every course you take contributes to it, but not equally: courses worth more ECTS credits pull your average harder than lighter courses.

Most students think of their meðaleinkunn as a single number between 0 and 10. A 5.0 is the minimum pass at most Icelandic institutions. A 9.0 or above puts you in the top tier. Anything below 5.0 is a fail on that course and will drag your cumulative average down until you retake or replace it.

How the Calculation Works

The formula is straightforward. For each course, multiply your grade by the number of ECTS credits it carries. Add up all those products. Then divide by the total number of credits you have taken.

That student’s meðaleinkunn is 8.19. Not 8.0 (the simple average of 8.5, 6.5, and 9.0). The credit weighting matters because a 4-credit course is literally worth less than a 6-credit one in your overall standing.

The Icelandic Grading Scale

Iceland uses a 0–10 numerical scale that maps to the European ECTS letter grades. Here is how each level translates:

Table of Truth: Sample Calculations

Use these examples to check your own numbers make sense.

Edge Cases and Real Questions

Does a failed course count toward my meðaleinkunn?

Yes, in most cases. If the fail is on your transcript, the grade (even a 2.0 or 3.5) gets weighted into your cumulative average. Some universities allow you to replace a failed grade when you retake the course; others average both attempts. Check your institution’s policy because this can significantly affect your meðaleinkunn.

What meðaleinkunn do I need for a scholarship in Iceland?

The Icelandic Student Loan Fund (Menntasjodur Namsmanna) does not typically require a minimum GPA for standard loans. But most merit-based scholarships, including those at Háskóli Íslands, want a meðaleinkunn of 7.5 or above (ECTS B) for consideration. Some competitive programs and external grants look for 8.0 or higher.

My university uses a semester GPA, not cumulative. What is the difference?

A semester GPA only counts the courses from one term. Your meðaleinkunn is cumulative: it includes every course you have ever completed at that institution. This calculator computes whichever one you feed it. Just enter only this semester’s courses for a semester GPA, or all your courses for the cumulative figure.

How do I convert my meðaleinkunn for a UK or US application?

There is no single official conversion table. As a rough guide: 9.0 or above maps to a UK First Class (70%+) or US 4.0 GPA. Around 7.5–8.9 maps to UK Upper Second (2:1) or US 3.3–3.7. Around 6.5–7.4 maps to UK Lower Second (2:2) or US 2.7–3.2. For formal applications, agencies like WES (World Education Services) or UK ENIC will evaluate your transcript using an official methodology. Do not rely on approximate conversions for visa or admissions purposes.

I have transfer credits from another university. Do they count?

That depends on your institution’s recognition policy. Háskóli Íslands typically requires you to transfer credits through their Recognition Committee (Viðurkenningaráð). Accepted transfer credits may or may not carry grades into your meðaleinkunn. Credits recognised without a grade are usually excluded from the calculation but still count toward your total credit requirement for graduation.

Common Mistakes That Change Your Meðaleinkunn

• Using a simple average instead of a weighted one (credits are not equal)
• Forgetting to include failed courses that are still on your transcript
• Assuming a retake completely removes the original grade instead of averaging both
• Including incomplete or in-progress courses in your calculation
• Confusing semester GPA with cumulative meðaleinkunn

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7.5 a good meðaleinkunn in Iceland?

Yes, 7.5 is a solid result. It puts you in ECTS B territory, which is described as “very good” and above average relative to your peers. Most competitive scholarships and graduate program applications look for 7.0 to 7.5 as a minimum. A 7.5 meðaleinkunn is competitive for most opportunities.

How many ECTS credits is a full year in Iceland?

A standard full-time academic year in Iceland is 60 ECTS credits (30 per semester). A bachelor’s degree is typically 180 ECTS (3 years). A master’s degree adds 60 to 120 ECTS depending on the program.

Can I have a passing meðaleinkunn but still fail a course?

Yes. These are separate things. Your meðaleinkunn reflects your overall average, but each course has its own pass or fail outcome. A strong average does not cancel a failed module. You still need to resit or retake any course where your grade fell below the minimum passing threshold.

What is the difference between einkunn and meðaleinkunn?

Einkunn is the Icelandic word for a single grade on a specific course or exam. Meðaleinkunn (from “meðal,” meaning average) refers to your cumulative weighted average across multiple courses. When you see it on a transcript or application form, they want the meðaleinkunn: the overall figure, not any individual grade.

Does the calculator work for high school (Menntaskóli) grades too?

Yes. Icelandic upper secondary schools (menntaskólar) also use the 0–10 scale and credit-based weighting. The same formula applies. Enter your matríkuleinkunnir (matriculation exam grades) and their credit weights to calculate your meðaleinkunn for university applications.