SMU students are awarded their degrees according to the level of academic distinction that they have achieved. This is reflected in the final Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) that they attain following completion of their degree programmes.
Undergraduate degrees are awarded based on the following:
| Cumulative GPA |
Award |
| 3.80 and above |
Summa Cum Laude |
| 3.60 - 3.79 |
Magna Cum Laude |
| 3.40 - 3.59 |
Cum Laude |
| 3.20 - 3.39 |
High Merit |
| 3.00 - 3.19 |
Merit |
Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude are latin honours adopted from the US system, and can be translated as with Highest Distinction, with High Distinction and with Distinction respectively. They do not equate to the various classes of degree honours conferred by universities that follow the British system. Cum laude and merit awards are reflected in both the degree scroll and the official transcript.
Those who have not attained a Cumulative GPA of 3.00 and are eligible to graduate will receive their degrees without any mention of award type in their scrolls.
SMU is the best place to have an all-rounded education and I will never regret having made this choice. 
