NU is implementing a special grading option for Fall 2020 in response to the COVID-19 situation. These grades are SD (Satisfactory Disruption) and UD (Unsatisfactory Disruption).
 
How will it work?
Each student will receive their normal letter grades. Grading type selection will open on MyRegistrar on the date specified below. Each student will need to decide whether to keep the letter grade or shift to the SD/UD grading type (2 courses maximum). Students who do not submit their choice by the deadline will retain their letter grades. After the deadline, no requests on changing grading types will be accepted (neither from letter to SD/UD, nor vice versa).

Timeline:

 
How does SD/UD grading work?
Both SD/UD do not count to GPA and CGPA.
The SD grade:
counts toward degree requirements
counts for credits
fulfills (pre-, co-, anti-) requisite requirements
will not allow students to retake the course
 
The UD grade:
doesn’t count toward degree requirements
doesn’t count for credits
doesn’t fulfill (pre-, co-, anti-) requisite requirements
will allow students to retake the course (regular retake rules will be applied)

 

What is the difference from the Spring 2020 SD/UD grades?
Only 2 courses maximum can be shifted to SD/UD grading type

GPA will affect Academic Standing which means that students will be placed on probation and dismissed based on regular rules (GPA will be counted based on the remaining letter grades)

List of graduate courses not eligible for SD/UD is updated (check below) 
 
 
What are the criteria for SD/UD?
SD grade is used for:
Letter graded courses for undergraduate students: “C-” and above.
Letter graded courses for graduate students: “C” and above.
Pass/Fail courses: Pass
GSB 2019 cohort: LP and above

NOTE: for students aiming to declare ECON major, SD grade in ECON 101, 102 or MATH 161 does not allow students to declare the major if the original grade was lower than B-. If students plan to retake one of these courses, students should keep the original letter grade since SD does not allow for retaking of courses.
 
UD grade is used for:
Letter graded courses for undergraduate students: “D+” and below.
Letter graded courses for graduate students: “C-” and below.
Pass/Fail courses: Fail
GSB courses: below LP
 
Who is eligible for SD/UD?
All programs are eligible for SD/UD except for NUZYP, NUFYP, SOM MD, SOM MS, SOM PhD, MD, SOM Applied Nursing.
 
Courses not eligible for SD/UD grading:
courses with IPS/IPU grading
GSPP capstone course MPP 699 Policy Analysis Exercise, MPA 699 Master’s Project with Overseas Component
GSE Master’s Thesis, EDML 692 Thesis Research III; EDHE/IE/SE 693 Thesis Seminar IV
 
How many courses can I shift to SD/UD grading?
2 courses maximum
 
How will SD/UD show on the transcript?
SD/UD grade will appear instead of your regular grade. A special footnote will explain the purpose and implications of the grades.
 
What will happen if I don’t make my choice on grading type?
The default grading type will remain.
 
How will SD/UD affect my academic standing?
Regular Academic standing rules will apply:

 

Undergraduate: a student who fails to satisfy conditions for Good Academic Standing (CGPA and GPA of 2.0 and above) at the end of Fall 2020 semester, will be placed on Academic Probation.

● Students who are currently on their 1st and more probation have to achieve CGPA and GPA of 2.0 and above to return to Good Academic Standing, otherwise they are subject to dismissal.

●Removal from probation decisions will be based on cumulative CGPA and semester GPA as usual.

 

Graduate: a student who fails to satisfy conditions for Good Academic Standing (check Graduate APP for details) at the end of Fall 2020 semester, will be placed on Academic Probation.

● Students who are currently on their 1st and more probation have to achieve required CGPA to return to Good Academic Standing, otherwise they are subject to dismissal.

●Removal from probation decisions will be based on cumulative CGPA as usual.

●Existing rules for conditional undergraduate students will apply: Students who are progressed on a conditional basis are required to achieve a GPA of 2.00 or above during their first semester as a student. If a conditionally progressed student fails to achieve a 2.00 GPA in Fall 2020, the first semester will automatically be adjusted to read as “1st probation”, thereby placing them on “2nd probation” in Spring 2021.

 Both CGPA and GPA will be counted after chosen grades are shifted to the preferred grading type.

●For students aiming to declare ECON major: SD grade in ECON 101, 102 or MATH 161 does not allow students to declare the major if the original grade was lower than B-. If students plan to retake one of these courses, students should keep the original letter grade since SD does not allow for retaking of courses.

 
How will SD/UD affect graduation  requirements?
Graduation requirements remain the same.
 
How will SD/UD affect prerequisite courses?
Course with SD grade will fulfill prerequisite requirement even if the passing grade was higher than C-/C.
 
Grades D and D+ are counted for credits, UD doesn’t count for credits. What if I got D/D+ and I  need credits for the course?
Since UD doesn’t count for credits, you should stay with letter grade to get your credits for the course.
 
How will SD/UD affect the Dean’s list?
There will be no Dean’s list in Fall 2020.
 
How will SD/UD affect my stipend?
Award and payment of “Nazarbayev University” stipend will be made based on the results of the Fall 2020 examination session in accordance with the criteria specified in the Regulations on stipend support provision to students of autonomous organization of education Nazarbayev University" until the moment of the possible transfer of your grades to SD/UD. Which means that your GPA based on original letter grades (before converting) will be used as usual for stipend payment.
 
  
How will SD/UD affect my employment and admission to further study?
We cannot provide a comprehensive answer to this question. We suggest that you contact your proposed employer or graduate program for further information.
 
How to convert grades to SD/UD in MyRegistrar?
Please read the instructions.
 
How can I count my GPA with SD/UD grades?
Please use this GPA calculator
  
 
Where can I see the presentation on SD/UD?

Presentations are available here: 
-for 1st year undergraduate students
-for all other students

 

Video recording of Zoom info sessions are available here:

- for 1st year undergraduate students

- for all other students

 
If I receive an Incomplete or Change of grade, will I have a chance to select my grading type after the deadline?
No, the grading type selection deadline will not be affected by change of grades or incompletes.