A new graduation policy adopted in 2004 specifies that all students must attain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 (C in the letter grade) or above in order to graduate.

This new policy applies to the first year students (whose student number begins with A4) admitted in 2004. The main difference between the new and old graduation policy is the change of the GPA system. In the new policy, if a student's GPA is below 2.0, even though he passes all of the courses, he will not be able to graduate. However, the graduating GPA in the old system was 1.0.

In addition, the cumulative GPA for retaking a course will be counted as 2.0 even if the course result is higher than C. The best grade of the retake attempts will only appear in the transcript, and all the retake attempts will be recorded in the transcript.

Dr Tim Simpson, head of the Communication Department, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities (FSH), said that sometimes students pass the class, but their knowledge of the subject is limited, the advantage of the new GPA system ensures that students pass the class with an acceptable level of knowledge.

A 4th year student in the University of Macau (UM), Ng U Cheng, agreed to the change of the GPA system. "The new policy is good to push students to study hard," he said. Another 1st year student in FSH, Fong Ka Man, also thought that it is not difficult for an average student to reach 2.0 in GPA.

However, some UM students are worrying about the new policy. Christina Cheng, a 1st year student, held a completely different opinion on the new GPA system, "I think it is not fair if I have to retake a course for getting GPA 2.0," said Cheng.

From now on, GPA 2.0 is a minimum limit for every student. Will it increase the quality of UM students? Students have varied opinions. Nevertheless, Dr. Simpson said that the quality of the students is getting better and he is satisfied with it.