In Poland, each higher education institution sets its grading scale to assess students' performance. However, the most common scale is indicated in the table below:

Grading system and ECTS

The Polish grading system in higher education is based on the 5 to 2 scale, where 5 is the best mark and 2 is the worst.

Moreover, students can also be marked with additional signs of + and -. Each of them equals half a point: + means 0.5 more. Some courses, however, are not evaluated on such a marking scheme, and for these, a student may simply obtain zal. or zaliczenie which means that their workload was satisfactory and they have passed the course.

As there are many different grading systems in Europe, the ECTS grading scale has been developed to help institutions translate the grades awarded by host institutions to ECTS students. This provides additional information on the student's performance to that provided by the institution's grade but does not replace the local grade.

In general, ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) helps facilitate the recognition of periods of study abroad and enhances the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe. The Nicolaus Copernicus University also follows the ECTS scheme, which means that ECTS credits are allocated to course units, lectures, practical works, etc. at each faculty. In ECTS, 60 credits represent one year of study (in terms of workload); normally 30 credits are given for six months (a term/semester). ECTS credits are also allocated to thesis preparation if this activity forms a part of the regular program of study at both home and host institutions. Credits are allocated to courses and are awarded to students who successfully complete those courses by passing the examinations or other assessments. ECTS credits do not replace local grades! They make study programs easier to read and compare for all students and lecturers, local and foreign.