UW's general education requirements are similar to those of many community colleges and other four-year colleges and universities. By the time you graduate from the UW, you must complete a minimum of (actual requirements will vary depending on the college or school your major is in):

• 5 credits of English composition
• 7-10 credits of Additional Writing
• 4-5 credits of Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning
• Foreign language through the first college year or equivalent (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work, and College of Education only)
• 10-20 credits of VLPA - Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts
• 10-20 credits of I&S - Individuals and Societies
• 10-20 credits of NW - Natural World

You earn grade points for each graded course completed. Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of credits by the grade earned.

5 credits x 3.4 grade = 17.0 grade points

This system allows a course with more credits to count more in your GPA than a course with fewer credits. A grade in a 5-credit course, for example, adds more grade points to your total than the same grade in a 2-credit course.

5 credits x 3.4 grade = 17.0 grade points
2 credits x 3.4 grade = 6.8 grade points

The grade-point average is calculated by dividing the total grade points by the number of credits attempted.

36.6 grade points divided by 15 credits = 2.44 GPA

See Computation of GPA for more information.

UW uses numerical grades, starting with 4.0 as the top grade and 0.0 as the lowest. It also has pass-fail options. See the Grading System.

Graduating Senior Registration Priority (GSP) is granted to qualifying students for their final two quarters at the UW. GSP students are eligible to register on the first day of Registration Period 1.