Latin honours facts for kids

Latin honours are special phrases in Latin that universities use to show how well a student did when they earned their college degree. Think of them as extra awards for excellent grades!

The most common Latin honours are:

• cum laude (which means "with honor")
• magna cum laude (meaning "with great honor")
• summa cum laude (meaning "with highest honor")

This system is very popular in countries like Canada, the United States, and many places in Europe. Some universities in other parts of the world might use the English versions of these phrases instead of the Latin ones.

What are Latin Honours?

Latin honours are a way for schools to celebrate students who achieve really high grades throughout their studies. It's like getting a special badge on your diploma that says, "Wow, you did an amazing job!"

Different Levels of Honour

There are a few different levels of Latin honours, each showing a different level of academic success.

Cum Laude

Cum laude is the first level of Latin honours. It means "with honor." Students who earn this usually have a very good GPA, showing they worked hard and understood their subjects well.

Magna Cum Laude

Magna cum laude means "with great honor." This is for students who did even better than those who received cum laude. Their grades are usually excellent, showing a strong dedication to their studies.

Summa Cum Laude

Summa cum laude is the highest honour you can get. It means "with highest honor." Students who achieve this have truly outstanding grades, often near perfect, throughout their entire college career. It's a sign of exceptional academic achievement.

Egregia Cum Laude

There's also a less common honour called egregia cum laude, which means "with outstanding honor." This special award was created by some universities, like the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University. It's for students who not only got grades as high as summa cum laude but also took on even tougher, more challenging courses in an honours program.

Where are Latin Honours Used?

Latin honours are mainly used in universities and colleges in North America (like Canada and the United States) and many countries in Europe. They are a traditional way to recognize academic excellence at graduation ceremonies.

See also

In Spanish: Cum laude para niños