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The European Credit Transfer System

What are ECTS Credits?

The ECTS credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme by attaching credits to its components. The definition of credits in higher education systems may be based on different parameters, such as student workload, learning outcomes and contact hours.

Credit ratings vary, but as a rule of thumb

• 60 credits represent one year of study (in terms of workload)
• 30 credits are given for six months (a semester) and
• 20 credits for a term (a trimester).

ECTS credits are also allocated to practical placements and to thesis preparation when these activities form part of the regular programme of study at both the home and host institutions.

ECTS credits are allocated to courses and are awarded to students who successfully complete those courses by passing the examinations or other assessments.

Why use the ECTS Grading Scale?

Since examination and assessment results (normally expressed in grades) vary between institutions and country a method is needed to compare courses to each other.

The ECTS grading scale was therefore set up to allow institutions to comare student achievements between each other regardless of location.

Higher education institutions make their own decisions on how to apply the ECTS grading scale to their own system.