ECTS stands for “European Credit Transfer System”. ECTS was established under the ERASMUS Programme (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students). The main objective of ECTS is to enable students to get the most out of their studies abroad by guaranteeing academic recognition of their work through credit transfer. The credit transfer system makes it possible to measure and compare the results achieved by the students from one institution to another.
The Allocation of Credit Points
ECTS is a credit system based on student workload. Credits are allocated to each course unit in relation to the total quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic studies; this includes lectures, practical work, seminars, private work, and exams.
In ECTS, 60 credits represent the workload of a year of study, generally 30 credits are given for a semester and 20 for at trimester.
ECTS can also be allocated for practical experience, thesis work and optional courses, if these activities form an integral part of the study programme.
Credits are only allocated if the course has been completed and all necessary exams are passed.
The ECTS Grading Scale
Examination and other assessment results are normally expressed in grades and the grading scales may vary considerably from one country to another. Therefore an ECTS grading scale has been developed. It is not meant to replace the local grading scales, but it may help institutions to interpret the grades awarded to ECTS students and facilitate the comparison of results from one country to another.
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