ECTS (The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a learner-centred system which aims to increase transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes.
It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility.
ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks. Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.
60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. Credits are allocated to entire qualifications or study programmes as well as to their educational components (such as modules, course units, dissertation work, work placements and laboratory work). The number of credits ascribed to each component is based on its weight in terms of the workload students need in order to achieve the learning outcomes in a formal context.
Credits are awarded to individual students after completion of the learning activities required by a formal programme of study or by a single educational component and the successful assessment of the achieved learning outcomes.
Credits awarded in one programme may be transferred into another programme, offered by the same or another institution. This transfer can only take place if the degree-awarding institution recognises the credits and the associated learning outcomes.
Partner institutions should agree in advance on the recognition of periods of study abroad.
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