OUI CHANNEL:   ECTS Credits Video

1.  What is a system of credits?

A system of credits is a systematic form of describing an education program by assigning credits  to its various components. The definition of credits in higher education systems is based on different benchmarks such as a student’s work load, learning outcomes, and the number of contact teaching hours.

2. What is ECTS?

It  is the European System for the transfer and accumulation of academic credits. It is a system that is primarily student- focused. Essentially, it  is based on the amount of a student’s work load that is necessary to execute the  program objectives. These objectives are specified in terms of the learning outcomes and the skills that need to be acquired.

3. Development

ECTS was adopted in 1989 within the framework of the ERASMUS Program. However, it is now integrated into the Socrates Program.

The ECTS is the only credit system  that has been widely practised and used in Europe.

The ECTS was initially created for the transfer of credits. For example, the ECTS system  facilitates the  recognition of studies taken abroad, thus enhancing the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe.

The ECTS is now becoming a system of credits that can be applied on an institutional, regional, national and European level. Indeed, this is one of the key objectives of the June 1999 Declaration of Bologna.

4.    Why choose ECTS?

The ECTS system enables study programs to be more practical and straight- forward for  both local and foreign students. In other words, it facilitates mobility and academic recognition. What’s more, it helps universities to organize and revise their study programs.  Also, it can be used for various programs and teaching modalities. In short, it enables European Higher Education to be more attractive for students from other continents.

Essential characteristics:

The ECTS is based on the convention that 60 credits is equivalent to the  amount of work for a full time student on an academic course. The workload for a student in full time study  in Europe  in most cases  is equivalent  to 36/40 weeks per annum. In this particular case, one credit represents 24-30 hours of work. The workload also includes  the estimated amount of time that a student has to wait before obtaining the desired learning outcome.

Credit is also a way of quantifying learning outcomes. Learning outcomes are combined skills that demonstrate what the student knows, understands, or is capable of within the duration of a short or  long term academic program.In this system, credits can only be obtained once the required work has been completed and there has been an adequate assessment of the learning outcome.

The assigning of ECTS credits is based on the oficial duration of one academic cycle. The amount of work  required to obtain a first cycle qualification  that officially lasts between 3-6 months is calculated at 180-240 credits.

An ETS  student’s workload includes the amount of time that has been invested in class attendance, seminars, personal study, and exams.

Credits will be  assigned  to all the educational components of a study program such as modules, courses, practicum, dissertations and so on.  Credits reflect the volume of work for each component, i.e.  in relation to the total volume of work that is necessary to complete an entire course for the chosen program.

The student results are documented by providing a local/ national grade. It is good practice to add an ECTS grade, especially in the case of transferring credits. In the ECTS grading  scale, the students are classified on a statistical basis. The statistical data about student results are a prerequisite for applying the ECTS qualification system.

Grades are provided according to the following scale:

-    A the best 10%

-    B the following  25%

-    C The following 30 %

-    D- The following  25%

-    E- The following 10%

A distinction is made, however, between grades FX and F, which are two grades given to students who fail.  FX means “failed grade- and more work is required in order to pass”;  F means “failed grade- and a substantial amount of work is required to pass”. The inclusion of failed grades in the academic report is optional.

Essential documents:

Informative Catalogue/ Course Guide – published in two languages.  If the program is taught in English, the material will be provided in that language only. Alternatively, there may be a web or printed version.  The information could be  in one single document, or several documents. The Informative Catalogue/ Course Guide should include all the points from the list of epigraphs. This also includes information for foreign students that plan to study at the university.

The independent study contract contains a list of academic subjects that need to be completed and which need to be agreed upon between the student and the academic body of the institution.

The academic record  documents the student’s results and shows the list of subjects taken and the credits received – it is just like the local grading system. In this  particular case, ECTS grades are provided. In the  transfer of credits, the home institution will issue the academic certificate to students, i.e. before  they leave.  The host university will use the same  procedure for students  that reach the end of their course.

3.    How do you  obtain ECTS recognition? (Honorable mention)

An honourable  mention will be given to the institutions that successfully apply ECTS to all their leading programs on a first and second title cycle basis. The ECT SD reference will give ecidence to the fact that the  said institution is a transparent and trustworthy member of European and International Cooperation.

The criteria required for an ECTS  waiver are: an informative catalogue/ course guide (on a webpage or on paper;  on one page  or several pages); in two languages (or only in English for programs taught in English); previous usage of ECTS credits; examples of independent study contracts; academic records and academic recognition certificates.

A request form has been published on the website in the technical assistance office of the Socrates, Leonardo and Youth Programs.  The deadline for the form is extended until November 1, 2003 ( and will then be renewed annually). The honorable mention will be valid for three academic years. The list of institutions that are in possession of the ECTS recognized certificate will be published in the Europa Web page.

The European Diploma  Supplement

The European Diploma  Supplement is a supplementary document for a higher education title that provides a standardized description  of the nature, level, context and range of studies successfully completed for the degree title. The diploma supplement provides transparency and facilitates academic and professional  recognition of qualifications (diplomas, academic titles, certificates etc). Official recognition of a European degree is given to those institutions that offer the diploma  supplement to graduates from the leading programs in the first and second cycles, and which is in accordance with the structure and recommendations.

For further information please visit: http://www.ects.es/es/ects-1

edited and revised: 11-06-09