EUROPEAN CREDIT TRANSFER AND ACCUMULATION SYSTEM (ECTS)
What is ECTS?
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a framework within the European Higher Education Area designed to enhance the transparency of academic programs and facilitate student mobility across borders. It ensures that students can transfer credits earned at one institution to another, allowing for the recognition of qualifications and study periods completed abroad.
ECTS credits are based on defined learning outcomes and associated workloads, allowing students to accumulate credits towards qualifications from different institutions. This system supports flexible study programs and aids in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of higher education courses. ECTS is a fundamental component of the Bologna Process, which seeks to make education systems more comparable on an international level. It also enhances the clarity and usability of academic documents such as the Diploma Supplement.
Most countries within the European Higher Education Area have adopted ECTS as their national credit system, and its use is expanding globally.
Why is ECTS Important?
National differences in higher education systems can complicate the recognition of qualifications and mobility. ECTS addresses these challenges by standardizing learning outcomes and workloads, thus improving understanding and facilitating credit transfer.
It also accommodates various learning styles by integrating different modes of learning, such as academic and work-based experiences, within the same program or through lifelong learning.
How Does ECTS Work?
60 ECTS credits typically represent one full year of study or work. These credits are usually distributed across several smaller modules throughout an academic year. A short cycle qualification usually requires 90-120 ECTS credits. A first cycle (bachelor’s) degree generally consists of 180-240 ECTS credits. A second cycle (master’s) degree typically involves 90-120 ECTS credits. For the third cycle (Ph.D.), the use of ECTS varies.ECTS facilitates student mobility between institutions by using tools like course catalogues, Learning Agreements, and Transcripts of Records to support the recognition and transfer of credits earned abroad. The ECTS Users' Guide provides detailed information on the system and its application.