European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits that are normally equivalent to 1500–1800 hours of total workload, irrespective of standard or qualification type. ECTS credits are used to facilitate transfer and progression throughout the Union. ECTS also includes a standard grading scale, intended to be shown in addition to local (i.e. national) standard grades:^[1]

Current systems

(*) Note: some Bulgarian universities have put a lesser standard for their students, although there is a particular ordinance by the Ministry of Education and Science.^[10] In such universities the hours per credit are ≈13, but this does not include the hours spent on self-study.^[11][12] Moreover, an "academic hour" in a Bulgarian educational institution is 40 or 45 minutes long - as in Dutch universities for example.^[13]

See also

• Educational policies and initiatives of the European Union
• Bologna Process
• European Higher Education Area
• ECTS grading scale
• Carnegie Unit and Student Hour
• Erasmus Programme
• Academic mobility

External links

• European Commission ECTS information
• European Commission ECTS Users' Guide
• The Official Bologna Process - European Higher Education Area Website 2010-2020
• Erasmus+ website of the European Commission
• European Commission ECVET information
• Systemy Akumulacji i Transferu Osiągnięć Na Przykładzie ECTS I ECVET

References