ects
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a system aimed at establishing mutual
university recognition of students’ academic achievements. The system is
used by over 1000 universities in Europe either for individual subjects or the
full spectrum of study courses.
The system is based on mutual trust between partner universities or institutions
in recognising students’ academic achievement on the desire for transparency
(through creation of ECTS information packages) and on the use of ECTS recognition
points (i.e. ECTS credits).
In the ECTS system, a course is seen from the point of view of the student: ECTS
credits offer information on the workload a student must expect to take on in
order to complete a course successfully. This includes both attendance at classes
and independent work for the course. According to the ECTS regulations the workload
for all subjects amounts to 30 ECTS credits per semester and 60 ECTS for a year-long
course.
Students can arrange with the ECTS co-ordinator to complete part of their studies
at one of the recognised partner universities. Before the student leaves for
the partner university a Learning Agreement is drawn up between the partner university
and its coordinators which stipulates precisely which courses the student is
to attend. Any changes to this agreement during the students stay must be negotiated
by with the two coordinators. After returning to their own university the students’ performances
will be judged and recognised on the basis of the Transcript of Records. This
procedure ensures that the student does not lose any time through their stay
abroad.
Information about ECTS at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (and information
packs where available):
- Faculty of Sciences I: Department of Physics and Department of Mathematics
- Faculty of Sciences II : Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Arts II
- Faculty of Arts I: Department of History
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
Infosheet on ECTS in English (PDF)
