The European Higher Education Area or EHEA uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) as one of its tools to enhance study and course transparency. It is a points-based system used by universities and sanctioned by governments that facilitates cross-border comparisons of international education.
It was designed based on learning objectives and the required amount of study hours. It makes it easier for students to relocate across countries and to get their academic credentials and time spent studying elsewhere recognised.
Here, in this article, we will go over the ECTS credits in-depth and discuss ‘What is ECTS credits calculator’ and its working process.
This is one of the topics that can help you start your study abroad journey with Edvoy
What is the full form of the ECTS Credits Calculator?
The full form of the ECTS Credits Calculator is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Credits Calculator, which helps you to calculate a course's academic credits in the ECTS, given the total actual hours of work a student will perform.
The credits earned at one higher education institution can be applied toward a certification earned at another, allowing foreign candidates to make the most of their study abroad experience.
The ECTS Credit Transfer is applicable to all full-time bachelor's, master's and doctorate (PhD) degrees, as well as study-exchange programs at universities that recognise ECTS.
Also read: Study in Germany | Study in France
How does ECTS Credits Calculator work?
The ECTS User Guide of the European Union states:
A student receives ECTS credit points after completing a course, seminar, or module. Every ECTS credit point indicates the quantity of work completed over the specified duration. The types of ECTS credits allocated to each university degree:
- 60 ECTS credits: For 1 full year of academic studies (usually for a semester it is 30 credits, and for a trimester, it is 20 credits)
- 180 ECTS credits: For a 3-year bachelor's program
- 240 ECTS credits: For a 4-year bachelor's program
- 90 or 120 ECTS credits: For 1-2 years master's program
Conversion of ECTS credits to study hours
The number of credits for a course is determined by the total number of hours worked on the course and the overall yearly workload.
Some of the popular countries that accept ECTS credit points with study hours have been listed below:
| Countries | 1 ECTS credits = Study hours |
|---|---|
| Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Romania | 30 |
| Netherlands, Portugal | 28 |
| Finland, Lithuania, Sweden | 27 |
| Austria, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Spain | 25 |
| United Kingdom | 20 |
The formula used is:
(((weekly class hours * class hour duration) + (weekly other hours * other hour duration)) / 60 minutes * number of weeks) + one-time hours) / (yearly workload/ 60 ECTS)
It could also be said that the total hours worked as a fraction of the yearly workload, times 60.
Now that you know what is an ECTS credits calculator and how does an ECTS credits calculator work, you must also be aware of the fact that most of the nations in the EHEA have made ECTS their national credit system, and its usage has seen a hike.
Edvoy, your go-to aide is here to brief you on these topics and related ones. You can also clarify queries like “Is it better to study in Europe or the United States?”, and be guided in the best way possible that will aid in fulfilling your study abroad dreams.
