ECTS Credit System
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is the academic standard adopted within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to ensure transparency, comparability and international recognition of higher education qualifications.
At Unitelematik International Leonhard Euler, academic programmes are structured according to the ECTS framework, ensuring clarity in programme design, transparency in learning outcomes and compatibility with international higher education systems.
The adoption of the ECTS system allows universities to make study programmes more understandable and comparable across institutions and countries, facilitating academic mobility and recognition of qualifications.
What ECTS Credits Represent
ECTS credits express the volume of learning based on the learning outcomes achieved and the workload required for students to complete a course of study.
They represent the time normally required to complete all learning activities, including:
- lectures and seminars
- individual study
- projects and practical exercises
- laboratory work
- internships or professional training
- preparation and completion of examinations
Within the ECTS framework:
- 60 ECTS credits correspond to one full academic year of study
- 1 ECTS credit generally represents 25–30 hours of student workload
This structure ensures a consistent and transparent way to measure academic learning across higher education institutions.
Academic Degree Structure in ECTS
Within the European Higher Education Area, higher education degrees are typically structured according to three main cycles:
Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
- Typically 180 – 240 ECTS credits
- Corresponds to Level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
Master’s Degree (Second Cycle)
- Typically 90 – 120 ECTS credits
- Corresponds to Level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
Doctorate / PhD (Third Cycle)
- Corresponds to Level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
- In some cases, ECTS credits may also be applied to structured doctoral training components.
This academic structure is aligned with the Bologna Process, which aims to harmonise higher education systems across Europe and support international academic cooperation.
Learning Outcomes
In the ECTS system, study programmes are designed based on Learning Outcomes.
Learning outcomes describe what a student:
- knows
- understands
- is able to do
after successfully completing a course of study.
They provide the basis for:
- designing academic programmes
- assigning ECTS credits
- evaluating student achievement
This approach places the student at the centre of the learning process, reflecting the principles of Student-Centred Learning promoted within the European Higher Education Area.
Credit Accumulation and Transfer
The ECTS system supports two fundamental academic functions:
Credit Accumulation
Students progressively accumulate credits throughout their academic studies until they reach the number required to obtain their degree.
Credit Transfer
Credits earned at one institution may be recognised by another institution, facilitating:
- international academic mobility
- study periods abroad
- recognition of academic achievements across universities
This mechanism plays a crucial role in promoting international student mobility and academic cooperation between institutions.
Transparency and Academic Quality
The ECTS system contributes significantly to improving the quality and transparency of higher education by ensuring:
- clarity in programme structures
- transparency of learning outcomes
- comparability between academic systems
- international recognition of academic qualifications
For these reasons, ECTS has become one of the fundamental pillars of the European Higher Education Area.
Reference Documentation
For further information about the ECTS framework, students and academic partners may consult the official documentation:
ECTS Users’ Guide – European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
(Available in multiple languages through the official documentation provided by the European Higher Education Area.)
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