What are ECTS credits, and how many hours of work do they entail?
What are ECTS credits?
ECTS is short for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It is a standard way to compare the credits associated with a certain amount of learning and the associated workload in higher education across the European Union.
Workload
ECTS is a credit system based on student workload. The credits are a value given to course units to describe the amount of work needed to complete them successfully. 1 ECTS corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work per semester (including time spent in class, meetings for group work, reading assignments, studying for exams, etc.).
ECTS credits express a relative value. Study hours are estimates because you may spend more time on a course you are not so familiar with and maybe less on another course that is exactly in your area of interest and expertise. That means that one of your 3 ECTS courses may involve more work than a 6 ECTS course.
A bachelor's degree consists of 180 ECTS credits. One year’s study is 60 credits, which is normally equivalent to 1500–1800 hours of total workload.
ECTS grading scale
ECTS also includes a standard grading scale, shown in addition to Flemish standard grades.
EXCELLENT - outstanding performance with only minor errors | A | 17-20 |
VERY GOOD - above the average standard but with some errors | B | 15-16 |
GOOD - generally sound work with a number of notable errors | C | 13-14 |
SATISFACTORY - fair but with significant shortcomings | D | 11-12 |
SUFFICIENT - performance meets the minimum criteria | E | 10 |
FAIL - some more work required before the credit can be awarded | FX | 8-9 |
FAIL - considerable further work is required | F | 0-7 |