What are ECTS Credits and Why are They Important?
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You may have to use ECTS for credit and grade calculation if applying to EHEA institutions. This is a standardised tool which will give a clear picture of your previous academic performance to European universities and members of EHEA. Understand what it means and where do you need it here!
ECTS is a credit calculation tool. If you have studied anywhere in the world and thinking of continuing your studies further in Europe or any EHEA institutions, you will still need this ECTS grade to apply. This tool will standardise your scores, compare your workload and calculate your grades. Even if you left your course in between or have a gap, this tool will still calculate your grade. Which is a plus point! Your gap won't be shown.
Grade given by ECTS is a widely accepted because of its transparent nature. It calculates credit based on any type of subjects you studied during you previous days of study abroad. ECTS grade would also be required if you are looking for jobs in EU. If you are still confused on ECTS, you have landed on the right place. Here in this article we will try to cater all your queries related to it. In case some of them are missed, feel free to comment below and one of our Study Abroad consultant will reach you out to help you further.
- What is ECTS?
- What are the benefits of ECTS for Students?
- Which European countries accept ECTS?
- What is ECTS Grading Scale?
What is ECTS?
ECTS is a tool to measure courses and subjects studied anywhere. European countries following the Bologna Process require ECTS grading for transparent and comparable analysis.
- Full form of ECTS is European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
- Measures overall workload of student
- Allows students to study abroad
- Recognizes subjects and courses studied abroad
- A complete academic year equals 60 ECTS
Why is ECTS Important?
ECTS credit calculator for grading is important for studying and working at EHEA institutions. Apart from this:
- If you want to study abroad in Europe
- Or if transferring within European institutions
- To recognize period of study in different countries
- Because it standardizes workload by offering an objective comparison
What are the benefits of ECTS for Students?
ECTS Credits system benefits students for easing their credit transfer for EHEA countries for studying. Also for:
- Wanting to simplify academic paperwork.
- Despite dropping out hours completed are still counted.
- Credits remain unchanged despite choice of course.
- Looking for jobs in European countries.
Which European countries accept ECTS?
48 European countries following Bologna Process and 27 non-EU members but part of EHEA (European Higher Education Area) accept ECTS.
| Categories |
ECTS Accepting Countries |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) Members |
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden |
| Other EHEA Participants |
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City State |
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What is ECTS Grading Scale?
Besides the ECTS Credits, there is ECTS Grading System. It makes grades more comparable because of different grading systems.
- ECTS grading scale is based on class percentile.
- It shows the result of a student in comparison to other students in the same class.
- Results are either pass or fail.
- If you get minimum passing scores and complete the credits to pass you, get a degree.
How does ECTS Grading Scale work?
ECTS converts your academic workload to credits and then converted to grades. ECTS grading uses grades from A - F. Let us understand each grade and what they mean based on performance:
| ECTS Grades |
Awarded to |
Performance Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| A |
Awarded to top 10% |
Outstanding |
| B |
Awarded to next 25% |
Good |
| C |
Awarded to next 30%. |
Above Average |
| D |
Given to next 25%. |
Average |
| E |
Marked for the next 10%. |
Needs Improvement |
| FX |
Stands for fail (almost passing). |
Almost Pass |
| F |
Stands for fail. |
Fail |
The ECTS system is more transparent than other national and international grading systems. Will help you compare academic performance with other students in Europe.
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