ECTS stands for 'European Credit Transfer System'. The credits reflect a numerical value (between 1 and 60) allocated to course units to describe the student workload required to complete them. They include the quantity of work required for each course unit in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to complete a full year of academic study at the institution; that is, lectures, practical work, seminars, tutorials, fieldwork and study time, as well as assessment activities. ECTS is thus based on a full student workload and is not limited to contact hours only.

The basic allocation in ECTS is 60 academic credits for a full year of study, or 30 credits per semester.

How does ECTS work? 

1. Information on study programs through an information package, and on credits earned on the transcript of records
2. Mutual agreement between the home and partner institutions and the student through a learning agreement
3. Use of ECTS credits to indicate student workload according to the common definition of "ECTS"
4. Use of ECTS grades to measure quality of achievement in "common currency" grades

 

The allocation of credit points

ECTS is a credit system based on student workload. Student workload involves lectures, tutorials and self-study. It includes all work needed to prepare for an examination. The credits express a relative value rather than an absolute measure of student workload. 60 ECTS credits represent the full workload for one academic year; 30 ECTS credits are given for a full term, and 20 ECTS credits for a trimester term.  

Credits are awarded only when the course and all examinations have been completed successfully. In other words, students do not get ECTS credits simply for attending classes or spending time abroad. They must fulfill the assessment requirements at the host institution to demonstrate that they have satisfied the learning objectives defined for the course. The examination procedure may consist of written or oral examinations, course work, a combination of the two or presentations at seminars, etc. 

Learning Agreement

This document describes the program of study abroad and its existence facilitates academic recognition. It is an agreement between Linz Campus, the partner institution and the individual student, and contains the study program selected and the number of ECTS credits.

In order to earn credits, each visiting student must be registered in the course(s) included in his/her study program. Changes are normally not allowed. Linz Campus registers all visiting students and maintains a record of each visiting student´s academic status. No restrictions are placed on the visiting student´s choice of study program, provided it does not exceed 30 ECTS credits per term, and provided that course and language requirements are met. The study program must also be authorized by the student's home institution.

Transcript of records

Upon completion of his/her individual study program, the university will issue a transcript of records, listing all courses for which the student has registered, credits earned, and course grades earned. Normally, the transcript will be forwarded to the visiting student´s exchange coordinator at his/her home institution. Students may obtain a copy of the transcript on request.

ECTS students

Most students participating in ECTS will go to a single host institution in one EU Member State, study there for a limited period and then return to their home institution. Students will be required to comply with the legal and institutional requirements of the country and institution where they take their degree.

When the student returns and has successfully completed the study program previously agreed upon between the home and the host institutions, credit transfer will take place. Students then continue their studies at their home institution without any loss of time or credit if all required examinations at the host institution have been successfully completed. Students earn anywhere from 20 to 60 ECTS credits, depending on the time they spend abroad.

Students selected by each institution to participate in ECTS may only be awarded a student mobility grant if they fulfill the general conditions of eligibility for the ERASMUS grant.

Students must be citizens of one of the EU Member States or a citizen of one of the EFTA countries.

Students are not required to pay tuition fees at the host institution. They must, however, pay the student union membership fee (ÖH), which is currently 16 Euros. Students are generally required to continue paying tuition at  their home institution during the period of study abroad.

The national grant/loan to which a student may be entitled for study at his/her institution may not be discontinued, interrupted or reduced while that student is studying in another member country on an ERASMUS grant.

The study period abroad should not be less than three months or more than one year.

Students in their first year of study are not eligible to receive ERASMUS grants.

If there is no co-operation agreement between our institutions, students may still be able to study with us under the Socrates/ Erasmus Free Mover Program. There are certain requirements and deadlines involved; so again, you would need to contact your international co-ordinator.

Students participating in ECTS receive full credit for all academic work successfully carried out at any of the ECTS partner institutions, and they will be able to transfer these academic credits from one participating institution to another, as long as there is prior agreement between the institutions involved. Upon completion of their individual study program, the university will issue a transcript of records listing all courses for which the student was registered, credits earned, and grades. Normally, the transcript will be forwarded to the visiting student´s exchange coordinator at his/her home institution. A copy of the transcript may, if requested, be issued to the student. ECTS is an instrument which enables transparency, facilitates communication between institutions, and expands the choices available to students. ECTS makes it easier for institutions to recognise the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly understood measurements - credits and grades - and it is also a way of interpreting other national systems of higher education.