ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. One ECTS credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work. One academic year is 60 credits, the six-year medical degree 360 credits. The system makes academic work comparable and transferable across Europe.
English acronym, introduced in 1989 as part of the Erasmus programme
credit points, CP
ECTS credits
ECTS credits measure the total workload – lectures, practicals, private study and exam preparation – and not just attendance.
When you move between universities they are the key currency: the Transcript of Records shows the credits you have earned, and the receiving faculty grants credit on that basis. How many semesters are recognised is covered in the guide Transferring back to Germany: credit for semesters.
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