ECTS is the European Union’s Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, which was introduced to set up common procedures that guarantee academic recognition of studies undertaken abroad. To this end, it provides a study assessment and comparison system, as well as a transfer system from one institution to another.

ECTS credits are a value allocated to course units to describe the student workload required to complete them. They reflect the quantity of work each course requires in relation to the total quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the institution; that is, lectures, practical work, seminars, private work –in the library or at home– and examinations or other assessment activities. These credits express a relative value. In ECTS, 60 credits represent the workload of a year of study; normally 30 credits are given for a semester and 20 credits for a term. Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and all required examinations have been successfully taken.

The ECTS grading scale is set as follows:

A –  EXCELLENT

B –  VERY GOOD

C –  GOOD

D –  SATISFACTORY

E –   SUFFICIENT

FX – FAIL

F –   FAIL