European Credit System(ECTS): How ECTS Credits Work?

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, or ECTS, is a technique used by the European Higher Education Area to improve the transparency of courses and studies. ECTS makes it easy for students to travel between nations and have their academic knowledge and qualifications recognised internationally. ECTS promotes the flexibility of study programmes for students.

For students, ECTS increases the flexibility of study programmes. It also helps with higher education programme planning, delivery, and evaluation. It is a key component of the Bologna Process, which strives to improve worldwide comparability of national education systems. ECTS also makes other documents, such as the Diploma Supplement, simpler to use.

Countries using European Credit System

The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) which is an entrance exam conducted for admission to MBBS or BDS courses in India in various medical/dental colleges (except AIIMS & JIPMER).The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was so far responsible for conducting the NEET exam but from 2020, it will be conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). NTA will conduct this exam only once a year, instead of twice a year.This exam is considered as one of the toughest examinations but with some simple tips & tricks, it would become easy to crack it.Every year around 10-12 lakh students appear for this exam just for 1 lakh seats. From this, one can get an idea about the level of competition in this exam.

Students need to be very well prepared for NEET test, as the level of competition for this exam is very high. There are over 15,000 concepts in NEET syllabus and hence the students should prepare for this exam thoroughly. They just need to follow a well-structured study plan.

How Do ECTS Credits Work?

You can earn ECTS credits by completing a course or seminar. Each ECTS credit point represents how much work you did in that time period.

Here are some examples of ETS credits that have been assigned to each degree type:

• 1 full year of academic studies: 60 credits
• Bachelor’s programme (3 years): 180 credits
• Bachelor's programme (4 years) : 240 credits
• Master’s programme (1-2 years) : 90 or 120 credits

Why is ECTS Needed?

• Different national higher education systems may have different recognition policies, which can cause problems in the recognition of qualifications abroad and mobility periods.
• This issue can be solved by improving the result of the study and the time period of programs of study.
• ECTS allows for the combination of two learning styles: work-based learning and university education within one program, or through lifelong training.

What are ECTS Credits Good for?

ECTS makes it easy for the universities and institutes to keep a track of students’ performances all across European Union countries.

Here’s why ECTS credits are good for students:

• If you pursue your Bachelor and Masters degree in different european countries, ECTS will help to have a sorted grading system for institutes to analyze student’s performance.
• It will become easy for you to find work in any european country due to recognised education or qualifications.
• Your home university can keep up with your credit transfers.
• Easy Academic paperwork.
• It is easy to determine the difficulty of a seminar, study class, internship, thesis, or other program based on the number of credits you earn upon completion.
• It bridges the gap between international and local students in the university.
• You can show your achievements during your programme of study with ECTS credits.
• Another advantage is that your degree will include the same number of credits regardless of what academic discipline or major you choose.

What is the ECTS Grading Scale?

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System scale (ECTS) is a grading system that facilitates academic results transfer (Examination and assessment results usually are expressed in grades).

There are many differences in the assessment systems of different countries. Many universities within the European Higher Education Area have adopted it, which allows for the conversion of grades from one country into another.

Key Documents of ECTS

The Course Catalogue should be published in two languages or in English only for English-language programmes. The Course Catalogue should contain information relevant to host students from overseas.

The Learning Agreement lists the courses that must be taken. It is to be agreed on by both the student and the responsible academic of the institution. Both the student and the institutions need to sign on the learning agreement before the student leaves. It should also be updated once the student arrives at the host institution, in case there are any changes.It also consists of the course opted, grades awarded and credit obtained by the student. It documents the overall performance of the student during the programme of study.

What Role ECTS Credits play when Applying for Masters Programmes?

ECTS credits greatly contribute when applying for Masters programmes or other postgraduate programmes.Although there are no set rules or admissions policy, ECTS credit can help students to apply for Masters degrees in other countries and make their work easy.Masters requirements could include that students have a minimum of ECTS credits in their chosen subject area.This is especially true for students looking to pursue a course thats not directly related to what they have studied in the past. For instance, let’s say you have studied Engineering and now you want to pursue some other course. So, to take admission in the said course you will have to prove that you have sufficient knowledge and ECTS is the way to do it. Thus, ECTS plays a vital role in your academics and admission procedure.

What Role ECTS Credits play when Applying for PhD Programmes?

Although applying for a PhD/Doctorate program can be more challenging than other postgraduate programs, ECTS credits can still have a significant role. Masters and Bachelor credits can provide admissions staff with a better idea of the students knowledge and how extensively they have studied the area.PhD applicants may need to have a minimum number of ECTS credits in a particular subject area.This is particularly important for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD with a broader scope than the ones they studied during their previous course.

Students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Engineering might need to demonstrate competence in practical areas even though their subject is theoretical. ECTS credits are a way to prove students have mastered their subject matter, regardless of where they studied.