



ECTS
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is the credit system for the transfer and accumulation (recognition of study periods) of studies. ECTS is a key component of the Bologna Process and it is used throughout Europa and beyond. They credit system was explicitly set up for the Erasmus programme, especially for the mobility of students.
ECTS promotes the transparency and quality of degree programmes and takes into account all kinds of learning (formal, non-formal and informal). Thus, the recognition of the home institution concerning qualifications achieved abroad is facilitated. The system equally illustrates the obtained competency in the respective curricula (by explaining the learning outcomes on programme and module level). This turns out to be beneficial for the quality assurance of a degree program.
ECTS Credits measure the workload of students, by calculating the time students typically require for a positive learning outcome. It comprises learning activities, such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations. The workload for one academic year ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 hours. In Austria one credit equals the workload of 25 real-time hours. In the Higher Education Area each academic semester corresponds to 30 ECTS credits. Hence, Erasmus students usually have to complete 30 ECTS credits for a semester abroad.
There are certain criteria, also known as ECTS key features, which further the credit transfer and accumulation and which go along with respective key documents. A Course Catalogue abiding by ECTS, the Learning Agreement and the Transcript of Records as well as the Diploma Supplement are a prerequisite for an exchange abroad and for mobility in general.
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