to promote training offer
in optics and photonics
click here to learn more
IST European Project
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The European Network to promote training offer in optics and photonics click here to learn more |
IST European Project |
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A credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme by attaching credits to its components. The definition of credits in higher education systems may be based on different parameters, such as student workload, learning outcomes and contact hours. What is the ECTS? The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of learning outcomes and competences to be acquired. How did ECTS develop? ECTS was introduced in 1989, within the framework of Erasmus, now part of the Socrates programme. ECTS is the only credit system which has been successfully tested and used across Europe. ECTS was set up initially for credit transfer. The system facilitated the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhanced the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe. Recently ECTS is developing into an accumulation system to be implemented at institutional, regional, national and European level. This is one of the key objectives of the Bologna Declaration of June 1999. How does ECTS work? ECTS is based on the convention that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study programme in Europe amounts in most cases to 36/40 weeks per year and in those cases one credit stands for 25 to 30 working hours. Workload refers to the notional time an average learner might expect to complete the required learning outcomes. Read more: http://www.crui.it/ECTS/english/doc%20En/Key%20features%20_en_.pdf What is an ECTS Users' Guide? The European Community promotes interuniversity cooperation as a means of improving the quality of education for the benefit of students and higher education institutions, and student mobility is a predominant element of that interuniversity cooperation ECTS provides an instrument to create transparency, to build bridges between institutions and to widen the choices available to students. The system makes it easier for institutions to recognise the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly understood measurements - credits and grades - and it also provides a means to interpret national systems of higher education. ECTS is based on three core elements: information (on study programmes and student achievement), mutual agreement (between the partner institutions and the student) and the use of ECTS credits (to indicate student workload). To get the users’ guide: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/usersg_en.html What is the legislation?
What is an ECTS Label? An ECTS label will be awarded to institutions which apply ECTS the proper way in all first and second cycle degree programmes. The label will raise the profile of the institution as a transparent and reliable partner in European and international cooperation. The criteria for the label will be: a Course Catalogue (online or hard copy) in two languages (or only in English for programmes taught in English), use of ECTS credits, samples of learning Agreements, Transcripts of Records and proofs of academic recognition. An application form will be published on the web site of the Socrates, Leonardo & Youth TAO in June 2003 (www.socleoyouth.be) The application deadline will be Nov 1st, 2003 (and annually thereafter). The label will be valid for three academic years, starting 2004/2005. The list of institutions in possession of the label will be published on the Europa web site. Read more : http://www.crui.it/ECTS/english/doc%20En/Label%20criteria%20_en_.pdf What does ECTS offer to the student? ECTS guarantees academic recognition of studies abroad. ECTS enables access to regular courses alongside local students, with the benefit of full participation in the academic life of the host institution. This characteristic of ECTS distinguishes it from many other student mobility programmes. ECTS enables further studies abroad. A student may prefer not to go back to the home institution after the study period abroad, but rather to stay at the host institution -- possibly to gain a degree -- or to move to a third institution. The institutions themselves decide whether or not this is acceptable and what conditions the student must fulfil in order to get a diploma or transfer registration. What does ECTS offer to the training centres? ECTS creates curriculum transparency by providing detailed information on the curricula and their relevance towards a degree. ECTS helps academics to make academic recognition decisions thanks to prior agreement on the content of study programmes abroad between students and their home and host institutions. The use of ECTS can also be a catalyst for reflection on course curriculum structures, student workload and learning outcomes. With ECTS, higher education institutions preserve their autonomy and responsibility for all decisions concerning students' achievements, without amending existing course structures and assessment methods: all courses and assessments are those which are normally taken by regular students at the host institution. How is ECTS used by students and training centres? Planning the programme of study abroad Students who wish to study abroad contact their home departmental coordinator and study the information packages of other institutions to choose their destination and plan their programme of study abroad. This helps the student to select courses which are appropriate in their content and academic level, for recognition by the home institution as part of the student's final degree. Using the ECTS credits helps students to organise a study programme which is realistic in terms of overall workload. The ECTS credit rating demonstrates the relative weight of each course in the proposed programme of study. Ensuring full academic recognition An ECTS study programme must be approved by both the home and the host institutions before the student leaves for the study period abroad. If the programme of study described in the learning agreement is completed satisfactorily by the student, it is fully recognised by the home institution. This means that the volume of study abroad, measured in terms of numbers of ECTS credits achieved, will replace an equivalent volume of study and assessment which would otherwise have been undertaken at the home institution. How are ECTS credits transferred? Institutions prepare and exchange transcripts of records for each student participating in ECTS. A copy of the transcript is given to the student and exchanged between the home and the host institutions before and after the period of study abroad. Further studies abroad As indicated, an ECTS student might wish to stay at the host institution - perhaps to get a degree or move to a third institution. This is possible provided that the institutions involved agree and that the student accepts the conditions to be fulfilled to get a diploma or to transfer registration. By providing a history of the students' academic achievements, the transcript of records is a particularly useful means of helping institutions to make these decisions further opening up Europe to student mobility. Higher education institutions are encouraged to introduce ECTS within the framework of their institutional contract with the Commission. Counsellor list: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ectscons.pdf More information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ects_en.html http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/usersg_en.html Reports about ECTS:
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