ects credits phd

What is the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)?

What is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)?

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is a points system used by universities and agreed by governments, that makes international education more easily comparable across borders.

The European Credit Transfer System - or, more precisely, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System - makes studying across the European Higher Education Area much more comparable. A system of credits means one course or module is worth the same at any university.

The system helps students study and live in different European nations during their studies. It also makes studying abroad much easier, as it means universities can compare the classes and courses they offer, so you get credit for your semester or year abroad.

Credits for lectures from different institutions can be accumulated (or added up) towards one degree or qualification, allowing for much more flexibility.

The ECTS system has been adopted by countries across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). There are 48 nations signed up to the EHEA, from Portugal in the West to Russia and Kazakhstan in the East.

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What are ECTS points?

ECTS points, or ECTS credits, indicate the required workload to complete a study programme, or a module within a study programme. ECTS points only indicate workload; they do not indicate a grade.

Generally, each year of full-time study (or work, where applicable) is worth 60 ECTS credits. Usually this is divided by modules. So, for example, you might have 4 modules in a year with a similar workload, each of them worth 15 ECTS credits and thus adding up to 60 ECTS for the whole year.

ECTS points of modules are summed up to indicate the total workload for a study programme:

• Bachelor’s or undergraduate degrees typically range from 180 ECTS (3 years full-time) to 240 ECTS (4 years full-time).
• Master’s degrees typically range from 60 ECTS (1 year full-time) to 120 ECTS (2 years full-time).
• It’s not as easy to say exactly how many credits a PhD programme will be made up of, due to their flexible-length work load.

How do ECTS credits convert to study hours?

A year of full-time studies at university level is generally worth 60 ECTS credits, and defined as equal to 1,500 - 1,800 hours of study work. This means 1 ECTS is equal to between 25 to 30 hours (with the UK being one exception). The exact number of hours is different from country to country. A few examples:

• United Kingdom : 60 ECTS = 1,200 study hours → 1 ECTS = 20 study hours
• Austria , Ireland , Italy , Malta : 60 ECTS = 1,500 study hours → 1 ECTS = 25 study hours
• Finland , Lithuania , Sweden : 60 ECTS = 1,600 study hours → 1 ECTS = 27 study hours
• Netherlands , Portugal : 60 ECTS = 1,680 study hours → 1 ECTS = 28 study hours
• Germany : 60 ECTS = 1,800 study hours → 1 ECTS = 30 study hours

Of course, these values are just a guide. They do not only include “contact hours” (i.e. hours you spend in classrooms), but also the time you prepare, do homework and so on - so your individual study times could be different.

If you study part-time, the number of ECTS per semester or year will also be lower, reflecting the reduced workload.

If you are only signing up for 20 ECTS worth of lectures in a given semester, you will probably have lots of free time, while more than 30 ECTS will mean you might not see much of your friends.

How do ECTS credits work?

ECTS credit points indicate the workload associated with a study module, or number of modules. The great thing about ECTS credits is their versatility: They are used by and accepted by effectively all European universities - and also by many other institutions around the world.

There are three main uses of ECTS:

• Transferring between universities
• Studying abroad (e.g. an exchange semester at a different university)
• Applying for further study (like a Master’s or PhD)

There are various reasons why you’d want to change universities. Perhaps your first university is not quite what you were looking for, or perhaps you want to switch to a subject not offered at your institution. The ECTS framework make this easy, because the credit points show institutions exactly how far someone has got in their studies. This way, you won’t have to start over completely.

This means students can more easily transfer between European universities. But it’s not limited to Europe - some other institutions do accept ECTS credits, because they are uniformed and easy to transfer. For example, 10 ECTS credits are usually equal to 5 US college credits. This way, students coming to Europe just for e.g. a summer school course can still use the credits at home.

This also means that if you plan to pursue further studies, you are not restricted to universities in the same country as the institution where you completed your Bachelor’s degree.

ECTS credits will help give admissions departments for Master’s or PhDs a good picture of what you have done previously, and if you are at the right level to do well in further studies. Moreover, admissions requirements are often explicitly stated with minimum ECTS credits , for example: “To apply to this Psychology programme, students need at least 20 ECTS credits in Statistics or Mathematics.”

And the same is true for students returning from a semester or year studying abroad. Your home university can easily confirm and accept the credit points of modules you completed during your exchange semester.

Are ECTS credits important to apply for Masters programmes?

ECTS credits can be important when applying for Master’s or other postgraduate programmes.

There’s no hard and fast rule with admissions, but ECTS credits can certainly make everyone’s life a bit easier - especially if students apply for Master’s courses in different countries to where they completed their undergraduate degree.

Master’s admission requirements may include that students have a certain amount of ECTS credits in the subject area they want to apply for.

This is especially important when students are looking to study a course that isn’t directly what they focused on in their earlier studies. For example, if you want to study a Master’s in Engineering you may have to prove competency in Mathematics. Even if you did not study Engineering previously, the ECTS credits you gained in Mathematics-related modules during your Bachelor’s can help prove that your knowledge is sufficient for the Master’s programme you are applying to.

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Are ECTS credits important to apply for PhD programmes?

Applying for a PhD or Doctorate programme can be a little different from other postgraduate courses, but ECTS credits can still play an important role as Master’s and Bachelor's credits can give admissions staff a good idea of what students know, and how much they’ve studied the specific area they wish to delve further into.

Therefore, PhD application requirements may include that students have a certain amount of ECTS credit points in a certain subject area.

This is especially important when students are looking to study a PhD that’s a bit wider in scope than what they focused on during their earlier studies.

For example, students who want to work for a PhD in Engineering may have to prove competency in practical areas, even if their topic is theoretical. ECTS credits can help prove that students’ knowledge is up to scratch, wherever they studied previously.

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How does the ECTS grading table work?

The grading scheme is another important part of ECTS. As well as credits, which are awarded based on completed modules and courses, the system allows for grade conversion between universities, based on the students’ relative performance in their class.

Up until 2009, the framework included the ECTS grading scale that went from A to F, where A to E were passing grades. The table below shows which grade was awarded based on the performance percentile compared to the whole class:

The ECTS grading scale was relative; this meant that the same performance could theoretically result in different ECTS grades in different years or classes. Because most grading systems at universities in Europe follow a fixed scale, grades had to be converted at the end of a class or study programme. However, ECTS grades were never widely adopted and had some practical issues, which is why a new system was designed:

The ECTS grading table

In 2009, the new ECTS grading table was introduced to replace the previous ECTS grading scale. This new approach still relies on relative performance measures, but allows for more flexibility and a better comparison of grades between institutions.

Here’s how it works: Universities track what percentage of students receive each passing grade. Ideally, this is done at the subject level (based on the ISCED-F field definition). So for example, a university would track: 9% of all History students receive the best grade, another 8% the second-best grade, and so on.

When you do an exchange semester, this information is shared between home and guest university. Then the guest university is able to give you their local grade, and also automatically convert it to the grade you would have received at home. Unfortunately, grading scales rarely match exactly: There may be multiple grade steps that are each considered equivalent, so there is some margin. The guest university decides if they award the best, average, or worst grade that is considered equivalent in the ECTS grading table.

This sounds complicated? Imagine the following example:

• You study History at an Austrian university , and go on an exchange to a French university . At your home university, there are only four passing grades: from 1 to 4 (1 being the best). At your guest university, passing grades range from 10 to 15 (15 being the best).
• Both universities can share the grade distribution with each other. For example, assume that at the home institution, 35% of students usually receive the best grade (“1 / Excellent”), whereas at the French university, ca. 29% receive a grade of 13 or better.
• Now, assume that at the French university, you receive the grade “12 points”. Generally, 46% of students receive this grade, or a better grade.
• Your French institution already knows the grade distribution at the Austrian institution. So they can directly convert your grade to what you would have received at your home university, and include this in your transcript of records.
• For this, they will look up the closest corresponding grade: 46% of students at the Austrian university must have reached that grade or a better one.
• The guest university has to decide if they match the home university’s grade at the lowest , average , or highest level of their own grade. In this example, the French “12” could correspond to the Austrian “2 / Good” (at the lower end or the average) or the Austrian “1 / Excellent” (at the higher end).

The following diagramme illustrates the conversion:

How does ECTS help convert grades between fixed grading scales?

Most countries and universities use fixed grading scales. “Fixed” means: The same performance should always result in the same grade. The issue is that these scales are often very specific and do not directly match between two countries or two institutions. With the ECTS grading table as a conversion tool, universities can assess a student’s performance relative to the class, and convert it to the equivalent grade in another institution’s grading scale. This is also relevant when you need to provide a transcript of records to another university.

How to convert UK credits to ECTS credits?

Although the United Kingdom is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), universities tend to use UK credits. In theory, credits are defined separately for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland under the CATS scheme, and for Scotland with the SCQF framework, but they represent the same value.

Luckily, conversion between UK credit points and ECTS credit points is simple: 2 UK credits are equivalent to 1 ECTS credit .

How to convert U.S. credits to ECTS credits?

If you have an undergraduate degree from the United States and plan to do a Masters in Europe, you may need to convert your U.S. credits to ECTS credits.

The typical “full course load” at an American university implies 15 U.S. credits per semester, which is equal to 30 ECTS credits at a European university. So the factor between American and European credits is usually 2, i.e. 1 U.S. credit point equals 2 ECTS credit points.

Which countries accept ECTS credit points?

The ECTS credit system is used by universities in all 48 member countries of the European Higher Education Area, or EHEA .

The aim of the EHEA is to implement the Bologna Process and to join, states must ratify the European Cultural Convention treaty.

Some other universities outside the EHEA may accept ECTS credits on applications, but they usually will have to translate those credits and grades into their own structure - and will not automatically provide ECTS grades for graduates.

Author: Patrick Atack

Patrick is an expert on international education. He studied American Studies and Journalism in the UK and the USA. His work has been published in, among others, the London Evening Standard, Euronews, and the PIE News.

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Ects credits for phd activities other than regular courses.

In addition to ECTS course credits for ordinary PhD course participation, the Head of programme can grant ECTS (1 ECTS per 25-30 hours of student activity) for documented activities at PhD level related to individually planned study activities or projects that are not part of the PhD project, participation in schools, workshops and conferences, etc. As inspiration, you can find different activities listed here below.

Note that the activity options may vary between programmes. Contact your Head of programme to learn more.

The following applies to all the activities:

To be eligible for ECTS, a description of the activity (including specified learning objectives and ECTS credits) must be approved (preferably in advance) by the main supervisor and the Head of programme. Amount of ECTS and evaluation of the activity is agreed with the Head of Programme.

The activity must be documented, and a description as well as documentation must be uploaded in MyPhD .

A maximum of 10 ECTS can be earned from activities that cannot be characterised as participation in PhD courses or school workshops (e.g. the onboarding programme).

Journal clubs/study groups/specialised reading courses

It is an option to be granted ECTS for engaging in a journal club, study group, or a specialised reading course. Note that a journal club should preferably be open to everyone interested in participating.

Summer schools or autumn schools

ECTS can be granted for participation in summer schools or autumn schools in Denmark as well as abroad.

Conferences or workshops

ECTS can be granted for preparing for and participating in a conference or workshop.

The peer review publication process

A key outcome in scientific research is to succeed in disseminating findings to researchers in the field, while ensuring the widest possible audience are aware of the significance of the data and at the same time using the most trusted vehicle (e.g. journal) possible. The aim of this activity is to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the choices available in identifying target journal, in understanding ‘instructions to authors’, in understanding the phases of the review process, in writing the perfect sales pitch to the editor, and in how to respond to reviewer comments in a constructive non-confrontational manner.

Training in a specific experimental technique or theoretical approach

ECTS can be granted for time spent being trained in a specific experimental technique or theoretical approach carried out outside of a course and relevant for the PhD work.

Participation in lecture series

Executing a lecture, listening to those of others and discussing hypothesis, data, and assumptions are fundamental academic activities. Participating in a lecture series trains exactly this in the safe environment of the department. ECTS can be granted for this.

Have you planned or completed an activity?

Then please state it in your PhD plan to keep your project documented and ensure that it stays on track.

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• How to allocate credits

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

ECTS | Students workload | Learning outcomes  

A credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational program by assigning credits to its components.

ECTS is a credit system introduced in 1989 within the framework of the Erasmus program. The aim was to facilitate the recognition of study periods undertaken abroad by mobile students through the transfer of credits.

Later on, ECTS became a basic condition of the educational reform introduced on a European level by the Bologna Declaration (19 th of June 1999). ECTS developed in a transfer and accumulation system, so that a higher education study now corresponds to the achievement of a defined number of ECTS (180 credits for the first cycle, the Bachelor's degree program; 90-120 credits for the second cycle, the master's degree program). The aim of this renewal process was to harmonize the different European higher educational programs making them easy to read and compare, and facilitating student mobility between different institutions.

ECTS is a credit system based on two parameters: student workload and learning outcomes .

Students workload

Student workload consists of the time required to complete all learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, examinations and so forth. Credits reflect the quantity of work. What is taken into account is not the number of course hours per week (attendance time), but the overall time required to learn the subject matter (including the assessment of learning outcomes).

• There is no direct link between contact hours and credits (i.e. a lecture hour may require three hours of independent study by the student).
• ECTS say nothing about the status of a course or the prestige of a teacher.

Why base credits on time?

Basing a program on a reasonable and realistic estimate of the time required by an average learner protects all students from unrealistic and overloaded programs or from excessively light and undemanding ones. It helps academic staff to design and deliver realistic curricula.

The number of credits for a learning outcome is measured on the basis of the workload required. The student workload of a full-time study program in Europe amounts in most cases to around 1500-1800 hours per year. 60 credits define the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. From here comes the basic principle that:

1 ECTS stands for around 25 to 30 working hours .

Remark: This reasoning reflects the principle that ECTS was originally set for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, which are clearly structured educational programs based on regular frequentation of courses, on learning and assessments. A doctorate is a course of study where acquisition of knowledge and practical skills are structured in a different way. For this reason the attribution of ECTS to an activity based on the principle "1 ECTS = workload of 25-30 hours" is not always easy and gives room to personal interpretation (see how to allocate credits to the activities).

Learning outcomes

Study programs are divided into sections, which should correspond to specified learning outcomes : knowledge, skills, understanding...

What is the point of describing study programs in terms of learning outcomes rather than in terms of content, as in the traditional way?

Learning outcomes place the emphasis on the results of the learning process for the learner in terms of knowledge, understanding and abilities, rather than on the means the teaching staff employs to obtain those results. The use of learning outcomes represents a shift in thinking from a staff-based output-oriented system to a student-centred output-oriented approach.

Credits can be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved. Assessments are made on the basis of written or oral exams, or in the basis of a dissertation or written work or even an attendance certificate. The activities of a postgraduate program usually are not followed by a written and/or oral exam, and seldom by an evaluation. Therefore, it is essential that students provide attendance certificate for each event in order to be eligible of receiving credits.

For more information and reference documents on ECTS please see the following web sites:

http://ec.europa.eu./education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.html

Bologna process

Related links:

Differences between MAS, DAS, CAS and short programmes

Academic partnerships

What is an ECTS credit?

Intended to facilitate the recognition of study programmes throughout Europe, ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits represent a unit of measure linked to the duration and study time required to complete a programme.

An ECTS credit represents between 25 and 30 hours of work for the participant. Included in these hours of work are:

• course participation
• preparation for courses
• lindividual and group work
• preparation for examinations
• writing of the dissertation

Find out more about about the application of the ECTS credit system in university continuing education.

Do our programmes result in the obtaining of ECTS credits?

All our certified programmes (MAS, DAS, CAS and COS) confer ECTS credits. The number of credits varies from one programme to another (according to the duration and number of study hours required for the completion of each programme).

Our non-certified programmes – i.e. the short programmes (FCOs) –do not generally speaking confer ECTS credits. However, ECTS credits may be awarded in certain cases, provided that a written or oral examination is organised within the framework of the programme.

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• Internationalisation
• European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

ECTS: European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was developed by the European Commission in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad.

ECTS is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired.

ECTS @ Ghent University

Internationalisation has always been a key feature of Ghent University. Hence, the implementation of ECTS on various levels (course catalogue, procedure for exchange students, availability of all relevant information in English, ...) is a continuing responsibility of the involved administrative departments within Ghent University.

What is ECTS?

ECTS is based on three core elements :

• information (on study programmes and students achievement)
• mutual agreement (between the partner institutions and the student)
• the use of ECTS credits (to indicate student workload, not only for exchange students but also for the Ghent University students)

ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes . Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks. Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.

60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a fulltime year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. In most cases, student workload ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 hours for an academic year. One credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work .

Full academic recognition is a conditio sine qua non for student mobility in the framework of the Erasmus programme. Full academic recognition means that the study period abroad (including examinations or other forms of assessment) replaces a comparable period of study at the home institution (including examinations or other forms of assessment), though the content of the agreed study programme may differ.

• the Learning Agreement covers the programme of study to be taken and the ECTS credits to be awarded for their satisfactory completion, committing both home and host institution, as well as the student
• the Transcript of Records shows students' learning achievements in a way which is comprehensive, commonly understood and easily transferable from one institution to another
• the Proof of Recognition shows students that the study abroad period has been recognised in the home institution

More information

For more information, contact the institutional ECTS co-ordinator:

Frederik De Decker International Relations Office Head of Office Korte Meer 9 9000 Gent, Belgium +32 9 264 70 11 [email protected]

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If you are looking to undertake further study such as an MSc or PhD in Europe you will need to know how your degree is compared with equivalent qualifications at European institutions. The European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) was the result of the Bologna Agreement and is intended to produce compatibility and comparability between degree awards.

The agreement defines three cycles which are interpreted as Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Research degree (PhD). By completing degree programmes, students are awarded ECTS points. These points are awarded for satisfactorily completing modules of the course.

At present at least, Bologna compliance is separate from accreditation as a professional qualification (in our case accreditation by The IET for Chartered Engineer status). Bologna compliance will be of concern when applying to a European university for a higher degree. It may be that the university requires a Bologna compliant Bachelor’s degree for admission to a Master’s programme or a Bologna compliant Master’s for admission to a PhD programme.

Each 9-month academic year of a degree should yield 60 ECTS. This is based on the proposition that an academic year will require 1,500-1,800 hours of student effort. Universities then award 1 ECTS for each 25-30 hours of student effort. Student effort is classroom time, lab time, project work, private study and revision.

ECTS explained

Ects credits for your degrees.

All students should refer to the  programme specifications for the ECTS breakdown. 

What about extra ECTS Credits?

Students are able to register work experience or UROP projects in summer vacations and have these assessed for award of further ECTS. A typical summer internship of 10 weeks would be credited with 15 ECTS and will be added to the student transcript. Extra-curricular study can, in some circumstances, also earn further ECTS.

Extra-curricular activities eligible for ECTS accrual 

This is the list of extracurricular activities which the College has approved for annotation (if successful) on the degree transcript. 

In order for an activity to be assessed as worthy of ECTS credits, it must have clearly defined objectives and criteria for assessment — and the student must satisfy them.

• College extracurricular courses.  These must be complete, assessed College courses (e.g. those run by Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication ), and undertaken outside College hours, e.g. in evenings.  Courses undertaken as part of your degree are already ECTS accredited and do not count under this scheme.  ECTS: 6 per course .
• Industrial internships .   These must be directly related to engineering or its industrial or business context and be sufficiently demanding in nature to exercise a range of interpersonal and intellectual skills. Between 6 and 12 full-time (37h) weeks, or their equivalent part-time, in duration; and external to the College.  ECTS: 1.5 per full working week .
• UROP or other research placements.  These must be sufficiently demanding in nature to exercise a range of analytical and intellectual skills; between 6 and 12 full-time weeks in duration; and undertaken during vacations at the end of the second and third years of study. ECTS: 1.5 per full working week, 15 maximum on a single project.

How do I register an extracurricular for ECTS?

Before you undertake the activity, check that it is eligible for ECTS credit (see above)

For UROP or industrial placements, you'll need to do some research.  There are resources to help you identify employers and prepare you for interview and assessment. 

Go to ECTS Extracurricular Activity Credits (sharepoint.com) to register your activity. 

Applications received by email will not be accepted . 

Once your application has been approved you are ready to begin the activity, bearing in mind that you will need to report on it afterwards for assessment.  NB: You cannot apply for ECTS credit after you have commenced the activity.  Approval must be given before you start.

How will my activity be assessed?

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

For modules taught within the College and taken by students under the Professional Development scheme as an extracurricular activities, learning outcomes are defined in conventional academic terms and are assessed by conventional methods e.g. exams and coursework.

For research, UROP and industrial internship activities assessment is in two parts:

• You should prepare a journal or report (max 5 pages)  describing your activity and reflecting on how it has helped your professional and personal development. Your placement supervisor will sign this form to approve the report and that they are happy with your placement.  You will also discuss your report with your personal tutor or course advisor.  Your report will be assessed by your tutor/course advisor who will recommend (or not) the award of ECTS credit.  The Undergraduate Office will report the extra credit to Registry for annotation to your academic record. 

training objectives for ECTS

ECTS Objectives

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PhD Courses

PhD students must complete courses totaling 30 ECTS during the PhD programme.  1 ECTS point equals 27 hours work load.

The courses are approved individually for each student in the research and study plan.

For students admitted to the PhD School the following course structure and rules for study progression apply: 

The Faculty of Engineering has determined that PhD students enrolled in both the 4+4 programme and the 5+3 programme will be obliged to pass the 30 ECTS credits, one year before enrolment ends. For students enrolled under the 4+4 programme, courses worth at least 10 ECTS credits must have been passed after one year and at the latest by the time of the master's exam. For students enrolled in the 5+3 programme, courses worth at least 15 ECTS credits must have been passed after one year.

Courses are normally rated pursuant to the number of ECTS credits set by the institution offering the course, but approval and determination of some ECTS credits for courses will be decided by the PhD Committee. Summer schools and conference participation can also count as course activities.

The PhD Committee has adopted the following rates for week-long courses: 

1-week duration: 5 ECTS credits 2-week duration: 7.5 ECTS credits 3-week duration: 10.5 ECTS credits 4-week duration: 13.5 ECTS credits 5-week duration: 15 ECTS credits

Application for credit transfer regarding credit for individual study activities may not exceed 15 ECTS credits. A description of the activity as regards content, examination form, bibliography and assessment and a specification of the subject it will replace must be enclosed with the application.

Rules applying to all courses taken during the PhD programme at the PhD School under the Faculty of Engineering:

• The PhD administration office must be notified once an ECTS yielding activity has been passed. Documentation for all passed activities in the form of an examination transcript, official statement, principal supervisor's statement or diploma must be sent to the PhD administration.
• As a general rule, all courses taken during the PhD programme must be offered and approved as PhD courses.
• The PhD committee processes applications for course activities not listed and approved in the research and study plan.
• Applications for credit transfer and exemptions are processed by the PhD Committee.
• The courses are rated in units of 0.25 ECTS credits.    
• A maximum of 15 ECTS credits for one course may be granted.
• Up to 10 ECTS credits can be approved for auxiliary courses as research courses. An auxiliary course is defined as a master's level course outside the student’s academic field. If a PhD student wishes to take part in courses that are not at PhD level, exemption must be applied for in order to participate in the course. Applications for exemption are to be submitted to the PhD administration office using the form designed for this purpose and must cite the reasons the course is required for the student’s PhD studies.
• A literature report may be approved for a maximum of 6 ECTS credits once during the PhD studies. The report may not be included as part of the PhD thesis. The report is assessed using an internal examiner, but not by a supervisor alone. The ECTS given for the report must be relative to the scope of and curriculum of the report. 
• The collective extent of writing courses in the PhD study must be at least 2 ECTS and at the most 5 ECTS. The written part of the courses must be in English and the courses must be at PhD level. The courses must focus on one or more of the following subjects: - Perfecting the linguistic skills in the producing of academic texts in English (Focus on language and terminology) - Working on the production of texts and learning the process of writing (Focus on the writing process and text production) - Reviewing and revising texts for academic journals and publishing in general. (Focus on writing and reviewing for publications)

Specific rules for participating in seminars : Lectures by established scholars: the students write 1 A4 page summary, which is to be approved by the principal supervisor. Plenary sessions in connection with conference participation: the lecture must have some general character, otherwise it will be a part of the study activity "conference participation." The students write 1 A4 page summary, which is to be approved by the principal supervisor. Lecture by other PhD students: In this case, the PhD students write an informed written critique (to get acquainted with scientific referee work). The principal supervisor must approve the critique.

Specific rules for courses, including summer schools and conferences:

• The activity may only be included in a student’s PhD studies if an application for this has been approved by the PhD Committee or if the activity is approved in the Research and Study Plan.
• If the number of ECTS credits for the activity have been rated by the institution offering the activity, the PhD Committee may choose to rate it at the same number of ECTS credits, but may also approve it at a different number of ECTS credits (for instance, the number may be reduced pursuant to other rules, if it is an auxiliary course and the maximum number of ECTS credits for auxiliary courses would otherwise be exceeded).
• In order to be part of the PhD study the activity must include active participation by the student or an evaluation (either by the course providers or the supervisor and a subsequent internal examiner).
• For summer schools with at least 40 hours of scheduled courses per week that have not been rated in terms of ECTS credits by the provider, 5 ECTS credits are usually granted for the first week and 2.5 ECTS credits for a subsequent week. The maximum number of ECTS credits is 7.5.

For conference participation, a maximum of 3 ECTS credits are granted per conference. The conference must last at least three days. Conference participation may only be included as a course activity twice during the course of study (2x3 = 6). There are two ways that conference participation can be counted as a course activity:

• Active participation with paper presentation at conference documented by the submission of a copy of the conference program and a written statement from the principal supervisor.
• Participation without presentation, but with subsequent lecture to the student's institute/research team in which the most important conference presentations are reviewed. The lecture must be observed by the principal supervisor and an internal examiner, both of whom must formally approve the course in writing.

It is possible to obtain 2x3 ECTS for the same conference attendance, - 3 ECTS for documented presentation at the conference and 3 ECTS for documented presentation at SDU of the broad contents of the conference.

Other rules

Participation fee for courses held by the University of Southern Denmark and courses at an outside institution shall be paid by the student´s budget.

Credits for courses taken before enrolment as a PhD student may be applied for if these courses are deemed to be at PhD level and it can be documented that they are not part of another completed study program.

It is not possible to approve courses beyond the PhD study’s fixed scope. Courses for which credits are being applied for must have been "passed", "approved" or have been marked at a level of at least "02" or equivalent.

It is not possible to apply for ECTS credits for activities already honoured with knowledge dissemination hours.

The PhD student registers for the relevant PhD courses at the course provider.

The PhD School at The Faculty of Engineering University of Southern Denmark

• Campusvej 55
• Odense M - DK-5230
• Phone: +45 6550 7433
• Send E-mail

Last Updated 17.01.2024

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Graduate School of Technical Sciences

Ects credits for phd activities other than regular courses.

In addition to ECTS course credits for ordinary PhD course participation, the programme chair can grant ECTS course credits (1 ECTS credit per 25-30 hours of student activity) for documented activities at PhD level related to courses and/or extended visits at private enterprises and/or other research institutions, individually planned study activities or projects that are not part of the PhD project, participation in schools, workshops and conferences, etc.  

To be eligible for ECTS course credits, a description of the activity (including specified learning objectives and ECTS credits) must be approved (preferably in advance) by the main supervisor and the programme chair. The activity must be documented, and a description as well as documentation must be uploaded in MyPhD . Documentation can for example be proof of active participation from the organiser of schools, or supervisor approval of group seminars and/or knowledge-sharing written reports on the outcome of the activity.  

A maximum of 10 ECTS course credits can be earned from activities that cannot be characterised as an ordinary PhD course or school participation.

Have you planned or completed a course?

Then please state it in your PhD plan to keep your project documented and ensure that it stays on track.

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• Higher education

ECTS — European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

What is ECTS? We tell you how credits are taken into account during transfer and admission, and how universities grade students according to the credits.

ECTS (or the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is the European system for credit transfer and accumulation. Each seminar and course are evaluated using ECTS points — credits. Credits are calculated based on the number of hours the student has spent studying the subject. One credit is equal to about 25-30 hours.

We explain why credits are needed, as well as how they are awarded and taken into account when applying for master's and PhD programs.

The ECTS credit system is used in 48 member countries of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that have adopted the Bologna system. This agreement includes countries from the EU, Turkey, Asia, and the CIS, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, and others.

The ECTS system serves various purposes, primarily:

• Facilitating transfers between universities in different countries that have implemented this system. By utilizing ECTS credits, universities can avoid the need to recalculate credits, making it easier to match equivalent disciplines and prevent redundant coursework for the student.
• Admission into master's and PhD programs . Often, the requirements for these advanced degrees specify the number of credits that students must earn during their previous level of study. For instance, a master's degree typically requires 180 ECTS credits, while PhD degrees usually necessitate 240 credits .
• Employment consideration . Employers can determine the number of hours a student has dedicated to a core subject by assessing their credit count, providing valuable insights into their academic background.

Advantages of the ECTS system

• Increases student mobility . If your current country of study follows the ECTS system, it becomes easier to enroll or transfer to a university in another country that also recognizes this system. It is simpler for universities to credit previously passed courses. For instance, a student receiving a bachelor's diploma from a French university can easily pursue a master's degree in Spain , since both countries use the ECTS system.
• Avoid course repetition . If you drop out or decide to transfer to another university, your earned credits do not go to waste. They can be considered upon readmission, eliminating the need to retake similar courses.
• Flexible scheduling . Students have the flexibility to choose their compulsory and optional subjects. They can decide how many disciplines to study in a semester and regulate the number of study hours. The key requirement is to acquire the necessary number of credits before completing the program.
• Streamlined job applications . By assessing the number of credits earned, employers can easily understand the student's level of study and evaluate their competence.
• Loan applications without a degree. If a bachelor's student intends to pursue a master's degree but cannot obtain a diploma before the deadline, they can provide a transcript . For example, if a student is in the second semester of their third year and has already accumulated 150 credits, the transcript will reflect this information, including the expected number of credits upon successful completion of the bachelor's degree — 180.

Disadvantages of the ECTS system

• Lack of grade standardization across countries . Different countries utilize varying grading systems. For instance, the Czech Republic employs a five-point system, while France follows a twenty-point system. Converting grades between these systems requires the use of a complex formula.
• Partial recognition of subjects during transfers . Even a minor difference in the number of credits can lead to retaking a course when transferring to another university. Additionally, if the course titles of the same discipline differ, it may not be counted towards credit transfer.
• Variation in course loads . Courses can have differing levels of workload. Some courses may require more rigorous assessments, such as oral exams, while others may have shorter tests. However, the ECTS system treats these courses equally in terms of credit allocation.

How ECTS credits work

The typical academic year spans 36-40 weeks, which corresponds to approximately 1500-1800 hours of study per year. On average, students are expected to earn 60 ECTS credits per year. As a result, a three-year bachelor's degree program consists of 180 credits, a four-year program totals 240 credits, and a two-year master's degree program requires 120 credits.

One ECTS credit represents about 25-30 hours. However, this estimate can vary from country to country. For example, in Austria , one credit is considered equivalent to 25 hours, while in France , it is approximately 29 hours [1] .

These hours include not only classroom lectures, but also practical activities, diploma or thesis work, and individual time spent on homework and assignments.

Grades do not impact the number of credits earned. Regardless of the actual grade received, the allocated number of credits remains the same for all students who successfully pass the exam .

Grading scales vary across most EU countries. For instance, the Czech Republic follows a five-point system, while France adopts a twenty-point system. This diversity in grading scales poses challenges when transferring credits or enrolling in a different university, since there is currently no official system for direct conversion.

To address this issue, the ECTS Commission has developed its own grading scheme. Universities incorporate this scheme as a supplementary tool alongside their official grading systems. Admissions offices in different countries can use it to compare an applicant's grades with their university's grading system. It serves as an internal reference, eliminating the need for manual calculations and ensuring a standardized approach to grade comparison.

Prior to 2009, grades were equated with percentage completion. For instance, an "A" grade was awarded to students who completed at least 90% of the course, "B" to those who achieved 80%, and so on. The grading table included seven ratings: A, B, C, D, E, Fx, and F.

Since 2009, universities have implemented a new grading system . Although it may seem more complicated, the creators consider it to be more transparent and objective.

Under the new regulations, the ECTS commission suggests that each university constructs its own grade conversion table. Universities convert grades based on percentiles, considering the percentage of students who score below a certain level in an exam.

The ECTS Commission believes that assessing based on the passing student threshold is more objective than relying on an approximate completion percentage.

During the admission process or when transferring from one university to another, admissions committees can evaluate the grades of a student by referring to their transcript and the grade conversion table adopted by the university.

How ECTS credits are evaluated during admission

Master's programs.

For admission to master's programs , it is important to assess if the number of ECTS credits earned during your bachelor's studies meets the requirements of the specific university. Criteria for each field of study are typically provided on the university's website, where a minimum of 180 credits is often required for admission.

In some cases, universities may have preferences regarding the number of credits in a particular subject area. For example, when applying for finance, universities may expect a minimum of three credits in higher mathematics, indicating that you have acquired at least 75-90 hours of core subject knowledge. This system enables an accurate assessment of a student's proficiency in a more specialized or closely related bachelor's field.

If you studied in a country where one credit is equivalent to 25 hours, and you are applying to a country where 30 hours are considered as one credit, you will need to recalculate the number of credits stated on your diploma.

Due to variations in academic systems, the ECTS credits alone may not be enough. In such cases, applicants can make up for the missing credits through elective courses or by studying abroad on an exchange program during their bachelor's degree. After graduation, additional specialized courses can be taken. Always verify the number of credits you will receive upon program completion, confirm if the institution is authorized to grant credits to applicants, and understand how the subject will be recorded on your diploma or certificate. Such programs usually involve tuition fees.

PhD programs

PhD programs themselves do not use ECTS credits. Instead, they require a certain number of points for admission. Typically, a minimum of 240 credits is needed, which corresponds to three years of bachelor’s studies and one year of master's studies. Please refer to official university websites for specific requirements.

When applying for a PhD program, similar to a master's program, the number of credits in a specialized subject area may be taken into consideration.

Credit systems in the United States and Asian countries

In the United States, the USCS credit system is based on classroom hours. A credit unit is usually equivalent to 50 minutes of instruction. When presenting an ECTS diploma for admission in the US, the credits are divided in half. For example, 60 ECTS credits are equal to 30 US credits.

Countries of the Asia-Pacific region have their own credit system known as UCTS (University Credit Transfer System). It includes countries participating in the UMAP University Mobility Program , such as Australia, Canada, Korea, China, Singapore, and others. UCTS credits facilitate educational exchange among UMAP partner countries. The academic year in UCTS is equivalent to 60 credits, similar to the ECTS system.

Want to study at a foreign university but don't know where to start? We can help!

Our specialists will find a university, arrange your documents, fill out the applications, and stay in touch until you receive an offer.

Related articles

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• How to Apply

Credits & Professional Certifications

What is an ects credit.

'ECTS' stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is the common credit system in place at TU Dublin and in other universities in Ireland and in Europe to assign credits to a programme or module.

Each ECTS credit corresponds to 20-25 'learning hours' (not all learning hours are hours spent in class sessions).

How to Credits make up my Qualification?

Higher certificate (level 6 on the nfq).

A Higher Certificate programme is normally two years full-time duration (or an equivalent part-time duration). Such programmes are expected to have an applied orientation and include suitable relevant aspects of the technology and techniques appropriate to the discipline. The Higher Certificate is awarded for the attainment of a total of 120 ECTS Credits, 60 at Level 1 and 60 at Level 2.

Ordinary Degree (level 7 on the NFQ )

An Ordinary Degree programme is normally of either three years full-time or of one year full-time post-Higher Certificate duration (or equivalent part-time duration). An Ordinary Degree programme reaches a significantly higher level than a Higher Certificate programme, perhaps in a more specialised area of study, entailing a significant input of both theoretical knowledge and project work, especially at the final year stage. The Ordinary Degree is awarded for the attainment of a total of 180 ECTS Credits, 60 at Level 1, 60 at Level 2, and 60 at Level 3.

Honours Degree Awards – ( level 8 on the NFQ )

A programme leading to a Bachelor or primary Honours Degree award is normally the academic outcome of a four-year full-time programme (or part-time equivalent). Honours Degree-level programmes have a significant conceptual orientation, with learning objectives that develop comprehension, analysis, synthesis, practical application of knowledge, and research methods. Bachelor Degree with Honours is awarded for the attainment of a total of 240 ECTS Credits, 60 at Level 1, 60 at Level 2, 60 at Level 3, and 60 at Level 4. This Degree is usually required for entry to Master's Degree programmes.

Postgraduate Programmes – (level 9 on the NFQ )

Postgraduate Programmes and Awards: A taught Master's Degree level programme is normally of one or one and a half years' full-time study (or part-time equivalent) for holders of honours Bachelors Degrees. It requires the preparation of a dissertation on a project related to the taught content of the programme.

• Postgraduate Certificate -  is awarded for the attainment of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits at level 9 .
• Postgraduate Diploma  - is awarded for the attainment of a minimum of 60 ECTS credits at level 9.
• Taught Masters Degree -  is awarded for the attainment of a minimum of 90 ECTS credits at level 9.

PhD - ( level 10 on the NFQ )

What is a special purpose award  (level varies based on detail of award).

Special Purpose QQI Awards are an award type developed for specific areas of learning that have a narrow scope. All special purpose awards comprise one or more components. This means that the credit value of this type of award will be higher than that of a minor award but significantly lower than a major award

What is a CPD award?

Continuing Professional Development or CPD are stand-alone modules that can be taken after a primary degree has been achieved. Certain professional bodies require members to undertake a number of CPD courses or hours every year to remain certified as members or professionals. CPD is the means by which professionals develop and maintain their level of competency. Some CPD courses may offer certificates or diplomas which fall on the NFQ. Others offer “CPD hours” which count towards a professional’s annual requirements.

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Educational credentials and grade equivalencies

• Application deadlines
• Applying to McGill
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• Admission to PhD1 (Direct Entry)
• Visiting, Exchange and Special Students
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Please use this list to fill in the GPA Information section of your application.
• This list includes the most commonly used grading systems for each country. Unique universities grading scales are not described.
• When the original credential and/or grading scale is written in a language other than English, the description provided here includes the minimum amount of translation and modifications.
• Be sure to include a copy of your institution grading scale when uploading your transcripts.
• If the country and credential of interest to you is not listed, you may request an addition by completing this request form .

Master’s Minimum Admission Requirements

•  4-5 year bachelor’s degree

Doctoral Minimum Admission Requirements

•  Master’s degree

Grading Scales & Minimum Admission Grade Requirements

•  A minimum grade of 66 out of 100 is required.
• 4-year bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Diploma of Advanced Studies
• A minimum grade of 7 out of 10 is required
• 4-year License
• Diplôme d'Études Supérieures (DES)
• Magister / Master's degree

Generic Grading Scale (Minimum Academic Standing)

• A minimum grade of 12 or 20 or an overall standing of Assez Bien is required.
• Grau de Licenciatura (4 years)
• Bàtxelor/Bachelor’s (4 years)
• Diploma de Postgrau
• Not available.
•  4-5 year Licence (Licenciate); Diplôme (Diploma); Ingénieur (Engineer)
• Magister or Maestría (Master's) (2 years)
•  A minimum grade of 6 out of 10 is required.
• Bakalavri Kochum (Bachelor’s degree)
• 5-year Diploma of Higher Education
• Magistrosi Kochum (Master’s degree)
• Diploma with Qualification
• A minimum grade of 15 out of 20, 7 out of 10, or 4 out of 5, is required.
•  4-year bachelor’s
•  Master’s Qualifying (awarded following a 3-year bachelor’s degree)
•  Master’s (awarded following a 4-year bachelor’s degree)

Additional Notes

• For credentials awarded under the Bologna signatory agreement:
• Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree comprising 180-240 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits to be eligible for entry to a master’s program.
• Applicants must complete a master’s degree comprising 90 ECTS credits to be eligible for entry to a doctoral program.
• Applicants who have completed a 60 ECTS credit master’s degree may be considered for admission to a McGill master’s degree program.
• Overall standings are normally reported in lieu of an average. The CGPA can be determined on the basis of annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate. If the overall standing is not available, a course-by-course calculation will be used. The method used in calculating the CGPA is at the discretion of each department.
• A minimum grade of 70 out of 100, or a minimum overall standing of Distinction/Second Class, Upper Division is required.
•  4-5 year Diplom/Magistra (Diploma/Magister)
•  Doktor/Doktorin der gesamtem Heilkunde (Doctor of Medicine)
•  Doktor/Doktorin der Zahnheilkunde (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
•  Doktor (Doctorate) (awarded 2 years beyond the Magister)
•  A minimum grade of 2 out of 5 is required.
• 4-year Bakalavr (Bachelor’s)
• Magister (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of B, or 80 out of 100, is required.
•  A minimum grade of 80 out of 100 is required.
• 4-5 year bachelor’s
• Master’s (awarded following a 3-year bachelor’s)
• Master of Law
• Master of Philosophy
• Master of Science (in agriculture-related fields)
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Library Science
• Overall standings are normally reported in lieu of an average. The CGPA can be determined on the basis of annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate. If the overall standing is not available, a course-by-course calculation must be used. The method used in calculating the CGPA is at the discretion of each department.
• A minimum grade of 55 out of 100 is required, or a minimum overall standing of Second Class, Upper (or Second Class if no upper/lower designation is available).
• 4-year bachelor’s
• 3-year bachelor’s degrees are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Overall standings are normally reported in lieu of an average. The CGPA can be determined on the basis of annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate.  If the overall standing is not available, a course-by-course calculation must be used. The method used in calculating the CGPA is at the discretion of each department.
• A minimum standing of Second Class Honours, Upper is required.
• 4- or 5-year bachelor’s (Diplom Bakalaura)
• 4- or 5-year Diploma of Higher Education (Diplomirovannyj Specialist)
• Master’s (Magister)
• A minimum grade of 6 out of 10 is required.
• 4-5 year Licence (Licenciate); Diplôme (Diploma); Ingénieur (Engineer)
• Master's (1-year)
• Master's (2-year, 120 ECTS credits)
• Doctorat/Doctoraat (Doctorate)
• A minimum grade of 14 on a 20-point grading scale, or Distinction, is required.

10 Passing Grade

• 4-year Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• A minimum grade of B is required.
• 4-year Maîtrise (Master’s) (BACC + 4)
• Diplôme d’Ingénieur (Diploma of Engineer)
• Diplôme de Grande Ecole (Diploma of Higher School of Professional Education)
• Diplôme d’Etat de Docteur (State Diploma of Doctor)
• Diplôme d’Études Supérieures (DES) or Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS)
• Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA)
• A minimum grade of 12 on a 20-point scale is required.
• 3-year bachelor’s degree + 1-year Honours
• 3-year bachelor’s degree + post-graduate diploma
•   A minimum grade of 60 on a 100 is required.
• 4-6-year Licenciado (Licenciate)
• Maestría en; Magister (Master in; Master’s)
• A minimum grade of 64 out of 100 is required.
• 4-6-year Diploma with Professional Title
• Magistrar (Master’s)
• Applicants who have completed a 60 ECTS credit master’s degree are eligible for admission to a McGill master’s degree program.
• A minimum grade of 8 out of 10 is required.
• 4 year Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade of B, or an overall standing of Second Class, First Division, is required.
• Licenciado/Licenciatura (Licenciate/Licence)
• Bacharel/Bacharelado (Bachelor’s)
• Título Profissional (Professional Title)
•  Mestrado or Mestre (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point grading scale is required
• 4-5 year Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education)
• Applicants who have completed a 60 ECTS credit master’s degree may be eligible for admission to a McGill master’s degree program.
• A minimum grade of 4 on a 6-point grading scale is required.
• Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS)
• A minimum grade of 12 out of 20, or an overall standing of Assez Bien, is required.
• A minimum grade of 12 on a 20-point scale, 70 out of 100, or an overall standing of Assez Bien, is required.
• 4-year Licence or Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade of B, 70 out of 100, or 7 out of 10 is required.
• Most university-level institutions in Cambodia have adopted an alphabetic grading scale.
• If the institution uses a different percentage or numeric scale from those listed below, use the scale provided by the institution. Ensure that a copy of the scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• Docteur en Médicine (Doctor of Medicine)
• Diplôme d’Ingénieur Agronome (Diploma of Agricultural Engineer)
• 3-year Bachelor’s (following A-Levels)
• Diplôme d’Études Supérieures (DES)
• Master’s (following a Bachelor’s)
• A minimum grade of 12 out of 20, an overall standing of Assez Bien, or an overall standing of Second Class, Upper division, is required.
• 4-year bachelor’s, or equivalent
• Some institutions using a percentage grade scale may have a different conversion from the scale provided below. In such cases the institution scale should be used to make the conversion. Make sure that a copy of the institution grading scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A minimum grade of B, or equivalent, is required.
• Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’Agriculture (Diploma of Agricultural Engineer)
• Not applicable
• 4-year Licence (since 2010)
• 4-years combined Licence + Maîtrise (before 2010)
• 4-year Licence + Maîtrise
•   4-year Licenciatura (Licenciate)
•   Título Profesional (Professional Title)
•  Magister (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 5.25 on a 7-point scale is required.
•  4-5 year Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade of B, or a percentage grade equivalent to a B, is required.
• If the institution uses a different percentage scale from those presented here, use the conversion issued by the institution. A copy of the institution scale must be uploaded with the transcript.
•   4-5 year Licenciatura (Licentiate)
• Título Profesional (Professional Title)
• Título de Ingeniero
• Título de Abogado
•  Magister/Maestría (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 3.5 on a 5-point scale is required.
• 3-year Diplôme de Gradué + 2-year Licence
• 3-year Diplôme de Gradué + 2-year Diplôme d'Ingénieur
• Diplôme ďEtudes Supérieures
• A minimum grade of 12 on a 20-point scale, or an overall standing of Assez Bien, is required.
• 4-year Bachiller/Bachillerato Universitario (Bachelor’s)
• Licenciatura (Licenciate)
• Maestría (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of 8 on a 10-point scale is required.
• 2-year Master (after DES or Maîtrise)
• Licenciatura (Licentiate)
• Título de Maestría (Title of Master)
• A minimum grade of 4 on a 5-point grading scale is required.
• Grading scales used at individual institutions are normally listed on the transcript (relación de notas). If using a conversion not listed below, it is important to include a copy of the institution scale with you uploaded transcripts.
• Ptychio (Diploma)
• Lisans Diplomasi (Bachelor’s)
•   Lisansüstü Diplomasi (Master’s)
•   Magister (Master’s)
•  The grading system used at postsecondary institutions is similar to the American system. Students are scored with letter grades (A – F) and receive a GPA out of 4.0.  Some universities use double letter grades (e.g. AA, AB, BC, etc.).
• 4-year Bakalar or Bakalar Umeni
• 4- or 5-year Promovany
• Magistr (Master’s)
• Inženýr (Engineer)
• A minimum grade of Velmi dobře is required.
•  4-year Bachelor’s
• 4-year Professionsbachelor in...
• Teknikumingeniør
•   Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii (Master’s)
•  A minimum of 10 on the 7-tiered scale is required, or 7 on the 13-point scale.
• 4-year Licenciatura
• 5-6 year Ingeniero (Engineering)
• Maestría (Master)
• Especialista (Specialist)
• A minimum grade of B, or 3 out of 4, is required.
•  4-5 year Licenciado (Bachelor’s)
•  5-6 year Título Profesional (Professional Title)
•  7-year Doctor en Medicina (Doctor of Medicine)
•  Magister/Maestría/Maestro (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of 30 on a 40-point scale is required.
• A minimum grade of 23 on a 30-point scale is required.
• A minimum grade of 15 on a 20-point scale is required.
• 4-5 year Baccalaureos (Bachelor’s)
• Magistr/Majister (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of 65 out of 100 is required.
• Grading Scale A: Arts, Language, Islamic Studies, Archaeology, Commerce, Economics and Political Science, Law, Mass Communications.
• Grading Scale B: Health Sciences.
• Grading Scale C: Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Technology, Social Sciences, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine.
• 4-5 year Licenciatura
• 4-7 year Título
• Título de Maestria
• A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point scale is required
•   A minimum grade of 4 on a 5-point scale is required. 
• A minimum grade of B, or 70 out of 100, is required.
• 4-5 year Bachelor’s
• Percentage scales vary from institution to institution. If the percentage scale does not match the scale below, the institution scale must be used to make the conversion. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• 3-year Bachelor’s (after year 13, Form 7)
• Percentage scales may vary from institution to institution. If the percentage scale does not match the scale below, the institution scale must be used to make the conversion. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A minimum grade of B, or 65 out of 100, is required.
• 4-year Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto/Ykershögskolaexamen
• 4-year professional degree
• Maisterin tutkinto/Magisterexamen (master’s)
• Professional master’s degree
• Applicants who have obtained a three-year undergraduate degree must also complete a master’s in order to be eligible for admission to a master’s degree at McGill.
• A minimum grade of 3 on a 5-point scale is required.
• The minimum grade required: 12 on a 20-point scale or an overall standing of Assez Bien.

Master’s Minimum Admission Requirements:

• 4-year Bachelor’s
• Bakalavris Kharishki (Bachelor’s)
• Specialistis Diplomi (Specialist Diploma)
• Magistris Kharishki (Master’s)
• Diplomi in… (professional master’s)
• The minimum grade required is 81 on 100, or 4 on a 5-point scale.
• 4-year Bakkalaureus
• 4-5 year Diplom (Diploma)
• Magister Atrium
• Staatsexamen, Straatsprufung or Erste Prüfung/Erste Juristiche Straatsprufung (Law State Exam)
• Vordiplom or Diplom V from Fachhochschule (Diplom FH) is not recognized for admission
• A minimum grade of 2.0 on a 5-point scale (on a reverse grade point), or an overall standing of Gut (good), is required. For studies in Law, a minimum grade of 10 on an 18-point scale, or an overall standing of Vollbefriedigend (fully satisfactory), is required.
• Applicants who have completed Advanced Levels (at least three subjects) can be considered on a four-year bachelor’s. Please upload final A-Level results along with university transcripts.
• An overall grade of 60 on 100, or an overall standing of Second Class Honours, Upper Division, is required.
• 4-6 year Ptychio (Diploma)
• Metaptychiako (Diploma of Specialization)
•    A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point scale is required.
• 4-year Baccalaureatus
• Magister (Master's)
• A minimum grade of 81 out of 100 is required.
• 2-year Mastère (after DES or Maîtrise)
• 4-year Licence (Licenciate)
• 4-year Diplôme (professional diploma)

Doctoral Minimum Admission Requirements:

• Maîtrise (Master’s)
• The 100-point grading scale is the most common, though a variety of grading scales are used in private institutions. Certain institutions use letter grades from A through F.
• A minimum grade of 70 out of 100 is required.
• 4-year Título
• Maestria (Master's)
• A minimum grade of 80 out of 100 is required.
• Overall standings are normally reported in lieu of an average. The CGPA can be determined on the basis of annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate. If the overall standing is not available, a course-by-course calculation will be used. The method used in calculating the CGPA is at the discretion of each department.
• An overall standing of Second Class Honours, Upper Division is required.
• 4-5 year Egytemi Oklevél (university degree)
• Mester Oklevél
• Szakirányú Továbbképzési Oklevél (Post-University Specialization)
• 2-year 120 ECTS-credit Mesterkepzes/Mesterfokozat
• Applicants with a 4-year college diploma (Főiskolai Oklevél) can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• The minimum grade of 4 on a 5-point scale is required.
• 4-year Baccalaureatus/Candidatus (Bachelor’s)
• Kandidatspróf (professional degree)
• Meistarapróf/Magister (Master’s)
• The minimum grade of 6 on a 10-point scale is required.
• 3-year Bachelor’s from institutions with a NAAC rating of “A”
• 2-year Master’s awarded beyond a 3-year Bachelor’s from institutions with a NAAC rating below “A”
• Master’s (awarded after a 4-year Bachelor’s)
• Master’s (awarded after a 3-year Bachelor’s from a school with a NAAC rating of “A”)
• Note on the 10-point scale. Many institutions use a unique conversion of the 10-point scale. When calculating a conversion, please use the grading scale included with your transcript, or provided by your institution.
• A minimum overall of 55 out of 100 is required, or a standing of Second Division, Upper (or Second Division if there is no upper/lower classification).  
• 4-year Sarjana Strata 1/S1 (Stage 1 degree)
• Magister/Strata 2/S2 (Master’s/Stage 2 degree)
• A minimum grade of 3 on a 4-point scale is required.
•  4-year  Karshenasi (Bachelor’s)
•  Karshenasi Arshad (Master’s)
•  Students must submit original documents in Persian and in English, certified and translated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
•  The minimum passing grade in an undergraduate program is 10.
•  The minimum passing grade in an graduate program is 12.
•   A minimum grade of 14 on 20 is required for undergraduate programs, while a 15 on 20 is required for graduate programs.  
•  A minimum grade of 70 out of 100 is required.
•  4-year Bachelor’s (Honours)
• The minimum overall standing required is Second Class, Upper Division.
•  Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree comprising 180-240 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits to be eligible for entry to a master’s program.
•  Applicants must complete a master’s degree comprising 90 ECTS credits to be eligible for entry to a doctoral program.
•  Applicants who have completed a 60 ECTS credit master’s degree may be considered for admission to a McGill master’s degree program.
•  A minimum grade of 75 out of 100 is required.
• 4-year Laurea (Bachelor’s)
• Diploma di Specialistica (Diploma of Specialist)
• Laurea Specialistica
• Laurea Magistrale
•   Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree comprising 180-240 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits to be eligible for entry to a master’s program.
•   Applicants must complete a master’s degree comprising 90 ECTS credits to be eligible for entry to a doctoral program.
•   Applicants who have completed a 60 ECTS credit master’s degree may be considered for admission to a McGill master’s degree program.
•  A minimum grade of 24 out of 30 is required.
• 3-year Bachelor’s degrees are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• For institutions using a percentage scale, convert the average using the institution’s own grading and conversion scale. Make sure a copy of the scale is included with the uploaded transcript.
• A minimum overall standing of Upper Second Class Honours is required.
• 4-year Gakushi Shogo (Bachelor’s)
• Shushi-go (Master’s)
• Failed and repeated courses are not always reported.
• 4-6 year Bachelor’s
• For institutions using a percentage scale different from the one presented below, convert the average using the institution’s own grading and conversion scale. Make sure a copy of the scale is included with the uploaded transcript.
• 4-year Bakalar (Bachelor’s)
• Diplom Spetsialista (Specialist’s degree)
• A minimum grade of 80 out of 100, or 3.00 out of 4.00, is required
• A minimum of 60 out of 100, or an overall standing of Second Class Honours, Upper Division, is required.
•  A minimum grade of B, or 80 out of 100, is required.  
• 4-year Diplom Bakalavra (Bachelor’s Diploma)
• 5-year Diplom Spetsialista (Diploma of Specialist)
• Diplom Magistra (Diploma of Magister)
• A minimum grade of B, or 4 out of 5 is required.
•  4-year Bakalaurs (Bachelor’s)
•  5-year Diploms (professional degree)
•  Magistrs (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point scale is required.  
• License comprising 180-240 ECTS credit
• Magistrs (Master’s)
• Master de Recherche comprising 90-120 ECTS
• A minimum of 12 on a 20-point scale, or 70 out of 100, is required.
•  A minimum grade of 65 out of 100 is required.
• A minimum grade of B, or 60 out of 100, is required.
• 4-year Baccalaureate degree
• 4-year Sarjana Muda (Bachelor’s)
• Sarjana (Master’s)
• Bachelor’s degree (following Upper Secondary Matriculation Certificate)
• 3-4 year Bachelor's
• Percentage grades may vary from institution to institution.
•  4-year Licenciatura
• 4-year Título Profesional (Professional Title)
• Grado de Maestro / Maestría
• Título de Especialista (Title of Specialist)
• A minimum grade of 8 out of 10, or 80 out of 100, is required.
• Some graduate programs have a different passing grade.  
• 4-year Bachelor’s degree
•  4-year Licence (Bachelor’s)
•  Diplôme d’Ingénieur (Diploma of Engineer)
•  5-year Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’Etat (Engineering Diploma)
•  Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieurs (DES)
•  DES Spécialisées (DESS)
•  Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieurs Approfondies (DESA)
•  A minimum grade of 14 on a 20-point scale is required.
• 5-year Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree following a 5-year bachelor’s
• Master’s (following a 3-year bachelor’s degree)
• Master’s (following a 4-year bachelor’s degree)
• A minimum of 45 out of 100, or an overall standing of Second Class, is required.
•  Ingénieur; Meester (Engineer)
• Meester in de rechten (Master of Law)
•  A minimum overall grade of 6.5 on a 10-point scale is required.
• 3-year Bachelor’s + 1-year honours
• 2-year Master’s following a 3-year Bachelor’s
• 4 or 5-year Licenciatura (Licentiate)
• Título de… (Title of…/professional degree)
• The National Diploma and Higher National Diploma are not recognized for admission to a graduate-level program.
• A minimum grade of B, 60 out of 100, or Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
• 3 or 4-year Bachelor’s

Additional Comments

• A three-year bachelor’s degree from Norway is acceptable for admission to a master’s-level program. Primary and secondary studies in Norway normally equal 13 years of study (7+3+3).
• A minimum grade of 2.0 on a 6-point scale is normally required.
• Some programs may have a higher failure grade.
• A minimum grade of 60 out of 100, or Second Class Honours, Upper Division, is required.  
• A minimum grade of B, or Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
• Licenciado/Licenciatura (Licenciate)
• Bachiller (Bachelor)
•  Maestría (Master’s)
•  Especialista (Specialization)
•  A minimum grade of 12 on a 20-point scale is required.  
• 6 years of postgraduate study, completion of both Bachelor’s and Master’s
• Doctoral degree beyond 6 years, or two Master’s
• A minimum grade of 2 on a 5-point reverse grading scale is required.  
• 4-year Licencjat
• 4-year Inzynier
• A minimum grade of 4 on a 5-point grading scale is required.  
• 4-5 year Licenciatura (Licenciate)
•  Mestrado/Mestre (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 14 out of 20 is required.
•  4-5 year Grado de Bachillerato (Bachelor’s)
•  Grado de Maestría (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4-point grading scale is required.  
• 4-year Bachelor's
• A minimum grade of 14 out of 20 is required.
• 4-6 year Diploma de Licenta (Licenciate Diploma)
• 4-6 year Diploma de Inginer (Engineer Diploma)
• 4-6 year Diploma de Architect (Architect Diploma)
• 4-6 year Diploma de Doctor-Medic (Medical Doctor Diploma)
• Diploma de Maistru/Master/Magister (Master’s Diploma)
• Diploma de Studii Aprofundante (Advanced Studies Diploma)
•  A minimum grade of 7 out of 10 is required.
• Diplom Kandidata Nauk (Diploma of Candidate of Sciences)
• 2-year Baccalauréat + 2-year Licence
• 2-year Baccalauréat + Diplome d’Ingenieur
• A minimum grade of B, or 75 out of 100, is required.
• 4-6-year Baccaloreous (Bachelor’s)
• Darajat al Magisteer (Master’s)
• A minimum grade of B, 80 out of 100, or a 3 on a 5-point scale is required.
• 4-6-year Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja (Bachelor’s)
• Diploma Spetsijalističke Strukovne Studije (following the 3-year Osnovne Strukovne Studije diploma)
• Magistar Nauka / Magistar Umetnosti (Master of Science / Master of Arts)
• Diploma Integrisane Akademske Studije (Integrated Studies Diploma)
• Master Akademske Studije (Master of Applied Studies)
• Applicants who complete a 180 ECTS-credit Osnovne Strukovne Studije diploma must also complete the 60 ECTS-credit Diploma Spetsijalističke Strukovne Studije to be eligible for entry to a master’s program.
• Applicants who have completed a combined 300 ECTS credits, with a bachelor’s degree and a Diploma Integrisane Akademske Studije (Integrated Studies Diploma) or Master Akademske Studije (Master of Academic Studies), may be eligible for entry to a doctoral program.
• A minimum grade of B, or a percentage grade equivalent to B, is required.
• 3-year Bachelor’s (following Advanced Levels)
• 1-year Bachelor's Degree with Honours (following a 3-year Bachelor’s)
• The minimum grade required is B; the minimum overall standing required is Second Class, Upper Division, or Very Good.
• 4-year Bakalár (Bachelor’s Degree)
• Magister (Master’s Degree)
• A minimum grade of 2 on a 4-point grading scale is required.
• 4-year Bachelor
• 4/5-year Diplomirani (Bachelor’s Degree)
• 4/5-year Akademski (Bachelor’s Degree)
• A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point grading scale is required.

10 Passing Grade:

• 4-year Diploma di Laurea
• 4-year Lawriyada
• 1-year Bachelor (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma following a 3-year Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade if B, or 70 out of 100, or an overall standing of Second Class, Division 1, is required.
•  4-year Haksa (Bachelor’s)
• Soksa (Master’s)
•  A minimum of B, or 3.00 on 4.00, is required.
• 4-year Título de Graduado (Title of Graduate)
• 4/5-year Título de Licenciado (Title of Licenciate)
• 4/5-year Título de… (Professional Title)
• Magister (Master)
• 2-year Máster Universitario (University Master’s)
• Diploma de Estudios Superiores Especialzados (Diploma of Specialized Higher Studies)
• A minimum grade of 7 out of 10 is required.
• 4-6 year Bachelor’s (Special)
• Some institutions may have a different percentage scale. In this case, use the conversion provided by the institution. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A minimum grade of B, or a minimum overall standing of Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
• A minimum grade of B, or 80 out of 100, is required
• 4-year bachelor’s (160 points)
• Combination of bachelor’s/master’s totaling at least 160 points
• Masterexamen
• Master’s degree completed after 4-year bachelor’s
• Some areas, such as Law, use a unique grading system. The conversion provided by the institution should be used.
• 4-6 year Licence/Lizentiat/Diplom (Licenciate or Diploma)
•  The minimum grade of 4.5 on a 6-point scale is required.  
• 4-5 year Licence (Bachelor’s)
• The percentage scale may be different for graduate programs. The institution scale must be used in such cases. Make sure that a copy of the scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A minimum grade of 60 out of 100 is required.
• 4-7 year Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade of 70 out of 100 is required for undergraduate programs.
• For graduate programs, a pass is normally 70%. Use the scale provided by the institution, and ensure that a copy of the scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A grade of D is awarded at some institutions, normally corresponding to 55 – 59%. A grade of D is used only if the grade appears on the institution scale. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• 3-year Bachelor’s degrees (honours) are considered case by case
• A minimum grade of B, or an overall standing of Second Class, Upper, is required.
• Students presenting a Higher Diploma / Higher Degree can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A minimum of four years of post-secondary study is required.
• 4 years of post-secondary studies (3-year License + 1-year Maîtrise)
• 4-year Master Recherche
• 5-year Diplôme d'Ingénieur
• 3-year bachelor’s + Advanced Levels or CAPE diploma
• Many professional or specialized degrees award only First Class Honours, Second Class Honours and Pass, or Honours and Pass.
• A minimum grade of B, 60 out of 100, or an overall standing of Second Class, Upper, is required.
• 4 years of post-secondary study (3-year License + 1-year Maîtrise)
• Diplôme National d'Ingénieur
• Mastère / Mastère Professionel / Mastère Spécialisé / Master Recherché
• Maîtrise (following four years of undergraduate study)
• 2-year Maîtrise (following a 3-year License)
• 4-year Lisans Diplomasi (Licenciate Diploma)
• 4-year Muhendis Diplomasi (Engineering Diploma)
•  Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi (Higher Licentiate Diploma)
• A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point scale, or 65 out of 100, is required.
• 3-4 year Bachelor’s
• A minimum grade of B, or an overall standing of Class II (ii), is required.
• 4-year Dyplom Bakalavra
• 5-6 year Dyplom Spetsialista (Diploma of Specialist)
• Dyplom Magistra (Diploma of Master)
• A minimum grade of B, or 4 on a 5-point scale, is required.
• 4-year Bachelor’s / Licence
• Master’s degrees are often graded Distinction (A), Merit (B), Pass (C), and Fail (F).
• A minimum grade of B, 60 out of 100, or an overall standing of Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
• 4-5 year Licenciado (Licenciate)
• 4-5 year Título (Professional Title)
•  Maestría/Magister (Master’s)
• The most common grading scale is 0 to 12, with 6 being the minimum passing grade. The only grade below a 6 is 3, which represents a failure. (Note that a grade of 3 on a final examination is considered a passing grade.) Individual institutions employ their unique grading scales which are typically detailed on the student transcripts. If the 12-point scale does not match the scale below, the institution scale must be used to make the conversion. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• Juris Doctor, awarded after 2-3 years following a 4-year Bachelor’s
• The value of a .5 on a 4-point grading scales may vary between institutions. For example, a 3.5 may be converted to either A- or B+. In these cases, the institution scale must be used to make the conversion. Make sure that a copy of the institution scale is uploaded with the transcript.
• A minimum grade of B, or 3.0 on a 4-point grading scale is required.
• 4-year Bakalavr Diplomi
• 4-year Bakalavr Diplomi Imtiyozli
• Magistr Diplomi
• A minimum grade of B, or 75 out of 100, is required.  
• Título (Professional Title)
• Maestría / Magister
•  A minimum grade of 13 on a 20-point scale is required.  
• 4-year Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Ðại Học (Bachelor’s)
•  Bằng Thạc Sĩ (Master’s)
•  A minimum grade of 7 on a 10-point scale is required.  
• A minimum grade of B, or a grade equivalent to B out of 100, is required.
• A minimum overall standing of Second Class, Upper Division, is required.

Related Content

References preferred by mcgill admissions.

• AACRAO EDGE database  
• Association of Commonwealth Universities Handbook  
• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)
• Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• ENIC/NARIC Network
• International Association of Universities
• World Education Service  

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

More about our PhD Program and our Research Associates Program

• Application
• Mental Health
• In cases of discrimination, sexual harassment, or any form of power abuse
• Soft skills training and key qualifications
• Good scientific practice

INSIGHTS aims to build a bridge between academia, policy makers and the wider public.

• Policy Fellowships
• Conference Presentations
• INSIGHTS Pieces
• Research Projects
• INSIGHTS PhD course: Economics and Transfer to the Public
• INSIGHTS Events
• Internships
• Communication
• European Winter Meeting of the Econometric Society 2022
• Discussion Papers

Our members, alumni placements and visiting faculty

• Visiting Faculty

Scientific events in the Berlin area

Current Job Market Candidates

• Job Market Candidates

General information

• PhD Program

The Berlin School of Economics PhD Program provides outstanding doctoral students with a vibrant, intensively networked research community. The program develops the students’ talents in a unique combination of a high-level, academic research environment together with applied, policy-oriented research opportunities. Students receive state-of-the-art coursework training and can select from a wide array of specializations. For each specialization, a professional research environment is provided by Berlin’s universities and economic research institutes.

How to apply

Course catalog

Program structure and curriculum

All PhD tracks offered in the PhD Program share the same structure and general curriculum. The program’s curriculum is divided into a qualification and a dissertation phase:

Qualification Phase

During the qualification phase (about three semesters), students acquire methodological and research-oriented training in mandatory course work in economic theory, applied economics, business studies, econometrics, and economic policy. Students define their research area and find supervisory support from two supervisors. They write research proposals that are discussed with faculty members individually and in seminars in order to provide early feedback on the scientific potential of research ideas. This is a central part of the PhD Program, in which the students have full flexibility in the choice of their research topics and of the supervisors. During this phase, students are funded through stipends that allow for this flexibility. In total, students have to complete a  minimum of 90 ECTS credits  in order to finish the qualification phase of the program.

Dissertation Phase

During the subsequent dissertation phase (about three years), students write a doctoral thesis while having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the professional research environment that is provided at the Berlin universities and research institutes participating in the Berlin School of Economics. In this phase, students are typically employed at their supervisor’s chair or in research groups at research institutes.

The PhD will be awarded by one of the institutions in the Berlin School of Economics with the right to award doctoral degrees. In most cases, the PhD is awarded by the institution the student’s first supervisor is affiliated with.

The following chart gives an overview of the general structure of the PhD Program:

Researchers Guide

This guide includes academic advices from the researchers of the Berlin School of Economics.

Special thanks to the INSIGHTS Team, researchers of Berlin School of Economics, Agne Kajackaite, Aleks Zaklan, Alexander Kriwoluzky, Ally Xin Lin, Annekatrin Schrenker, C. Katharina Spieß, Christian Basteck, Ciril Bosch-Rosa, Dorothea Kübler, Francis de Véricourt, Georg Weizsäcker, Gyula Seres, Hande Erkut, Hannes Ullrich, Jana Hamdan, Levent Neyse, Lisa Bruttel, Lutz Weinke, Mira Fischer, Müge Süer, Nikolaus Wolf, Peter Haan, Robert Stüber, Sebastian Schweighofer-Kodritsch, Simone Maxand, Vincent Meisner, and Pablo Brañas-Garza.

You can download the web version

or print the printable version

Also note the compiled information on our website about support and resources, for example Mental Health.

Studying in French-speaking Belgium: qualifications, ECTS credits and equivalence

Equivalence: belgian qualifications acknowledged worldwide thanks to ects credits.

In French-speaking Belgium, higher education is based on a system of three cycles of studies: the Bachelor’s degree , the Master’s degree  and the PhD . Each qualification obtained gives you ECTS credits, which are recognised in numerous countries in both the European Union and worldwide. As an adhering member of this system, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is committed to guaranteeing the quality of higher education, promoting student mobility and strengthening the globalisation of its higher education.

What exactly is the CCES system and what are ECTS credits?

The organisation into three cycles (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and PhD) or CCES (higher education qualification framework) shared by most of the European Union countries, makes recognition of qualifications between the various countries far more simple. Just as it does student mobility within Europe and beyond.

Thus the award of the qualifications is linked to the number of years of studies completed since entering higher education. Each year can award up to 60 ECTS credits (European Credits Transfer System ), which can be used and transferred from one country to another.

Studying in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation will give you the chance to continue your studies elsewhere in Europe where your qualification will be immediately recognised and, in the end, you can accordingly gain access to the whole of the European employment market.

How do ECTS credits work?

As a general rule, 60 ECTS credits represent a complete year of studies or work. During a standard year spent in higher education, credits are broken down into different learning activities. Such as, for example, lectures, practical courses, internships, etc. Depending on your study cycle, you will earn a greater or small number of ECTS credits:

• A 1st cycle qualification (Bachelor’s degree) represents 180 or 240 ECTS credits, namely 3 to 4 years of study.
• A 2nd cycle qualification (Master’s degree) represents 60 or 180 ECTS credits, namely 1 to 3 years of study.
• A 3rd cycle qualification (PhD) represents a variable number of ECTS.

60 ECTS credits = 1 academic year 1 credit = 30 hours of learning activities (lectures, practical courses, personal work, internships, etc.).

Equivalence between your qualification and Belgium qualifications

In Belgium, each institution defines its own admission criteria, depending on the previous studies completed by the foreign student and the envisaged education requirements. However, although the ultimate decision of whether or not to accept an applicant lies with the institution, mutual recognition agreements of qualifications do, without doubt, facilitate applications for acknowledgement of equivalence.

To help you have your qualification recognised, the  ENIC-NARIC centre  can provide you with a certificate attesting to the value of a qualification obtained from a foreign education system in respect of the system in place in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. This certificate does not in itself constitute an effective acknowledgement of equivalence, however some higher education institution require it. Note that the process costs €70 per case. And the European ENIC-NARIC network can also certify the value of years of study completed in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in your country too.

To submit an application for acknowledgement of “classic” equivalence or an application for acknowledgement of the equivalence of a French school leaving certificate , you can contact the Academic and professional recognition service of foreign higher education qualifications .

If you have at least five years of experience (VAE) in a professional setting or personally, you can have this experience assessed by a panel comprising the higher education institution of your choice. This assessment will allow you to access higher education even if you do not have the required qualifications and, potentially, obtain dispensation to shorten the duration of your studies.

To have your experience assessed:

• Contact the VAE councillor of the higher education institution of your choice;
• Prepare the file detailing your experience;
• Submit the file to the panel, which will decide whether or not to authorise your admission.

College of Education

• Graduate Program

Educational Psychology - M.Ed.

Program overview.

Educational Psychology is an academic program in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling. The program equips students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. Additionally, students learn to apply quantitative and qualitative research skills in a manner that promotes educational improvement while valuing individual differences. Thus, educational psychology attracts students from various educational and professional backgrounds including education, psychology, human sciences, business, sports sciences, and health sciences.

Request More Information

Program work within Educational Psychology is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, the standards from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the sound professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.

The master's program is designed to provide students with content knowledge that facilitates the application of research in educational psychology to educational settings. Teachers are especially encouraged to select the applied master's degree plan that is designed to prepare highly effective, culturally sensitive educators.

Degrees Offered

M.Ed., offered as a face-to-face or hybrid program.

Career Opportunities With This Degree

Most graduates teach in colleges or universities or are in positions conducting research.

Application Materials

College Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the Graduate School application . Information on submitting official transcripts will be provided to you by the Graduate School. Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted. Please redact the Social Security Number anywhere it appears on your transcript. If documents are written in a language other than English, a copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records.

Required Supplemental Application Materials

GRE Scores, Resume, Three Professional Recommendations, Academic Writing Sample, Response to Applicant Statement Prompt. Download a comprehensive list of requirements.

Application Process

Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply.

This program requires official GRE scores. Scores must no more than 5 years old at the time of application. Official GRE scores must be sent from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the Texas Tech Graduate School. To register for the examination please visit the GRE Testing website . Texas Tech University's code is 6827.

• Due to ongoing accessibility concerns, the Graduate School has suspended GRE test score requirements for applications through at least Summer 2025. For more information, please contact the Graduate School .

Semester in which the program can be started

It is recommended that students start in the fall but applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Estimated Hours to Completion

45 credit hours

Allowable Transfer Hours

6 credit hours if completed in the last 7 years with a grade of B or better.

Financial Aid

TTU Graduate School and COE scholarships, research assistantships, student loans

To be competitive for funding support, the recommended deadline for Fall is December 1 st . However, applications received at other times will be reviewed.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Chance Webb Academic Advisor/Admissions Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment [email protected] 806-834-6768

Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics

Educational psychology and foundations, school psychology.

• Delivery : Face-to-Face or Hybrid
• Hours to Completion: 45
• Now accepting applications for: All Semesters
• Maximum Transfer Hours: 6

Contact TTU

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