European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is a student oriented credit system based on the workload of the student for a specific course. It is a value which represents all the studies (theoretical courses, applications, seminars, independent studies, examinations, assignments, etc.) that a student needs to complete in order to achieve the defined learning outcomes.
As an academic equivalence system, European Credit Transfer System’s (ECTS) main aim is to maintain mutual recognition of exchange students’ academic achievements in different education institutions of different countries. ECTS credits are quantitative values of workload which the students need to complete in order to achieve expected learning outcomes.
ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits measure the workload of a fulltime student during one academic year. (30 credits for half-year) Student workload is the main criterion of estimating credit.
Estimating Students’ Workload
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.
Estimating ECTS
30 ECTS= Half Year
60 ECTS= Full Year
1 ECTS =25-30 hours of work
At Ankara University: 1 ACTS corresponds 30 Hours of workload
At Ankara University student workload is about 1,800 hours for an academic year (900 for Half year-Semester)