Updated on Dec, 01 2025 03:59 IST
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
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European credit/balance transfer system is known as ECTS the full form is European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It is a kind of credit system which is designed for international students to make their transactions easier among various Nations. Hence, these are based upon the learning accomplishments and efficiency of MBBS course, the students may transfer their ECTS points from their medical school or university to other colleges or university so they can add the contribution to an individual’s MBBS degree program. ECTS assists MBBS students to make their MBBS education more student-centric. It’s a principal tool when it comes to the Bologna Process, that focuses to create national fund transfer systems more appropriate. ECTS also helps with the planning, delivery, and evaluation of study programmes, and makes them more transparent.
ECTS credits signify the load or stress of courses of study and elaborate the learning results (“what the MBBS graduate understands and is capable to perform”) of a given MBBS program. If an MBBS student acquires 60 credits then it is equivalent to the complete year of work. In an average medical year, 60 credits usually divided into smaller modules. A classic “first cycle” (or MBBS) Degree, contains 180 – 240 credits, whereas a Master’s (MD/MS) Degree, contains 90 – 120 credits, having minimum 60 credits at master’s degree. The importance of ECTS at the Ph.D. level differs. ECTS is famous and accepted in several countries in the European Union for higher education, whereas, (EHEA), and is progressively used in other countries.
A student can study Masters in one European country and Bachelors in another.
It will be easy to get a job in any European union since makes your MBBS study recognised.
It will easy to estimate the complications of internship, seminar etc based on the credits you get on course completion.
It simplifies the academic documentation.
Less discrimination between students outside country and local students in colleges.
If a student is thinking to drop out, then credits will help in improving the academic achievements, so there is no need to enrol in the same courses over and over again.
A student needs to complete 60 credits per year, which means around 1800 hours of study. Credits worth for Bachelors and Masters are given below:
Bachelor’s degree 180-240 credits
Master’s degree 60-120 credits
PhD degree no credits
Transcripts are being prepared consisting the record of a student who is Participating in this system. A duplicate of the transcript is given to the candidate also which is exchanged between the host and home institution after the completion of course in abroad.
List of countries following ECTS
United Kingdom
Germany
Netherlands
Spain
France
Ireland
Sweden
So, the credits depend on different countries. Not every country creates the credits equally. Depending upon a country one ECTS credit could be equal to 25-30 hours. For example:
Austria, Italy, and Spain – 1 ECTS = 25 study hours;
Finland – 1 ECTS = 27 study hours;
The Netherlands, Portugal – 1 ECTS = 28 study hours;
Germany, Belgium, Romania, and Hungary – 1 ECTS = 30 study hours
| Classification | Abbreviation | Final Award Mark |
|---|---|---|
| First Class Honours | I | 70% – 100% |
| Upper Second Class Honours | II (1) | 60 – 69% |
| Lower Second Class Honours | II (2) | 50% – 59% |
| Third Class Honours | III | 40% – 49% |
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