ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)

The ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a system providing a common measure facilitating the transfer of students and their grades between European Higher Education Institutions, by allowing national and local grading systems to be interchangeable. It is based on the student and the transparence of his results and learning process.

ECTS credits are calculated on the workload required to achieve the expected learning goals.

60 ECTS credits correspond to the workload of an academic year in a formal context. In the vast majority of the European countries, the annual workload is between 1,500 and 1,800 hours; therefore, a credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of work.

As regards the European University Educational Credits (CFU), 1 local credit is equivalent to 1 ECTS credit: 1 CFU =1 ECTS.

Credits are given either for entire study courses or for single educational units which are parts of the study course (e.g. subjects, traineeships, thesis preparation, laboratory activities).

Credits are given at the conclusion of the learning activities. 

Credits obtained in a study course can be trasferred to another study course. This procedure can be done only if the institution issuing the title recognises the credits and their related learning results. Those institutions participating in bilateral agreements should ensure the recognition of the study period abroad before the student’s departure.

The receiving institutions then convert the ECTS grade to their own system.The ECTS scale allows the transfer of the marks only between Universities and Institutions joining the European Space for Higher Education. 

Italian Grade	ECTS Grade	Definition
30 e lode	A	EXCELLENT: Remarkable results, only a few minor weaknesses
30	A	EXCELLENT: Remarkable results, only a few minor weaknesses
29	B	VERY GOOD: Above average result in spite of a few weaknesses
28	B	VERY GOOD: Above average result in spite of a few weaknesses
27	B	VERY GOOD: Above average result in spite of a few weaknesses
26	C	GOOD: Quite good work, with notable weaknesses
25	C	GOOD: Quite good work, with notable weaknesses
24	C	GOOD: Quite good work, with notable weaknesses
23	D	SATISFACTORY: A good effort, but with important weaknesses
22	D	SATISFACTORY: A good effort, but with important weaknesses
21	D	SATISFACTORY: A good effort, but with important weaknesses
20	E	PASSING: Meets minimum requirements
19	E	PASSING: Meets minimum requirements
18	E	PASSING: Meets minimum requirements
17	F	INSUFFICIENT: More work is needed for credit to be granted