ECTS AT TU GRAZ

DEVELOPMENT OF ECTS
KEY POINTS
IMPLEMENTATION AT TU GRAZ

DEVELOPMENT OF ECTS

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) was first introduced in 1989 in the framework of Erasmus. In 1992 Austrian Universities were given the opportunity to participate in Erasmus, and Graz University of Technology decided to join the pilot project ECTS in mechanical engineering. In 1994 the Academic Senate decided to apply ECTS for all study programmes. Graz University of Technology was thus to lead the way in Austria.

• objective: at first recognition of study periods undertaken abroad
• transparency of study programmes
• based on 3 principles:
  • information about study programmes and workload
  • agreement between the institutions and the student
  • allocation of ECTS-Credits for all courses to indicate the workload of students

ECTS is subject to constant development; one major development is the change from a transfer to an accumulation system, which should be carried out on the institutional, regional, national and European level.

• ECTS as European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
• By introducing an accumulation system one key point of the Bologna process was taken into consideration: valuable skills and competences acquired outside higher education institutions shall be allocated ECTS-Credits and recognised in the framework of study programmes (Lifelong Learning).

KEY POINTS

• Allocation of ECTS-Credits for all courses, modules, internships, the thesis, and the dissertation. The allocation of credits is based on workload and learning outcomes.
  workload per semester: 30 ECTS-Credits (1 ECTS-Credit equals the workload of 25 hours)
  workload per year: 60 ECTS-Credits

• Information Package
  - general information
  - academic information (qualification profile, curricula, semester plans, course descriptions, etc.)
  - information about academic and administrative matters

• Learning Agreement
  - part of the ECTS application form for Erasmus exchange
  - lists courses that the student is planning on completing at the receiving institution
  - signed by the student and the coordinators of home and receiving institution
  - contract between student, home and receiving institution

• Transcript of Records
  - overview of the entire performance of student
  - facilitates integration of student at the receiving institution
  - proof of performance undertaken at the host institution

• ECTS Institutional Coordinator
  - ensures correct implementation of ECTS principles and mechanisms within the context of transfer and accumulation of credits
  - supports departmental coordinators
  - provides information

• ECTS Departmental Coordinator for every field of study
  - contact person for students and teaching staff
  - offers hands-on information about ECTS
  - clarifies methods and documents for academic recognition
  - informs colleagues about ECTS in general and the allocation of credits
  - offers support when new curricula are developed
  - ensures that the study programmes follow ECTS principles and mechanisms

• ECTS for Lifelong Learning for the recognition of skills and competences acquired outside higher education institutions

Why ECTS?

• makes studies more transparent
• facilitates the arranging of study programmes for studying abroad
• provides hands-on information about home and receiving institution
• facilitates comparability of study programmes
• student-centred model

IMPLEMENTATION OF ECTS AT TU GRAZ

What has been achieved so far?

• nomination of ECTS Coordinators
• allocation of ECTS-Credits for all courses offered at Graz University of Technology
• Information Package/Course Catalogue:
  - course descriptions in both German and English
  - updated twice a year
  - a general information brochure is printed once a year as well as constantly updated on the web
• use of ECTS application forms (including Learning Agreement and Transcript of Records) for incoming and outgoing students
• Transcript of Records in both German and English
• Diploma Supplement
  • goal is to collect data to facilitate international transparency and academic and vocational recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates)
  • description of nature, level, context, content, and status of a study programme
  • issued since academic year 2004/05 (on request)