ECTS credit allocation based on student workload needed in order to achieve expected learning outcomes

Vice-rector's guidelines for the ECTS credits allocation procedure

The guidelines were published in relation to Article 5, sections 2 and 3 of the Study and Examination plan of the University of Pardubice. The purpose is to provide for a correct ECTS credits allocation and for harmonization of the procedure at the University so that it corresponds to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) principles.

1. ECTS credits, study load and learning outcomes

1. ECTS credits have two essential functions: a) transferability (standardized way of credits determination enables their transfer among universities where students complete individual courses b) accumulation (standardized way of credits determination enables the accumulation of individual course credits within a study programme or a study branch with the aim to provide for a quantitative assessment of study duties completion, which is a standard of 60 ECTS credits/year.

2. ECTS credits are based on the scope of a study load required for the completion of the identified learning outcomes.

3. Learning outcomes describe a student´s achievements, knowledge, understandings and abilities after the course completion . Learning outcomes are identified according to the study programme level (Bachelor, Master, PhD) in relation to the descriptors contained in the European Qualification Framework (level 6 = Bachelor study programmes ; level 7 = Master study programmes; cycle 3 = PhD programmes).

4. Study load includes all the learning-based activities aimed at the achievement of the assumed learning outcomes. These are namely lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent work, laboratory sessions, individual projects, case studies, seminary work, self-study and preparation for exams. On contrary, the study load is not influenced by the type of study (Bachelor, Master, PhD), the course type (compulsory, optional, compulsory-elective), the course significance or by the intensity of direct teacher-student interaction.    

5. The average standard study load time value per a study year of 1500 to 1800 hours has been indicated within ECTS. One ECTS credit corresponds to 25-30 hours at 60 ECTS credits per an academic year.

1. ECTS credits allocation procedure

1. The ECTS credits allocation procedure is carried out in three basic stages:

1. in the preparation of a standard study plan within a new study programme/study branch) accreditation* procedure,

2. in the integration of essential course innovations and a standard study plan at a study programme/study branch re-accreditation,

3. in the integration of partial course innovations, while preparing a new academic year.

1. In a new study programme/study branch accreditation procedure, a standard study plan is compiled so that the overall study load represents 60 ECTS credits (1500-1800 hours) proportionally distributed into two semesters, i.e. 30 credits per a semester.

(2) For each course included in a study programme, the following are determined:

1. course objectives and learning outcomes;

2. activities aiming at the achievement of the outcomes;

3. time requirements for these activities;

4. the number of ECTS credits in relation to the time requirements.

1. Substantial innovations of the courses and study plans are dealt with within a study programme/study branch re-accreditation. The procedure is similar to that of a study programme/study branch accreditation.

2. If partial innovations are carried out within the new academic year preparation in terms of study courses/study plans, that partially alter the assumed learning outcomes, or if the activities to achieve the same are changed, it has to be reported in the description of ECTS credits allocation.

3. If any alterations indicated in section 4 result in the time requirements alteration –study load, such alterations must be reflected in the number of ECTS credits allocated to a given course.

4. Description of allocated ECTS credits according to individual components is entered into the IS STAG in the "course programme" section

5. Alterations of the courses, including alterations of credits allocation, including their number, are dealt with within the internal approval procedure in preparation of an academic year schedule. If an alteration of the ECTS credits allocation is approved, such alteration must be also recorded in the IS STAG.

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* Accreditation, or re-accreditation is understood as an accreditation by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports based on the recommendation of the Government Accreditation Board.