The purpose of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, ECTS is to improve the transparency and recognition of credits and grades between different educational systems in Europe. The system facilitates the transfer of learning experiences, exchange programmes and the creation of joint degrees.

ECTS was originally developed to facilitate the transfer of credits when students completed studies in foreign institutions of higher education (transnational and international student mobility). Nowadays, ECTS is a student-oriented accumulation and transfer system for completed studies and grades. The system is based on the amount of work a student has to complete, i.e. the academic workload, in relation to the objectives to be achieved. The objectives are indicated as learning outcomes and competences.

Workload and ECTS Credits

Studies are measured in credit points. One academic year of full-time study is equivalent to 60 credits points. This amount of work includes all of the work required of students, such as lectures, seminars, independent study, projects, preparation for exams, etc. To receive one credit point, students must work an average of 27 hours.

Grading System

In Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences like in other Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, the Finnish grading scale is used:

5 = Excellent
4 and 3 = Good
2 and 1 = Satisfactory
H = Passed
S = Completed

Grades awarded according to other grading systems can be converted in accordance with the principles set out in the ECTS User´s Guide.

Study Guide

Seinäjoki UAS publishes yearly a Study Guide (course catalogue) with descriptions of degree programmes, study modules and courses, as instructed by the ECTS User's Guide. The Study Guide also includes information on the Seinäjoki UAS and general information for students.

ECTS and Student Mobility

Students who wish to participate in student mobility in a partner institution must first fill out the Student Application Form. Once a student has been accepted for the mobility period, he/she must make a Learning Agreement/Training Agreement and Quality Commitment and discuss his/her studies with the departmental ECTS/international co-ordinator and head of degree programme. In addition to the student the institutional and departmental ECTS coordinators sign the Learning Agreement/Training Agreement, which is sent together with the Transcript of Records to the partner institution for confirmation. The plan for the studies can be modified if there is a change in the courses offered, for example. Students must fill out an amendment form, which is confirmed by their signature and the signatures of the ECTS-coordinators of both institutions.

Before returning from their mobility period in a foreign institution, students have to ask a certificate concerning studies or internship abroad and they also receive a Transcript of Records, which contains the completed courses, grades and accrued credit points according to the practices in the foreign institution and the ECTS system. Once a student has returned, he/she gives the Transcript of Records to the international coordinator/head of degree programme to receive recognition for the studies completed in the foreign institution. Credits and grades which have been converted to the Finnish system are entered into the transcript system in the student's home institution.

ECTS coordinators in Seinäjoki UAS

Päivö Laine, Head of Programme, and Helli Kitinoja, Manager of International Affairs, function as the Institutional ECTS Coordinators at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The coordinators for international affairs in the Schools of Seinäjoki UAS function as Departmental ECTS Coordinators for foreign exchanges. They also provide more detailed information about the ECTS system and the related forms.

Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement is a document that provides a standardised description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies completed. The Diploma Supplement, which is based on a European template and issued in English, is attached to the degree certificate. It also contains an overview of the educational system in Finland. The purpose of the Diploma Supplement is to enhance transparency and to facilitate academic and professional recognition of qualifications. All students who complete a degree at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences obtain a Diploma Supplement, which includes Transcript of Records - in English language and free of charge - automatically on their graduation.

In 2010, Seinäjoki UAS was awarded with Diploma Supplement Label for good compliance with the Diploma Supplement practices.

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