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 ECTS system

ECTS system

ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

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

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

Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement is an appendix to the higher education graduates' degree certificate. The aim of the document is to clarify and increase the transparency of the knowledge, skills and competences which the degree programme graduates are supposed to possess. It also facilitates the comparability of education in the international context. All students who complete a degree at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences receive a Diploma Supplement automatically and free of charge on their graduation.

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

Assessing studies

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.

In Finland, universities of applied sciences and academic universities adopted the credit point system in 2005. The previously used to study weeks are converted to credit points by multiplying them by 1.5.

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 general information related to Seinäjoki UAS and studies.

ECTS and foreign exchanges in Europe

Students who wish to participate in a foreign exchange to a partner institution in Europe must first fill out the Student Application Form. Once a student has been accepted for the exchange, he/she must make a Learning Agreement and discuss their studies with the ECTS/international co-ordinator and head of degree programme. The ECTS coordinator(s) in Seinäjoki UAS and the students' degree programme sign the Learning Agreement, and it is sent to the partner institution for confirmation. The plan for the studies can be modified due to a change in the courses offered, for example. Students must fill out an amendment form, which is confirmed by their signature and the signature of the representatives of both institutions.

Before returning from their exchange in a foreign institution, students must request 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 co-ordinator/head of degree programme to receive recgnition for the studies completed in the foreign institution. The data is entered into the transcript system in the student's home institution. The data is entered into the transcript system in the student's home institution according to the practices in the ECTS system.

ECTS coordinators in Seinäjoki UAS

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



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