Guidelines on Calculating Student Course Workload and ECTS Credits

Guidelines on Calculating Student Course Workload and ECTS Credits

Guidelines on Calculating Student Course Workload and ECTS Credits

The ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer, based on the principle of transparency of learning, teaching and assessment processes. ECTS credits express the volume of learning based on the defined learning outcomes and their associated workload (ECTS Users' Guide). For further readings please refer to the NU Learning and Teaching Toolkit #5.

The student workload is estimated by identifying how much time is required for a typical student to achieve a given set of learning outcomes at a given level within a certain period of study. It depends on course design, teaching and learning methods, assessments, activities, resources and student abilities.

The flowchart below explains a 5-step approach to student workload at the course level:

For Steps 2 and 3 we suggest two options of workload estimation and calculations:

Option 1: Estimating workload drawn up on the basis of types of activities (hours), by weeks
Please insert the number of hours for each type of activity (where applicable). A typical course length is 15 weeks (1 semester), preparation for final assessment is captured in week 16.
Activity\ Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total
Contact hours (lectures, tutorials)
Laboratory work
Field trips (site visits, etc.)
Preparation for and taking of exams
Preparation for assignments
Preparation and follow-up work for classes
Reading materials
Other
Total
Option 2: Estimating workload drawn up on the basis of activities for each CLO (hours)

Please complete the first column with planned specific activities covering each CLO (click Add to add activities). In the second column, insert the number of hours for each activity. In the third column you will have the counted number of hours for each CLO.

Learning & Assessment Activities
(including preparation and follow-up)		 Estimated student work time for each activity (hours) Work time total for each CLO (hours)
CLO1
CLO2
CLO3
CLO4
CLO5
Total:

You may use both methods and reconcile the results.

To calculate the number of ECTS credits (Step 3) please insert the total number of ECTS hours resulting from the calculations.