ECTS ↔ US Credit Converter
Convert between European ECTS credits and US semester credit hours.
What this calculates
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) measures total student workload — lectures, homework, exams. 60 ECTS = full year, 30 = semester. US semester credit hours measure classroom contact time. Most universities use 2 ECTS ≈ 1 US credit, though ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 exist.
Formula & how it works
US credits ≈ ECTS / 2. ECTS ≈ US credits × 2. Adjust by institution: some use 1 US = 1.5 ECTS for STEM lab courses (more contact hours).
Worked example
30 ECTS semester abroad = 15 US credit hours = full-time at most US schools.
Frequently asked questions
Why the 2:1 default?
Approximate full-year equivalence (60 ECTS = 30 US credits). The Bologna Process intended 1 ECTS = 25-30 student work hours.
Will my school accept this conversion?
Always confirm with registrar — institutional policy varies. Some apply a 5% transcript adjustment for grade equivalence.
Quarter system?
1 US semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits. So 30 ECTS ≈ 22.5 quarter credits.
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