French Credit Transfer Calculator

Calculate ECTS Credits for French Higher Education (LMD System)

ECTS Credit Calculator

Calculate Credits from Study Hours

Total Study Hours per Semester:

Enter total hours including lectures, assignments, and study time

Quick ECTS Reference

Study Hours	ECTS Credits	Period
25-30 hours	1 ECTS	One course module
750-900 hours	30 ECTS	One semester
1,500-1,800 hours	60 ECTS	One academic year
4,500-5,400 hours	180 ECTS	Licence (3 years)

Understanding the French Credit System (ECTS)

France uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), a standardized framework for measuring student workload across European higher education institutions. ECTS facilitates student mobility, credit transfer between universities, and recognition of academic achievements across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

In the French system, 1 ECTS credit represents 25-30 hours of total student work, including contact hours (lectures, seminars, labs), independent study, assignment preparation, exam preparation, and assessments. One academic year equals 60 ECTS credits, typically divided into two semesters of 30 credits each, representing approximately 1,500-1,800 hours of total work annually.

French higher education follows the LMD structure (Licence-Master-Doctorat), aligned with the Bologna Process. Each degree level requires specific ECTS totals: Licence (Bachelor's) requires 180 credits over 6 semesters, Master requires 120 additional credits over 4 semesters (300 total), and Doctorat (PhD) is accessible after accumulating 300 ECTS through Licence and Master.

French LMD System ECTS Requirements

Degree Level	ECTS Required	Duration	Total Hours
Licence (Bachelor's)	180	3 years (6 semesters)	4,500-5,400 hrs
Master (M1 + M2)	120	2 years (4 semesters)	3,000-3,600 hrs
Master 1 (M1) Only	60	1 year (2 semesters)	1,500-1,800 hrs
Doctorat (PhD)	180+	3+ years (variable)	Variable
Licence + Master Total	300	5 years (10 semesters)	7,500-9,000 hrs

ECTS Calculation Formula

To calculate ECTS credits from total study hours:

ECTS Credits = Total Study Hours 25-30

Example: 750 hours ÷ 25 = 30 ECTS (one semester)

Understanding UE (Unités d'Enseignement)

Teaching Units in French Universities

French universities organize courses into UE (Unités d'Enseignement) or Teaching Units. Each UE carries a specific number of ECTS credits based on its workload. A typical semester includes 4-6 UE totaling 30 ECTS credits. UE can be mandatory (obligatoires) or elective (optionnelles), allowing students to personalize their academic path while meeting degree requirements.

UE Type	Typical ECTS	Description
Small UE	3	Short course or language module
Standard UE	6	Typical course module
Large UE	9-12	Major subject or intensive course
Internship/Thesis UE	15-30	Professional experience or research

Important Note: Students must validate (pass) all required UE to receive ECTS credits. Failed UE must be retaken. Successful completion of 30 ECTS validates a semester.

Important Facts About French Credit Transfer

30 ECTS per Semester Standard

French universities consistently award 30 ECTS credits per semester for full-time study, totaling 60 ECTS per academic year. This standardization applies across all French institutions and facilitates credit transfer within France and across Europe. Part-time students may take fewer credits per semester, extending their degree timeline, but each completed semester-equivalent work still awards 30 ECTS.

ECTS Credits ≠ Grades

ECTS credits measure workload, not performance quality. You receive the same number of credits whether you achieve 20/20 or barely pass with 10/20. Credits quantify the time investment required for successful course completion, while grades (on the 0-20 scale) assess the quality of your work. Both appear on transcripts but serve different purposes in academic evaluation.

Credits Transfer Within Europe

French ECTS credits are directly transferable to other European universities participating in the Bologna Process. Students studying abroad through programs like Erasmus+ earn ECTS at host institutions that count toward their French degree. Conversely, French students' ECTS earned domestically are recognized across Europe, facilitating international mobility and degree completion across multiple institutions.

Master Split: M1 and M2

Unlike many countries, France divides the Master's degree into two distinct years: M1 (Master 1) and M2 (Master 2). Each awards 60 ECTS (120 total for full Master). M1 provides foundational advanced knowledge, while M2 offers specialization. Students can exit after M1 with 240 total ECTS (Licence + M1), though this doesn't confer a complete Master degree. Admission to M2 isn't automatic—competitive M2 programs may require separate applications.

Alternative French Credentials

Beyond the standard LMD system, France offers specialized credentials with different ECTS structures. DUT (Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie) awards 120 ECTS over 2 years. BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) also awards 120 ECTS over 2 years. Grandes Écoles engineering programs (diplôme d'ingénieur) typically award 300 ECTS over 5 years, equivalent to Licence + Master combined.

Converting to US Credits

When transferring to American universities, 2 ECTS credits typically equal 1 US semester credit hour. Therefore, 30 ECTS (one French semester) converts to approximately 15 US credits, and 60 ECTS (one French year) equals approximately 30 US credits. However, individual US institutions may use slightly different conversion ratios. Always confirm with the receiving institution's international office for their specific policy.

Tips for Managing ECTS Credits in France

Target 30 ECTS per semester: Full-time study in France requires 30 ECTS credits each semester to stay on track for degree completion.
Track cumulative ECTS: Monitor your total accumulated credits across all semesters to ensure you're progressing toward degree requirements (180 for Licence, 300 for Master).
Understand UE validation: You must pass all components of a UE to receive its credits. Partial completion doesn't award partial credits.
Plan Erasmus exchanges carefully: When studying abroad, ensure your Learning Agreement specifies courses totaling 30 ECTS to validate the semester.
Check prerequisite ECTS: Some advanced courses require minimum accumulated ECTS (e.g., M2 programs may require all 180 Licence + 60 M1 credits).
Distinguish mandatory vs. elective UE: Your program specifies required ECTS from mandatory UE (UE obligatoires) and elective UE (UE optionnelles).
Failed UE strategies: If you fail a UE, you must retake it to earn those credits. Some programs allow compensation if overall semester average passes 10/20.
Request official transcripts: French universities issue "relevé de notes" showing all UE, grades, and ECTS earned—essential for transfers and applications.
Verify credit transfer agreements: Before international mobility, confirm bilateral agreements between your home and host institutions regarding credit recognition.
Graduate program applications: When applying to programs outside France, provide both ECTS credits and French grades (0-20 scale) for proper evaluation.