German Credit Transfer Calculator
Convert Study Hours to ECTS Credits for German Universities
ECTS Credit Calculator
Calculate ECTS Credits from Study Hours
Hours per week spent in lectures and tutorials
Hours per week for self-study, assignments, and exam preparation
Typical German semester is 14-15 weeks
ECTS Calculation Formula
Where:
Total Study Hours = (Contact Hours + Self-Study Hours) × Semester Weeks
1 ECTS Credit = 30 hours of student workload
Understanding the German Credit System (ECTS)
Germany uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to measure student workload and facilitate academic mobility across European universities. ECTS credits (also called Leistungspunkte or Credit Points in German) represent the total time investment required for a course, including lectures, tutorials, self-study, assignments, and exam preparation.
The system is based on the principle that one ECTS credit equals 30 hours of student workload. A full-time academic year requires 60 ECTS credits, equivalent to approximately 1,800 hours of total study time (30 hours × 60 credits). This standardization ensures that academic achievements are comparable and transferable between German universities and other institutions across the European Higher Education Area.
In Germany, ECTS credits are separate from grades—you receive credits for completing coursework regardless of your grade, as long as you pass. However, failing a course means you don't earn its credits and must retake it. German universities typically award 30 ECTS credits per semester, with students completing 180 ECTS for a 3-year Bachelor's degree or 120 ECTS for a 2-year Master's degree.
ECTS Requirements for German Degrees
Standard Rule: German universities award 30 ECTS credits per semester. A full academic year always equals 60 ECTS credits, regardless of the degree level or field of study.
Typical Module ECTS Values
Common Course Types and ECTS
German universities structure modules with standardized ECTS values based on workload. Understanding these standard values helps students plan their semester course load and ensure they meet the 30 ECTS per semester requirement.
Planning Tip: To meet the 30 ECTS per semester requirement, students typically take 4-6 courses. For example: three 5-ECTS lectures, two 5-ECTS seminars, and one 5-ECTS lab course = 30 ECTS total.
Important Facts About German Credit Transfer
ECTS vs Credit Points vs Leistungspunkte
In Germany, the terms ECTS, Credit Points, and Leistungspunkte are completely interchangeable—they all refer to the same standardized credit system. You'll see all three terms used across different German universities, departments, and documents. Some institutions prefer "Leistungspunkte" (LP), others use "Credit Points" (CP), and many use "ECTS" to emphasize European compatibility. All measure workload identically: 1 credit = 30 hours of total study time.
30 Hours per Credit Standard
The 30-hour per ECTS credit standard is universally applied across German universities. Some institutions or documents may reference 25-28 hours, but 30 hours is the official German and European standard. This includes all forms of learning: contact hours (lectures, seminars, labs), self-study time, assignment preparation, exam preparation, and the exam itself. The calculation is based on what an average student needs to successfully complete the course.
Credits ≠ Grades
ECTS credits measure workload, not performance quality. You earn the same 5 ECTS credits whether you get a 1.0 (excellent) or a 4.0 (barely passing) grade, as long as you pass the course. Grades (1.0-5.0 scale) assess the quality of your work, while credits quantify the time investment. Both appear on your transcript, but serve different purposes: credits track degree progress, while grades calculate your GPA.
Converting Foreign Credits to ECTS
When converting credits from non-European systems to ECTS, German universities use workload-based formulas. For example, if your Bachelor's degree required 120 credits over 4 years, and you took a 3-credit course, the ECTS conversion would be: ECTS = 3 × (60 × 4) / 120 = 6 ECTS. The formula accounts for total degree credits and duration to ensure accurate workload equivalence.
Minimum ECTS Requirements Matter
Many German Master's programs require minimum ECTS in specific subject areas from your Bachelor's degree. For example, a Computer Science Master's might require 180 total ECTS (full 3-year Bachelor's) plus at least 60 ECTS specifically in CS-related subjects. If you're short on subject-specific ECTS, you may need to complete "Auflagen" (additional courses) before or during your Master's program.
Transfer Credits for Study Abroad
German students studying abroad (Erasmus, exchange programs) need to earn equivalent ECTS credits for the semester to count toward their degree. If studying one semester abroad, you should earn 30 ECTS at the host institution. Your home German university's international office pre-approves courses through a "Learning Agreement" to ensure credits transfer properly. Upon return, your foreign credits appear on your German transcript converted to ECTS.
Tips for International Students
- Check ECTS requirements early: Before applying to German universities, verify total ECTS requirements and subject-specific ECTS minimums for your intended program.
- Calculate accurately from your system: Use the workload formula to convert your home country's credits to ECTS. Consider total degree hours, not just credit numbers.
- Plan 30 ECTS per semester: Full-time study in Germany means 30 ECTS credits per semester. Taking fewer (20-25 ECTS) extends your degree duration and may affect visa requirements.
- Understand module structure: German degrees are organized into modules (typically 5-10 ECTS each), not individual courses. Complete all parts of a module to receive its credits.
- Track cumulative ECTS: Monitor your total earned ECTS across all semesters to ensure you're on track for degree completion (180 for Bachelor's, 120 for Master's).
- Credits don't expire: ECTS credits earned at German universities generally remain valid indefinitely, though specific program requirements may have time limits.
- Get pre-approval for transfers: If planning study abroad or university transfer, get written pre-approval that your credits will be recognized before enrolling in courses.
- Failing means no credits: Unlike some systems where partial credit is awarded, German universities give 0 ECTS for failed courses. You must retake to earn the credits.
- Some credits are mandatory: Your degree program specifies required modules (Pflichtmodule) and elective modules (Wahlmodule). You need specific ECTS from each category.
- Use uni-assist for evaluation: For complex credit conversions or multiple qualifications, uni-assist provides official evaluation services recognized by German universities.
About the Author
Adam
Co-Founder @ RevisionTown
Math Expert specializing in various curricula including IB, AP, GCSE, IGCSE, and more