ECTS and Diploma Supplement
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, ECTS
The purpose of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, ECTS is to improve comparability of credits and grades between different educational systems. The recognition of studies and grades is a prerequisite for the free mobility of students. ECTS provides an instrument to evaluate the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly accepted measurements, and it also provides a basis for interpretation of national systems of higher education. Full academic recognition is necessary for student mobility in the framework of the LLP/Erasmus programmes.
The ECTS is based on the following elements:
- information on study programmes which is given in the course catalogue (Study Guide)
- contracts between the partner institutions and the student
- ECTS credits which indicate student workload
Forms
The student application form (see attachments on the right side of the page) is filled in by the students when he/she intends to study in a foreign host institution. When the three parties involved (the student, the home institution and the host institution) agree about the study programme abroad, they sign a Learning Agreement attached to the application form. This agreement, which describes the scope of study abroad, must be signed before the student leaves for the host institution. Credit transfer in ECTS operates by means of exchange of Transcript of Records between home and host institutions, before and after the exchange period.
Definition of credit units and study weeks
ECTS credits are a numerical value allocated to course or study units to describe the student workload. They reflect the total quantity of work including lectures, seminars, tutorials, private study, examinations etc. and they are not limited to contact hours only. The workload for an academic year carries 60 credits.
Grading system
ECTS-grades
A EXCELLENT (best 10 %)
B VERY GOOD (next 25 %)
C GOOD (next 30 %)
D SATISFACTORY (next 25 %)
E SUFFICIENT (next 10 %)
FX FAIL (some more work required)
F FAIL (considerable further work required)
In Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences like in other Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, the Finnish grading scale is used:
5 Excellent
4 Good
3 Good
2 Satisfactory
1 Satisfactory
0 Failed
The institutional ECTS coordinators of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences are Mr Päivö Laine and Ms Helli Kitinoja and every school has also its own departmental ECTS-coordinator.
Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement is a document that provides a standardised description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies completed at the polytechnic. The Diploma Supplement, which is based on a European template and issued in English, is attached to the polytechnic degree certificate. It also contains an overview of the educational system in Finland . The purpose of the Diploma Supplement is to enhance transparency and to facilitate academic and professional recognition of qualifications. All students who complete a degree at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences obtain a Diploma Supplement- free of charge- on their graduation. As an attachment on the right side of this page you can see an example of a Diploma Supplement.