How are ECTS calculated if my university does not use the ECTS system?

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How are ECTS calculated if my university does not use the ECTS system?

If your university does not use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), conversion is typically based on either student workload or academic year equivalency. Below are two common methods:

  1. Workload-Based Conversion
    • General rule: 1 ECTS = 30 hours of student workload
    • Example: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
    • Course: Fundamentos de Economía, Credits awarded: 10 créditos UC
    • 1 crédito UC = 1 hour of work per week over 18 weeks
    • Total workload: 10 créditos × 18 hours = 180 hours
    • Therefore: 180 hours ÷ 30 = 6 ECTS => 10 créditos UC = 6 ECTS
  2. Academic Year Equivalency
    • General rule: 60 ECTS = 1 full-time academic year
    • Example: Universidad de Chile
    • Program: Ingeniería Comercial
    • Duration: 5 academic years
    • Total credits: 300 SCT-Chile (SCT = Sistema de Créditos Transferibles)
    • Since 60 ECTS = 1 academic year, the full program corresponds to: 5 years × 60 ECTS = 300 ECTS
    • Therefore: 300 SCT-Chile = 300 ECTS => 1 SCT-Chile credit = 1 ECTS

Important
Whenever possible, please provide an official letter or document explaining your home institution’s credit system. This helps ensure accurate conversion.

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