ECTS (the European Credit Transfer System ) was introduced by the European Commission to facilitate the mobility of students. One of the biggest obstacles to international student mobility always was – and still is – the lack of academic acknowledgement for modules taken abroad.

It is the intention that ECTS should make the different educational programs of different countries more compatible. A credits system aims to make a student's workload for a given module measurable.

One year’s workload is equivalent to 60 credits: a semester’s workload 30 credits. ECTS credits can also be awarded for internships, and for the preparation for the final thesis, provided these activities are part of the official study program and are subject to a final evaluation.

The Fachhochschule’s study programs are organised into weekly semester hours (Semesterwochenstunden = sws). A weekly semester hour is a weekly 45-minute teaching unit for the duration of one semester (about 15 weeks of lectures).

The average number of weekly semester hours for the Diplom-programs is between 27 and 33 sws. An sws is roughly equivalent to one ECTS credit, unless the faculties decide otherwise.
Exam results and other assessments will usually be recorded in the form of grades. As there are different grading systems throughout Europe, an ECTS evaluation system has been developed which is intended to assist universities in the transfer of grades awarded by other universities into its own grading system.

Prior to the ECTS student’s departure, the home and the host university enter into a learning agreement regarding the student’s intended studies abroad.  If the student passes all his or her exams at their host university, then recognition of the grades at the home university is certain.