Workshop
“Applying for ECTS/DS
Label”
Bologna Experts Seminar
Tallinn, 7-9 June 2010
ECTS Label Application
Section 1 – Identification
To be filled in appropriately
and in all its parts
Section 2Documents Required(1)
2.1 Information Package/Course Catalogue
- Information Package/Course Catalogue, of the applicant institution describing :
all the items in the ECTS Key Features checklist for all first and second cycle
degree programmes offered
other information concerning the applicant institution, to be found via menus on
the following web pages:
- In English (compulsory)
Information on the institution:
http://
Information on degree programmes:
http://
General information for students:
http://
- In the regional/national language (optional)
It is optional for the applicant institution to provide the link to its web site in
the regional/national language, containing the information package/course
catalogue:
http:///
- confirmation that the info includes description of recognition procedures and
procedures for the credit allocation based on student workload in order to
achieve the expected learning outcomes.
Section 2
- Documents Required(2)
2.2 Complete ECTS files concerning 3
outgoing students
-Three certified copies (signed, stamped
and dated)
-Recognized credits should be equal to
those earned by the student
Section 2
- Documents Required(3)
Each of the 3 certified files consists of
copies of:
-Transcript of Records (before departure)
-Learning Agreement (with changes if any)
-Transcript of Records (after the mobility
period)
-Proof of academic recognition
Section 2
- Documents Required(4)
2.3 Three complete ECTS files
concerning three incoming students
(signed, stamped and dated).
Each of the 3 certified files consists
of copies of:
-Learning Agreement (with agreed
changes, if any)
-Transcript of Records provided after
the mobility period
Section 3 - Declaration
To be completed by the legally
authorized person to sign on behalf
of the applicant institution
(signed, stamped, dated)
Annexes to be consulted
•Annex 1: ECTS Key Features 2009
•Annex 2: Checklist for the Information Package/Course Catalogue
•Annex 3: Common pitfalls
Also: Frequently Asked Questions at:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/erasmus/erasmus_ects_ds_en.php
Information Package/Course Catalogue
Part 1: Information on the institution (a):
- name and address
- academic calendar
- academic authorities
- general description of the institution
(including type and status)
Part 1: Information on the institution
(b):
- list of programmes offered
- general admission requirements
-general arrangements for the recognition of prior
learning
(formal, informal and non-formal)
- general registration procedures
Part 1: Information on the
institution (c):
-ECTS credit allocation based on the
student workload needed in order to
achieve expected learning outcomes
- arrangements for academic guidance.
Part 2: Information
on programmes
General description :
- qualification awarded
-level of qualification
-specific admission requirements
-specific arrangements for recognition of
prior learning
(formal, non-formal and informal)
General description (cont/d)
- qualification requirements and
regulations
- profile of the programme
- key learning outcomes
- occupational profiles of graduates with
examples
- access to further studies
General description (cont/d)
- course structure diagram with credits
(60 per full-time academic year)
- examination regulations, assessment
and grading
- graduation requirements
- mode of study
(full-time, part-time, e-learning...),
- programme director or equivalent.
Description
of individual course units:
- course unit title
- course unit code
- type of course unit (compulsory, optional)
- level of course unit (e.g. first, second or
third cycle; sub-level if applicable)
- year of study (if applicable)
- semester/trimester when the course unit is
delivered
Description of individual
course units (cont/d):
-
number of ECTS credits allocated
name of lecturer(s)
learning outcomes of the course unit
mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance
learning)
- prerequisites and co-requisites
- recommended optional programme
components
- course contents
Description of individual course units
(cont/d)
- recommended or required reading
- planned learning activities and teaching
methods
- assessment methods and criteria
- language of instruction
- work placement(s)
Part 3:
General information for students:
- cost of living
- accommodation
- meals
- medical facilities
- facilities for special abilities students
- insurance
- financial support for students
- student affairs office
Part 3: General information
for students (cont/d):
-
learning facilities
international programmes
practical information for mobile students
language courses
internships
sports and leisure facilities
student associations
Course Structure Diagram with credits (30 per semester),
First Cycle Degree Programme with 180 ECTS credits
- An example First semester
BA
BA
BA
BA
BA
133
167
145
139
151
Microeconomics
Principles of Accounting
Business Law
Macroeconomics
Business English
Total
ECTS credits
8
6
5
8
3
30
Second semester
ECTS credits
BA
BA
BA
BA
BA
234
256
244
288
262
Business Mathematics
Principles of Management
Business Informatics
International Economics
International Marketing
Total
6
5
6
8
5
30
Course Structure Diagram with credits
(30 per semester) – An example
(cont/d)
Third semester
a)Compulsory courses
BA 351 Business Policy
BA 329 Cost Accounting
BA 355 Strategy
BA 377 Corporate Finance
b) One elective from the following two electives:
BA 323 Human Resource Management
BA 367 Organizational Behaviour
ECTS credits
6
8
5
7
4
4
Total
30
Course Structure Diagram with credits
(30 per semester) – An example
(cont/d)
Fourth semester
a)Compulsory courses
Course code and title
Course code and title
Course code and title
Course code and title
ECTS credits
6
8
5
7
b) One elective from the following two electives:
Course code and title
4
Course code and title
4
Total
30
Course Structure Diagram with credits
(30 per semester) – An example
(cont/d)
Fifth semester
ECTS credits
a)Compulsory courses
Course code and title
6
Course code and title
8
Course code and title
5
Course code and title
7
b) One elective from the following two electives:
Course code and title
4
Course code and title
4
Total
30
Course Structure Diagram with credits
(30 per semester) – An example
(cont/d)
Sixth semester
a)Compulsory courses: - Course code and title
- Course code and title
- Course code and title
b) Two electives from the following three electives:
- Course code and title
- Course code and title
- Course code and title
Total
ECTS credits
6
7
5
Total number of credits of the programme: 180 ECTS
6
6
6
30
Common pitfalls(1)
-Confirmation boxes are not ticked
in the application form
-Course structure diagram not presented
with ECTS credits per programme and with
clear description of credit distribution per
semester
Common pitfalls(2)
Information Package/Course Catalogue
1.- Not entirely provided in English
2.- Not easily traceable on the website
3.- Not complete information
4.- Missing information in degree programmes
description
5.- Credits are not 20 per trimester, 30 per
semester and 60 per year.
Common pitfalls(3)
6.- The number of credits appears in
each course but it is not clarified if
they are ECTS or national
7.- Some courses are not allocated credits though
they are included in the program
8.- Missing or incomplete description of the
recognition procedures
Common pitfalls(4)
9.- The credit allocation methodology
(including calculation of ECTS credits based on
student workload) is NOT described or
NOT based on learning outcomes
10.- Lack of clear explanation of institutional
method for ECTS credit allocation and how it is
linked to learning outcomes and student
workload
Common pitfalls (5)
11.- Course structure diagram
-does not specify semester and type of course
units,
-information is hard to trace, inadequate and not
transparent,
-ECTS credit allocation is not consistent with ECTS
rules
Common pitfalls (6)
- Course structure diagram does not
present 30 ECTS credits for each semester,
the ECTS rules are not followed
(e.g. one degree ends with 225 credits
instead of 240)
- Missing information in course catalogue
(e.g. examination regulations, assessment,
grading)
Common pitfalls(5)
Student Files
1.- Not certified copies
2.- Missing: dates and signatures of the
student and coordinators
3.- Missing explanation of the local grading
system
4.- Students have been awarded credits
without having succeeded in the exams
Common pitfalls(6)
5.- Missing local grades and/or ECTS credits
6.- Inconsistency between the Learning Agreement
and the Proof of Recognition
7.- Learning Agreements not in place before
the start of the exchange period
8.- The number of credits recognized is higher or
lower than earned by the student.
Common pitfalls(7)
9. No indication of length of stay
-in host institutions
(for outgoing students)
-in applicant institutions
(for incoming students)
ECTS USERS’ GUIDE
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learningpolicy/doc/ects/guide_en.pdf
Information on ECTS:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learningpolicy/doc48_en.htm
DS Label Application
Section 1 – Identification
To be filled in appropriately and
in all its parts
Section 2
– Documents required
2.1. Examples of DS issued
-DS should respect the checklist of Annex 1 and
the explanatory notes of Annex 2
-They should be certified copies (anonymised,
signed, stamped and dated)
-NO ORIGINALS
Four in total examples of DS issued
DS must be provided for:
1.- Two students in different subject areas after
completion of their first cycle studies
AND
2.- Two students in different subject areas after
completion of their second cycle studies
OR
One student after completion of his or her
second cycle studies and one student after
completion of his or her third cycle studies.
2.2 Confirmation
1.- DS copies comply with the DS model
and explanatory notes (Annexes 1 and 2)
2.- All students receive DS automatically, free of
charge upon graduation
3.- DS issued in a widely spoken European
language, and, if so wished, in another language
4.- All DS examples submitted are certified copies
of original DS issued to students who graduated
2.3 Public Information
on the DS
Web pages of the institution
-where it is stated that the DS is issued
in a widely spoken European language,
awarded automatically and free of charge to
each student
-Including a completed DS example (anonymised)
Section 3 - Declaration
To be completed by the legally authorized person
to sign on behalf of the applicant institution
(signed, stamped, dated)
Annexes to be consulted
Annex 1: DS Model Checklist
Annex 2: Explanatory notes to the DS
Annex 3: Common pitfalls
Common pitfalls(1)
Not ticked confirmation boxes
The DS does not follow the official
model (sections and sub-sections
missing or modified or added)
Incomplete or not transparent information
The number of DS submitted is lower than
required
Common pitfalls(2)
Though the institution offers 1st and
2nd cycle studies only one cycle is represented in
the DS submitted
In the website it is not stated that the DS is issued
in a widely spoken European language, given
automatically and free of charge to every student
upon graduation
Common pitfalls(3)
A completed (anonymized) DS example
is not appearing on the website but a blank
example
A Transcript of Records has not been
included in the DS example published on the
website (in Section 4.3 or as attachment to
the DS)
Drafts instead of DS certified copies have
been submitted.
Diploma Supplement
• Information on the DS and examples
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc1239_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc/ds/ds_en.pdf
Source:
European Commission – DG EAC
EACEA
ECTS label Application form
DS Label Application form
Thank you very much
for your attention, and…..
Good luck to all our
efforts!
Our students deserve it!
Presentation by
Katerina Galanaki
ECTS/DS National Contact Point – Greece
[email protected]