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ECTS credits

Semester hours and ECTS

As a rule, a class lasts for two semester hours and is offered once per week only. One semester hour Semesterwochenstunde (SWS) corresponds to 45 minutes per week in the classroom over the whole semester. For courses with an average workload, the equivalent of one SWS is usually 1,5 credit points in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS); the credits for overseas students may differ depending on their home university’s crediting procedure.

Receiving ECTS points

Visiting program students have the following possibilities to receive credit for work done in Stuttgart: 

Visiting program students can participate in regular courses and take the final written or oral exam in each course in order to be awarded a proof of academic achievement called Schein. In addition to receiving a Schein for successfully completing an exam, it can also be awarded for a project paper or Hausarbeit (an essay on a specific topic of between 10 and 20 pages in length), for an assignment and oral presentation Referat (a paper presented on a given topic usually as part of a seminar).
Passing grades range from 1 (very good) to 4 (sufficient). If a student receives a grade below 4, then he/she has failed the course. In some courses no grades are given.

Some advanced visiting program students may wish to work on an independent project supervised by a professor. Such independent studies correspond closely to a Studienarbeit which is required in engineering and natural sciences. Students wishing to do this type of independent study need to find a professor at the University of Stuttgart who is willing to supervise their project work. The question of credit transfer to the home universities should also be clarified in advance.

Transferring ECTS points

  • Students under the ERASMUS exchange scheme: At the end of the exchange, Erasmus students may receive an ECTS transcript from their Erasmus student advisor. The official forms Learning Agreement and ECTS Transcript are available at the students’ home universities.
  • Overseas students will have their credits transferred to their home university according to a Confirmation of Academic Performance issued by the Office of International Affairs.

Please clarify the question of credit transfer with your home university prior to coming to Stuttgart and make sure that you stay in touch with your home supervisor during your stay here.