The credit points allocated to our courses are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme and is for refencence only.

This page provides information about the CATS and ECTS systems.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme

Credit is a quantified means of expressing and measuring learning equivalence, awarded for the demonstrable achievement of learning outcomes. The Institute recognises credit as a means of measuring, describing and comparing learning achievement which sets out how much learning is required for each course and at what level.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) is used by many universities in the United Kingdom to monitor, record and reward passage through a modular degree course and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions.

About 360 points need to be accumulated (120 points at each level) to qualify for award of an honours degree. A foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points, and a 'pass/ordinary degree' to 300 points.

The CAT Scheme equates 1 'credit point' with 10 hours of learning effort or notional learning time, used as a measure of volume. Notional learning time is the number of hours which it is expected that a learner (at a particular level) will spend, on average, to achieve the specified learning outcomes.

This might comprise a variable combination of contact time, (lectures, seminars, labs etc.) and self-directed learning time (background reading prior to classes, research for written assignments, and examination preparation). Thus a module allocated 30 credits or 'CATS points' should require students to commit approximately 300 hours of work achieving the learning outcomes of the module.

For mored information about CATS see go to this site:
http://www.seec-office.org.uk/credit.htm

It is possible to equate CATS with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union. It is based on student workload. This includes the time a student spends on:

- lectures
- practicals
- independent study
- preparation for exams
- meeting the course requirements

ECTS credits reflect the quantity of work each course requires in relation to the total quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the institution. ECTS credits express a relative value.

The basic allocation of academic credits in ECTS:

• 60 ECTS credits per academic year (30 per semester or 20 per trimester)
• 15 ECTS credit points = 40 study hours

Credits are awarded only if a course has been completed and all requirements have been met and examinations passed.

ECTS also includes a standard grading scale:

A best 100%
B next 25%
C next 30%
D next 25%
E next 10%
F and FX: fail

For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS-credits in all countries irrespective of standard or qualification type and is used to facilitate transfer and progression throughout the Union.

For more information visit these websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuropeanCreditTransferandAccumulationSystem

http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/qualifications/ects.cfm