More information for students starting before October 2008

Academics

The European Credit System

All International Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs are based on and fully compatible with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the European guidelines for higher education as outlined in the Bologna agreements. ECTS is based on the principle that approximately 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. As one credit amounts to approximately 25 to 30 study hours, the workload of a full-time study program amounts to approximately 1500 to 1800 study hours per academic year.

The American Credit System

All International Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs are also compatible with the American educational system. The course load can be expressed in semester hours as well as in quarter hours, with each credit representing one hour of class per week. When comparing both credit systems, 1 quarter hour equals 1 ECTS credit and 1 semester hour equals 1.5 ECTS credits, assuming a quarter lasts 10 weeks and a semester lasts 15 weeks.

Grading System

For all courses, students are graded on their class attendance and participation. Depending on the type of course, students are also graded on one or more of the following: final scores on mid-terms and final exams, term papers and reports, assignments and presentations.

• The passing grade is D (60%) and up.
• * Extra course work required to receive a marginal passing grade (optional).

Academic Honors

• The Grade Point Average is calculated on a 4.0 scale.