What does ECTS stand for?

ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It's a standardised framework used across European universities to quantify student workload and make academic achievements comparable and transferable between institutions.

How many hours is 1 ECTS?

One ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 28 hours of total study workload. This includes lectures, tutorials, self-study, assignments, and exam preparation.

How many ECTS do I need for a Bachelor's degree?

A standard Bachelor's degree in the Netherlands requires 180 ECTS, spread over 3 years (60 ECTS per year).

Are ECTS the same across all European universities?

Yes, ECTS is a standardised system used across the European Higher Education Area. One ECTS at a Dutch university represents the same workload as one ECTS at any other European university.

What happens if I fail an ECTS course?

If you fail a course, you don't earn the associated ECTS credits. Most Dutch universities offer re-sit exams. Accumulating too few credits can affect your enrolment through the Binding Study Advice (BSA) in your first year.

Can I transfer ECTS between universities?

Yes — that's one of the core purposes of the ECTS system. If you transfer between European universities, your earned credits can be recognised by the new institution. However, the receiving university decides which specific credits count toward your new programme.

Understanding Academic Credits

ECTS Credits Explained

ECTS is the standard credit system used across most European countries to show how much study workload a course or degree involves and to make it easier to compare and transfer study results between universities.

What Does 1 ECTS Mean?

In the Netherlands, 1 ECTS typically equals 28 hours of study workload

Lectures

Attending classes and seminars

Tutorials

Guided exercises and sessions

Self-Study

Reading and research

Assignments

Essays, projects, and group work

Exam Preparation

Studying and revision

Exams

The assessments themselves

This includes lectures, tutorials, self-study, assignments, group work, exam prep, and exams — not just time in the classroom.

How Many ECTS Per Year?

ECTS per year

~1,680

study hours per year

A full-time study load is 60 ECTS per academic year — that's about 1,680 study hours (60 × 28).

Typical Dutch Degree Totals

Common totals you'll see

Bachelor's (WO or HBO)

180 ECTS

Usually 3 years full-time

Master's

60–120 ECTS

Often 1–2 years, depending on the programme and field

Why ECTS Matters

ECTS helps you make better decisions about your education

Understand Your Workload

Understand the real workload of a programme — not just the number of courses.

Compare Programmes

Compare programmes across universities and countries.

Meet Prerequisites

Show admissions offices you meet the prerequisites (e.g., "need 15 ECTS in math").

Plan Your Schedule

Plan realistic schedules (especially if you work part-time).

How StudyPath Helps

If you tell StudyPath your intended programme, we can help you read degree structures and check whether you meet the required ECTS in specific subjects (common for STEM, economics, and psychology).

Frequently Asked Questions

ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It's the standard credit system used across most European countries to show how much study workload a course or degree involves and to make it easier to compare and transfer study results between universities.

In the Netherlands, 1 ECTS typically equals 28 hours of study workload. This includes lectures, tutorials, self-study, assignments, group work, exam prep, and exams.

A standard Bachelor's degree in the Netherlands (WO or HBO) requires 180 ECTS, usually completed over 3 years full-time at 60 ECTS per year.

A Master's degree is typically 60–120 ECTS, often 1–2 years depending on the programme and field.