Recognition of credits earned abroad
Table of contents
The following applies to ALL study-related stays abroad (study, excursion, summer school, internship): Your achievements abroad can be recognized at the TUD and credited to your respective degree program. Please inform yourself thoroughly about the respective procedure BEFORE your stay abroad. We have summarized the most important basic information for you on these pages
Important information in advance ...
Check for your degree program which semester or which modules, courses and events are particularly suitable for recognition of credits earned abroad.
- Are similar courses offered at a comparable level at the partner university?
- Does your degree program have a mandatory semester abroad?
- Do you have specific semester recommendations from your Erasmus representative for a stay abroad?
- The following modules are generally suitable for recognition: inter-faculty key qualification modules (AQua), compulsory elective modules, international modules,...
Some information on creditable modules at the TUD:
| Faculty/Institute | Creditable modules | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology |
AQuA |
Website |
| Hydrosciences |
WOF |
|
| Landscape Architecture | Compulsory elective modules |
Eligibility for recognition of modules / Advising principles |
| Center for International Studies | Compulsory elective modules | Website |
Legal basis
The principles for the recognition of study and examination achievements were newly regulated by law in 2012 (§35 para. 9 Sächs.HSFG). Since then, it has been stipulated that credits are to be recognized as long as there is no significant difference between credits earned abroad and those to be earned in the curriculum.
The legal situation is different with regard to the transfer of grades from abroad (cf. §16 para. 5 sentences 2 and 3 MPO): If the grading systems are incomparable, for example because the number of grade levels does not match, there is no crediting of grades; in particular, no "formulas" or "tables" are used. Instead, the grades are simply marked as "passed"; they (and, if applicable, the grade weightings) are not included in the grade calculation.
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
In order to ensure academic recognition throughout Europe, the Commission of the European Community has developed a standardized system for the conversion of academic achievements, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS is intended to enable the recording of academic achievements and their transfer from one university to another. This means that if you complete coursework in different university systems, ECTS credits make the amount of work done comparable and transparent.
Each course (or module) of the respective degree program is assigned a certain number of ECTS credits. They describe the workload that students are expected to complete in order to be certified as having successfully completed the course in question. Not only the courses (lectures, seminars, practical exercises, tutorials, excursions and internships) are taken into account, but also the necessary personal preparation time (self-study at home or in the library, exam preparation).
Within the framework of ECTS, the study workload of a full academic year corresponds to 60 credits, while a semester is generally based on 30 credits and a trimester on 20 credits . ECTS credits are only awarded if the required proof of achievement has been successfully completed (examination, term paper, seminar presentation, etc.). ECTS credits are not awarded for the sole participation in courses or lectures or for a study visit abroad.
However, credits earned abroad are not automatically recognized. You should therefore take the following steps to have your credits recognized at a later date.
Before your stay abroad
- Consult your academic advisor or Examination Office to clarify which content and formal requirements the course to be recognized later must meet -> clarify which documents must be submitted for recognition (course description, literature lists, etc.).
- Enter the agreed course selection in the Learning Agreement and have it signed by the person responsible for recognition at TUD and the exchange coordinator at the host university.
During the stay abroad
- If you have not already done so: get the detailed course description in English from the course catalog of your host university.
- Obtain a transcript of records from your host university after completing your examinations abroad.
After your stay abroad
- Apply to your Examination Office or academic advisor for the credits earned abroad to be recognized.
- Complete the relevant application (faculty-specific) to the Examination Committee and attach the transcript of records and the detailed course descriptions in English.
- Note: Please contact your Examination Office or academic advisor for the specific procedure.
- Alternatively, the achievements acquired abroad can also be documented in a Diploma Supplement , information in the General Examination Regulations of the TUD (October 2024).
Forms for the Learning Agreement
In this box, you will find everything you need for the Learning Agreement, which you can download individually or as a complete document (only partially applicable for ERASMUS stays, as the Learning Agreement must be created digitally). You will also find guidelines for filling out the Learning Agreement, as well as general explanations and information about the Learning Agreement.