Question 1

How do I convert ECTS to US credits?

Accepted Answer

Divide the ECTS credits by 2 to get US semester credits. For example, 30 ECTS equals 15 semester credits. Most US universities use this 2 to 1 ratio, but each school sets its own policy, so confirm with your registrar before relying on the result.

Question 2

How many US credits is 60 ECTS?

Accepted Answer

60 ECTS is a full European academic year. At the standard ratio it equals 30 US semester credits or 45 US quarter credits, which matches a typical full-time year of about 30 semester credits.

Question 3

How do I convert ECTS to US quarter credits?

Accepted Answer

Multiply ECTS by 0.75. A semester credit is worth 1.5 quarter credits and 1 ECTS is about 0.5 semester credits, so 1 ECTS is about 0.75 quarter credits. For example, 60 ECTS equals 45 quarter credits.

Question 4

Is 1 ECTS always equal to 0.5 US credits?

Accepted Answer

No. The 2 to 1 ratio is the most common rule, but it is not an official standard. Some institutions use different factors, and the result can vary by degree level or program. The ratio in your transcript evaluation is the one that counts, so ask the admissions or registrar office.

Question 5

How many hours is 1 ECTS credit?

Accepted Answer

One ECTS credit represents about 25 to 30 hours of total student work, including lectures, self-study, assignments and exams. The exact figure varies by country and university. The University of Copenhagen, for example, uses 27.5 hours.

Question 6

How many ECTS credits are in a bachelor's or master's degree?

Accepted Answer

A European bachelor's degree is usually 180 or 240 ECTS. A master's degree is usually 90 to 120 ECTS, although some programs are 60. At the 2 to 1 ratio, 240 ECTS equals 120 US semester credits, the usual size of a US bachelor's degree.

Question 7

Do US universities accept ECTS credits?

Accepted Answer

Many do for transfer and study abroad, but each university, and often each department, decides. Credits usually transfer only if the course matches your degree requirements and was passed with a high enough grade. Ask for a credit evaluation before you enrol.

Question 8

Which countries use ECTS?

Accepted Answer

ECTS is used across the European Higher Education Area, which has 49 member countries. Russia and Belarus are currently suspended, according to the EHEA website. Some universities outside Europe also use ECTS to support exchange programs.

Question 9

How do I convert US credits to ECTS?

Accepted Answer

Multiply US semester credits by 2, so 15 semester credits equal about 30 ECTS. For contact hours or a custom ratio, use our Credit Hours to ECTS converter.

Question 10

What is the difference between ECTS credits and ECTS grades?

Accepted Answer

ECTS credits measure workload. ECTS grades (A to F) show how you performed compared with other passing students. This page converts credits only. To convert ECTS grades to a US GPA, use the ECTS Grade Calculator.

ECTS	Total student work (hours)
1	25 to 30
5	125 to 150
6	150 to 180
30	750 to 900
60	1,500 to 1,800

University	Rule	Source
UNC Charlotte	1 credit hour per 2 ECTS	Policy page
University of South Carolina	2 ECTS = 1 USC credit	Policy page
University of Michigan	Multiply ECTS by 0.5	Policy page
UAB	6 ECTS = 3 US credits	Policy page

ECTS to US Credits Calculator

How to convert ECTS to US credits

ECTS to US credits conversion table

How many hours is an ECTS credit?

How US universities convert ECTS

Worked examples

ECTS credits are not ECTS grades

ECTS to US credits by country

Frequently asked questions

Sources and methodology

ECTS	US semester credits	US quarter credits	Typical meaning
1	0.5	0.75	-
3	1.5	2.25	-
5	2.5	3.75	-
6	3	4.5	One typical course
7.5	3.75	5.63	-
10	5	7.5	-
12	6	9	-
15	7.5	11.25	-
20	10	15	-
30	15	22.5	One semester
60	30	45	One academic year
90	45	67.5	One and a half years
120	60	90	Two-year master's
180	90	135	Three-year bachelor's
240	120	180	Four-year bachelor's