European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a tool which enables students to collect credits for earning achieved through higher education. ECTS is a learner-centered system which aims to increase transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. ECTS is widely used in formal higher education and can be applied to other lifelong learning activities.
ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes.
Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks.
Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.
60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. At Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences student workload is 1600 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 27 hours of work.
The workloads of all the courses are measured and displayed in ECTS credits.
Diploma Supplement
Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences provides a diploma supplement as an appendix to the original degree certificate. The diploma supplement is being issued in a widely spoken European language, given automatically and free of charge to every student upon graduation. It is issued in all bachelor degree programmes and in all master’s degree programmes.
This is in accordance with the goal of the European Comission at improving international ‘transparency’ and at facilitating the academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.). Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences works to provide graduates with more international opportunities either working or studying abroad by issuing an internationally recognized document which contains the information about the professional and academic competence of the individual graduate in question.
The diploma supplement is composed of eight sections (information identifying the holder of the qualification, information identifying the qualification, information on the level of the qualification, information on the contents and results gained, information on the function of the qualification, additional information, certification of the Supplement, information on the national higher education system). Information in all eight sections is provided by Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences.