ECTS credits are one of the most important elements of the study organization. Each subject is assigned a specific number of credits, which the student receives upon passing the course. Typically, 30 ECTS are required for the completion of a semester, and 60 ECTS for the entire academic year. However, what does one credit mean, how to calculate the number of earned ECTS and whether it is possible to move on to the next year with the remaining credits? We explain the rules applicable in the 2026/2027 academic year.
In short – the most important information:
ECTS is an abbreviation of European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, or the European System of Transfer and Accumulation of Points.
The system is used in universities across Europe and allows determining how much work the student should devote to mastering the material provided in the study program.
Each subject has a specific number of ECTS assigned to it.
For example, in one direction they could be:
These are exemplary values. The actual number of points depends on the program of the specific course.
ECTS points are not grades. They do not report whether the student studied well, but only the estimated amount of work required to pass the course.
The system also helps to compare study programs and recognize subjects completed at other universities, including during international academic exchanges.
In accordance with Article 67(3) of the Higher Education and Science Act one ECTS point corresponds to between 25 and 30 hours of student work.
However, it’s not just about the hours spent on lectures or exercises.
The total workload includes, among other things:
For example, a course with a value of 4 ECTS should require an average of 100 to 120 hours of work.
Number of ECTS points | Estimated workload |
1 ECTS | 25–30 hours |
2 ECTS | 50–60 hours |
3 ECTS | 75–90 hours |
4 ECTS | 100–120 hours |
5 ECTS | 125–150 hours |
6 ECTS | 150–180 hours |
10 ECTS | 250–300 hours |
30 ECTS | 750–900 hours |
Example: The subject „Programming Fundamentals” is assigned 5 ECTS credits.
Its implementation may include:
In total, this amounts to 125 hours, or 5 ECTS assuming 25 hours per point.
Remember that these are average values. One student may master the material faster, and another may need more time.
The standard study program requires earning approximately 30 ECTS per semester and 60 ECTS per academic year.
This means that during the three years of undergraduate studies, the student usually completes a program comprising 180 ECTS.
However, it is important to distinguish between two situations:
Full completion of the study stage means meeting the requirements stipulated in the program, including passing the appropriate courses.
Conditional registration for the next semester It may even be possible even when the student lacks part of the ECTS credits.
Therefore, it cannot be assumed that every person with 29 instead of 30 ECTS must automatically repeat the semester.
Not always.
In addition to the required number of credits, the student must meet the requirements specified in the study program and regulations.
For example, the university may require the completion of a specific subject that serves as the basis for starting subsequent classes.
Therefore, it may happen that a student has the appropriate total number of ECTS credits, but still has outstanding work on a required course.
Therefore, when calculating the semester, it is not only the sum of the points earned that counts, but also the, for which items they were awarded.
The minimum number of credits required to complete a degree is determined by Article 76 of the Higher Education and Science Act.
The number of ECTS depends on the level and length of the program.
Type of studies | Typical duration | ECTS number |
Bachelor's degree studies | 3 years | 180 |
Engineering studies | 3.5 years | Usually 210 |
Master's degree studies II level | 1.5–2 years | Usually 90–120 |
Unified Master's Degree Programs | 5 years | At least 300 |
Unified Master's Degree Programs | 6 years | At least 360 |
For undergraduate studies, the law provides for a minimum of 180 ECTS, and for postgraduate studies a minimum of 90 ECTS. Typical engineering programs that last seven semesters, however, include 210 ECTS.
It is worth remembering that completing your studies does not solely consist of accumulating the appropriate number of credits. You must also meet the remaining program requirements, including those regarding the diploma exam and the thesis, if required.
Calculating ECTS is simple: you just need to add up the points assigned to all the courses you have taken.
The most important thing is that You receive points for completing the course, not for participating in the classes themselves.
Let's say that your semester plan looks like this:
The object | ECTS | Result | ECTS earned |
Mathematics | 6 | 3,0 | 6 |
Economy | 5 | 4,0 | 5 |
Statistics | 7 | 2,0 | 0 |
English language | 4 | 5,0 | 4 |
Fundamentals of management | 8 | 3,5 | 8 |
Total | 30 | 23 |
In this example, the student obtained 23 of the required 30 ECTS credits.
He is missing 7 points because he did not complete the statistics.
If the university allows for such a possibility, the student can apply for conditional admission for the next semester.
No.
If the subject is worth 6 ECTS, you will receive six points for both a grade of 3.0 and a grade of 5.0.
A higher grade can improve the average and be important for the Rector's scholarship, but it does not increase the number of ECTS points assigned to the subject.
For example:
In the ECTS system, therefore, the most important thing is the effective completion of the required course.
The ECTS deficit, also called the point debt, represents the difference between the number of credits required at a given stage of study and the number of credits actually earned.
Example: After two semesters of the program, the student should have 60 ECTS, but he/she has earned 54.
Its deficit is:
60 − 54 = 6 ECTS.
However, this does not mean an automatic loss of the right to study.
Some universities allow students to continue their studies despite having certain points of debt, provided that the outstanding balance is paid off.
There is no single limit applicable to all students in Poland.
Each university sets the rules for registration for the next stage of studies in its regulations.
For example, the Cracow University of Technology describes in its guide for first-year students the mechanism of point-based debt and conditional registration for the next semester.
It indicates the limits of 12 ECTS per semester and 18 ECTS during the study period. However, the detailed conditions must be checked in the regulations applicable to the particular course and for the particular year.
Other universities may allow much smaller delays or make the decision dependent on the number of uncredited courses.
Important: The possibility of having an ECTS debt does not mean that you can choose any subjects that you do not want to take in a given semester.
If you have not obtained the required number of points, it is most important to check the possibilities provided by the university.
Depending on the situation, you can:
In the case of a conditional admission, the university may charge a fee for repeating certain courses.
The fee amount depends on the applicable price list and may not be the same in all directions.
The easiest way to check them is in the electronic student support system.
Polish universities use, among others:
Depending on the system, information about ECTS may be found in tabs related to assessments, grades, and the billing of study stages, or in subject cards.
It is worth paying attention to three pieces of information:
If the data appear incorrect, contact the course instructor or the dean's office.
It is not always necessary to file a formal appeal. Sometimes the cause of the problem is a missing grade entry or an unapproved grading report.
Yes. The possibility of transferring and crediting ECTS points is one of the fundamental principles of this system.
The right to transfer and recognition of credits is also provided for in Article 85 of the Higher Education and Science Act.
In practice, this is of importance primarily during:
However, it should be remembered that the transfer of points is not always automatic.
The institution can compare the effects of learning, the scope of subjects, and the requirements of the program.
Example: You have taken the subject „Statistics” for 5 ECTS at one university, and then you transfer to another course.
The new university can recognize the previously acquired learning outcomes, but it must verify that they meet the requirements of the new program.
The mere compliance with the number of ECTS credits does not guarantee the recognition of the subject.
Not automatically.
A student who did not pass part of the courses does not lose their status solely because of the appearance of an ECTS debt.
The university may allow further study on a conditional admission basis or make another decision in accordance with the regulations.
The loss of status, however, can occur as a result of the student being effectively removed from the list.
This is also important for the validity of the ELS or mLegitimation card and the right to student discounts.
The mere absence of a few ECTS credits does not mean that the student card must be immediately returned. However, if the student status is lost, the document ceases to confirm the related rights.
Those interested in the history of identity verification security can also learn about it ELS student holograms in collectible versions. Such stickers do not replace the official holograms issued by universities and are not used to extend the validity of documents.
One ECTS credit corresponds to 25–30 hours of the average workload of a student. It includes both classroom instruction provided by the university and independent study, projects, and preparation for exams.
As a standard, the study program provides 30 ECTS per semester. In certain cases, the university may allow conditional enrollment for the next stage despite the missing credits.
As a standard, 60 ECTS. However, obtaining the appropriate number of points may not be enough if the student did not pass the mandatory course or did not meet other program requirements.
Yes, if the university's regulations allow for such a possibility. A student can obtain conditional admission and complete the remaining courses within the specified deadline.
No. The ECTS number is assigned to the subject, not to the assessment. Both a grade of 3.0 and a grade of 5.0 mean the same number of points for passing the subject.
If a given subject requires the completion of an exam, it is necessary to meet this condition. However, not all courses end with an exam – some require a project, the completion of exercises, or another form of verification of the learning outcomes.
Yes. The ECTS system applies both to on-campus and off-campus studies. One credit corresponds to 25–30 hours of student work, although the proportion between classes and independent study may be different.
They may be recognized during a change of university or course. However, the decision depends on the compatibility of the achieved learning outcomes with the requirements of the new study program.
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The Hologramykolekcjonerskie24.com editorial team has been specializing in the topic for over 10 years. collectible holograms and patterns related to educational documents. We are preparing practical guides on ELS student holograms, doctoral ELDs and school-based ones, and their dates, variants, safeguards, and histories.
The published content is based on reliable sources regarding the Polish education system, applicable legal regulations, regulations of the relevant ministries, and official information provided by universities, schools, and public institutions. We regularly update the materials to reflect changes in regulations, document templates, and policies applicable in Polish education.
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