ECTS Information
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System and it is a learner-centered system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. Its aim is to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. This ECTS system makes it easier for universities to recognize the learning achievements of students by using commonly understood measurements, credits and grades, and also provides a means of interpreting national systems of higher education.
ECTS Credits
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. Sixty (60) ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a fulltime year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. In most cases, student workload ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work.
Degree Levels currently offered by CityU as follows:
| Degree Level | Duration | ECTS Credits | Award Requirements |
| Diploma | 2 academic years | 120 | The Diploma is awarded after completion of 120 ECTS as per the program requirements. For some programs, practical training is required. Students are required to complete all of their program’s requirements. |
| Bachelor | 4 academic years | 240 | The Bachelor is a 4-year full-time or 6-year part-time program requiring the completion of 240 ECTS. |
| Master | 1.5 academic year | 90 | The Master is a 1.5-year full-time program requiring the completion of 90 ECTS. |
This page navigates you to some information about the ECTS system: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc/ects/guide_en
Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading
Each module is assessed based on coursework (midterm exam, assignment, class participation) and a final exam. Suggested Continuous Course Assessment will consist of a combination of the following and they count for 50% of the total final course assessment.
| 50% | Final Exam |
| 0%-40% | Mid-term / Tests / Quizzes |
| 0%-30% | Assignments / Projects |
| 0%-20% | Homework |
| 0%-10% | Class Attendance and Participation |
Estimated student’s work time distribution in hours
| Contact hours | Student’s private time | ||
| Lecture | 39 | Private study | 39 |
| Mid-Term Test | 2 | Homework / Assignments / Projects | 38 |
| Final Exam | 2 | Test preparation | 12 |
| Final Exam Preparation | 18 | ||
| Total: | 43 | Total: | 107 |
Final Examination
The final examination takes place at the end of each semester and is cumulative of all material covered. It weights 60% of the total final course assessment.
Graduation Requirements
The award of the Bachelor of Art degrees requires the satisfactory completion of 240 ECTS units, while that of the Diplomas 120 ECTS units, in the respective course structure with a minimum passing mark of 60% in both coursework and final exams.
Mode of Study
The mode of study can be Full-time or part-time.
Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
(a) The number of quality points (based on the grade earned in each course) in any one semester, is multiplied by the number of credits that the course carries. (b) The product of such multiplication, for all courses taken in a semester, are added to get the total number of quality points. (c) The total number of quality points is then divided by the total number of credits the student has attempted in the semester to obtain the GPA. The calculation of the CPA follows the same procedure for all semesters except that it is based on all the courses for which the student has registered since the day he/she has enrolled in the College
| A | 4.0 | Excellent | 90-100 |
| B+ | 3.5 | Very Good | 85-89 |
| B | 3.0 | Good | 80-84 |
| C+ | 2.5 | Satisfactory | 75-79 |
| C | 2.0 | Average | 70-74 |
| D+ | 1.5 | Weak | 65-69 |
| D | 1.0 | Poor | 60-64 |
| F | 0.0 | Fail | Bellow 60 |
The following are not counted in the Grade Point Average (GPA) and the credit hours are not included in the earned hours:
| W | Withdrawal | Student has withdrawn |
| AW | Administrative Withdrawal | No credit; administratively withdrawn |
| I | Incomplete | Course not completed. |
The following are not counted in the Grade Point Average (GPA), but the credit hours are included in the earned-hours:
| P | Pass | Passing a non-credit course or a course for which credit was earned by Examination |
| TR | Transfer credits | Course transferred from other Colleges or Universities. |
| NP | Not Pass | Not passing a non-credit Course. |
| E | Credit by Examination | Courses for which credit was awarded on the basis of an examination and the suffix E is recorded after the course title. |
RETAKE: (R) The grade of R (Retake), is shown next to a student’s grade on his/hers transcript, and is for a student who fails a course or gets a grade less than C or equivalent. The student is allowed to repeat the course only twice. Only the highest grade obtained will be counted for the cumulative GPA.
INDEPENDANT STUDY Courses taken under independent study are recorded on the student’s transcript with a letter grade and are calculated in the GPA.
