Credit Certification is the EAHEA service that confirms the credits of an accredited course. The certificate states the course’s EAHEA credits in Modular Units of Competency (MUC) and, as equivalents for comparison, ECTS, CATS and USC credits. It is available to institutions that hold Course Accreditation, formerly under the name ECTS Certification, and the equivalents are for comparison only: the receiving institution decides whether and how to accept the credits.
The service answers a practical problem. A provider whose course is outside a state credit system wants learners and receiving institutions to understand its size in a familiar measure. This guide explains how the service works, how the credits are derived and what the certificate does and does not say. The full terms are on the Credit Certification page of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
What the Certificate States
- The course’s EAHEA credits in MUC, part of the EAHEA Credit Systems, which also include PAC, ILC and EUC.
- The ECTS equivalent. ECTS is a credit framework for transparency, and EAHEA does not issue ECTS credits.
- The CATS equivalent, the United Kingdom scheme, used as a comparison.
- The USC equivalent, U.S. semester credits, also a comparison.
- The institution’s local credits, where it has them.
Who May Apply
Institutions that hold an EAHEA Course Accreditation. An institution without it should first obtain Course Accreditation, or Program Accreditation for a whole degree program. Credits may be stated only for certified courses or programs. See Course Accreditation: quality review for individual courses.
How the Credits Are Derived
| Unit | Basis |
|---|---|
| 1 MUC | 10 to 15 hours of total nominal workload: instruction, practical sessions, guided self-study and assessment |
| 1 ECTS | 25 to 30 hours of study work. A full-time academic year is about 1,500 to 1,800 hours |
| 1 CATS | 10 notional hours of learning |
| 1 USC | About 45 hours of student work |
EAHEA calculates the equivalents from the workload of the course. They are derived from workload and are not conversions between legal systems. See credit systems compared: ECTS, CATS, USC and workload-based credits.
Process and Review
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the proof files.
- Pay online by card or bank transfer.
- EAHEA reviews the application.
- Receive the certificate and files.
The application follows the accreditation procedure but addresses a subset of the accreditation standards, among them identification, legal authorization, hours of study, learning outcomes, course content, teaching methodology, teacher proficiency, assessment, and certificates and transcripts, which keeps the cost lower than a full accreditation.
Payment and Renewal
Fees follow the World Bank Country Income Classification, in euro, with possible further discounts. The application and certification fees are paid together at application. Card payments add 3 percent, and VAT of 24 percent applies to applicants in Estonia and EU applicants without a valid VAT number. Fees are non-refundable except amounts paid twice or by mistake. The certification is valid for one year and renews annually, with a partner discount for holders of valid Full Accreditation, Online Accreditation or Associate Membership. A major change to a course, such as its hours, credits or outcomes, is reviewed again with a change fee, and a minor change needs only notice. See the Service Fees page.
What Is Received
- The Credit Certification Document.
- An evaluation report noting any needed improvements.
- Guidance on EAHEA, ECTS, CATS and USC credits.
- News alerts, newsletter and event discounts.
A Simple Illustration
EAHEA describes Credit Certification as a service for accredited courses of at least 150 hours. Take a course with 200 hours of total nominal workload. At the standard MUC ratio of 12.5 hours, it is credited 16 MUC. The comparison figures come from the same workload: at 25 to 30 hours per ECTS, it is roughly 7 to 8 ECTS, at 10 hours per CATS 20 CATS and at about 45 hours per USC roughly 4.4 USC. The certificate shows the figures that EAHEA calculates for the specific course. The numbers here only illustrate the method.
Limits
- The equivalents are for comparison only. EAHEA does not guarantee that any institution will accept the credits.
- EAHEA is not affiliated with the European Union, the Bologna Process or any state accreditation agency.
- The certificate does not replace state authorization or official recognition of degrees, which belongs to national education authorities.
- Credits stated by non-formal providers are non-formal credits, and acceptance depends on the receiving institution.
Receiving institutions can read the figures with the help of how receiving institutions read a transcript supplement. Apply online or contact the Secretariat.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
The EAHEA credits (MUC) of an accredited course, with ECTS, CATS and USC equivalents derived from its workload, and the institution’s local credits where they exist.
Institutions that hold EAHEA Course Accreditation. Credits may be stated only for certified courses or programs.
No. EAHEA does not issue ECTS credits. The equivalents are for comparison only, and receiving institutions decide how to treat them.
From the course workload: 1 MUC is 10 to 15 hours, 1 ECTS 25 to 30 hours, 1 CATS 10 notional hours and 1 USC about 45 hours.
One year, renewed annually, with a partner discount for holders of valid Full or Online Accreditation or Associate Membership.
No. EAHEA does not guarantee that any institution will accept the credits.