ECTS Credit Converter
(US, UK & Asian Semester Credits)
Convert US Credit Hours, UK CATS, and Indian CBCS credits into European ECTS. Track your degree benchmark towards Bachelor (180 ECTS) and Master (120 ECTS) admissions in Germany.
ECTS Credit Calculator
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (Bologna Process)
Conversion Rule: Standard US system where 1 credit equals ~2 ECTS (15 US credits = 30 ECTS per semester).
Number of origin Credit Hours earned
Calculated from 30 Credit Hours (US Semester Credit Hours (SCH))
In German Master admissions (e.g., TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin), universities do not just check your total credits. They verify subject-specific minimum ECTS (e.g. 18 ECTS in Advanced Math, 12 ECTS in Theoretical Computer Science).
German Student Visa Requirement
€11,904 Blocked Account + Health InsuranceOnce your credits and grades qualify you for German universities, you will need the mandatory Sperrkonto (€11,904) for your German student visa appointment.
Understanding the European Credit System (ECTS)
Established under the Bologna Declaration (1999), ECTS provides a standardized framework for student mobility across the 48 countries in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
In North America, 1 credit hour represents 1 weekly lecture hour plus 2 hours of homework. Because European courses require comprehensive independent study, 1 US Semester Credit Hour = 2 ECTS.
The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) operates on a 10-hour per credit model. Since ECTS relies on a 25–30 hour model, exactly 2 UK CATS credits = 1 ECTS.
Under UGC Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), 1 credit represents 1 lecture hour or 2 lab hours per week. Typical 20–24 Indian semester credits convert to 30 ECTS based on verified workload hours.
Check Your German Grade (Bavarian Formula)
Now that you know your ECTS credit equivalence, calculate your converted German GPA (1.0–4.0 scale) to see if you meet the NC cutoff for TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and KIT.
Frequently Asked Questions About ECTS
Official European guidelines for international student credential evaluation.
What is 1 ECTS credit equal to in workload hours?+
Under the official European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (Bologna Process), 1 ECTS credit corresponds to 25 to 30 student investment hours. This workload includes formal contact hours (lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions) as well as independent self-study, exam preparations, and project work. In Germany, universities typically calculate 30 hours per 1 ECTS credit.
How do US Semester Credit Hours (SCH) convert to European ECTS?+
The standard academic exchange ratio is 1 US Semester Credit Hour = 2 ECTS credits. A full-time US undergraduate semester consisting of 15 credit hours is mathematically equivalent to 30 ECTS credits. Over an academic year, 30 US credit hours equals 60 ECTS credits.
How do UK CATS credits convert to ECTS?+
In the United Kingdom Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS), 2 UK credits equal 1 ECTS credit (a 2:1 ratio). A standard UK undergraduate academic year consists of 120 CATS credits, which converts directly to 60 ECTS credits.
How many ECTS credits do I need for a German Bachelor or Master degree?+
A standard German Bachelor degree requires either 180 ECTS (3-year program, 6 semesters) or 240 ECTS (4-year program, 8 semesters). A consecutive German Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) typically requires 120 ECTS (4 semesters), or 90 ECTS for intensive 1.5-year programs. Combined, a completed Master's graduate has accumulated 300 ECTS credits.
Do German universities reject applications if I lack subject-specific ECTS?+
Yes. German universities (such as TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and KIT) enforce strict 'Fachliche Eignung' (subject-specific credit requirements). Even if your total credits are high, you may be rejected if you lack sufficient ECTS in core foundational subjects (for instance, 20 ECTS in Higher Mathematics or 15 ECTS in Theoretical Computer Science). We recommend comparing your module catalogue with the German university's curriculum early.