ECTS and Evaluation Systems

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was developed by the European Commission to establish common procedures for ensuring the academic recognition of periods of study abroad, enabling academic results to be measured, compared and transferred from one institution to another.

ECTS credits are awarded to a specific programme or course to describe the academic workload required for its completion. The amount of work includes theoretical and practical classes, seminars, projects, internships, fieldwork, autonomous study, exams and other assessment activities.

In this system, one ECTS corresponds to an average number of working hours (contact and autonomous) between 25 and 30 hours. The most common number used at ULisboa is 28 hours. One semester corresponds to 30 ECTS and one year to 60 ECTS.

As for assessment, ULisboa uses the national grading system (0-20) and the ECTS grading scale as defined in the ECTS framework by the European Commission. In order to be awarded credits, students will have to comply with the evaluation required by the courses chosen in the study plan and obtain a passing grade (at least 10). In the case of doctoral degrees, the final classification of the study cycle is qualitative.

ULisboa also issues the Diploma Supplement, to guarantee international academic and professional recognition of qualifications.