The 1990's saw the start of an initiative to harmonize higher education systems in Europe. The preparation and implementation of this initiative is known as the Bologna Process.
The following goals were set down in a declaration of the EU Ministers for Education in Bologna on 19 June 1999:
- creation of a system of comparable academic degrees, including the introduction of the "Diploma Supplement"
- creation of a two-step system of course degrees (undergraduate/graduate, Bachelor and Master)
- introduction of a bonus point system based on performance (credit points)
- abolishment of barriers, both spatial and cultural, to mobility, the promotion of mobility between higher education institutions and university careers, the promotion of lifelong learning
- quality assurance of higher education by accreditation of study courses and promotion of European cooperation in quality assurance
- promotion of the European dimension in higher education
RES | the School for Renewable Energy Science is committed to promote the implementation of the Bologna process. To this end, RES does:
- Use the ECTS credit system
- Award all graduates with diploma supplements upon graduation
- Base course description on learning outcomes
- Promote mobility of students and staff
- Promote quality culture
The ECTS System
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ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study program in Europe amounts in most cases to around 1500-1800 hours per year and in those cases one credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours.
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Credits in ECTS can only be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved. Learning outcomes are sets of competences, expressing what the student will know, understand or be able to do after completion of a process of learning, long or short.
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Student workload in ECTS consists of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects and examinations.
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Credits are allocated to all educational components of a study programme (such as modules, courses, placements, dissertation work, etc.) and reflect the quantity of work each component requires to achieve its specific objectives or learning outcomes in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to complete a full year of study successfully.
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The performance of the student is documented by a local/national grade. It is good practice to add an ECTS grade, in particular in case of credit transfer. The ECTS grading scale ranks the students on a statistical basis. Therefore, statistical data on student performance is a prerequisite for applying the ECTS grading system. Grades are assigned among students with a pass grade as follows:
A best 10%
B next 25%
C next 30%
D next 25%
E next 10%
A distinction is made between the grades FX and F that are used for unsuccessful students. FX means: "fail- some more work required to pass" and F means: "fail - considerable further work required". The inclusion of failure rates in the Transcript of Records is optional.
