International Student Exchange Program

ISEP

Transcript Evaluation Guidelines

Revised 2001

Foreword

We are pleased to present the Revised 2001 edition of the ISEP Transcript Evaluation Guidelines. We have compiled the following information on the academic systems abroad of many of our ISEP countries to assist United States ISEP coordinators in transcript evaluation. While our primary purpose in creating this document was to help you evaluate work done abroad by your US students, we also hope you will find it useful when evaluating the transcripts of incoming international exchange students. The information presented on each country’s education system has been gathered from a variety of sources, including the experience of Program Officers at ISEP central, the education section of embassy websites, and ISEP member institutions. Please note that most credential guides, such as the AACRO and WES guides, currently used in the United States are designed for admissions officers. They are used to evaluate transcripts of international students applying for admission to US institutions degree programs. The guides are not primarily intended for study abroad advisors, registrars and faculty who evaluate the transcripts of US students returning to the home campus after a semester or year of study abroad. The ISEP Transcript Evaluation Guideline attempts to provide transcript evaluators information to translate grades/marks and to transfer credits from host institutions to home institutions. The approach to grading in many non-US institutions is quite different from the US system. US institutions tend to use letter grades to show a student’s performance in a particular course, while most non-US institutions use numbers or terms such as très bien, sehr gut, aprobado etcetera. You will come across a number of these terms and others when you go through this guideline. There is also a difference in how grades or marks are awarded for courses completed. Spanish and French institutions are known for their very strict grading methods. An ‘A’ average student should not be expected to return from a French institution with marks of 16 and above. 16 is a very high mark and is not easily dispensed by French professors. A number of European ISEP member institutions use a system called ECTS credits. ECTS - ‘European Community Course Credit Transfer System’ - was developed by the Commission of the European Community in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition for studies abroad. ECTS is a credit system based on student workload. Student workload refers to the time spent following lectures, doing practical work and independent study. ECTS credits express relative, rather than absolute values. In the ECTS system a full workload constitutes at least 60 credits per academic year and 30 credits per semester. It is up to each institution to decide how to go about transferring credits from the students’ host institutions. Please keep in mind that students studying at a university in a foreign country are coping with different methods of instruction, different types of assignments and assessment. If they are taking regular academic classes taught in a foreign language, the challenge is even greater. Taking these challenges into account when awarding credit would seem to be fair to students. We hope you will find these guidelines a useful tool and encourage you to share them with those involved in transcript evaluation on your campus. We ask that you acknowledge ISEP as the source of the information if you do photocopy the guidelines for use by members of your campus community. We welcome any suggestions and comments you may have that will assist us in serving you better. Copyright 2001 the International Student Exchange Program. These guidelines were specifically developed for coordinators at ISEP member institutions and may not be reproduced in any fashion without the express permission of ISEP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Coordinator Suggestions for Pre-departure Orientation I

Transcript Guidelines for ISEP Coordinators and Participants III

ARGENTINA 1

AUSTRALIA 2

AUSTRIA 3

PEOPLE’S REP. CHINA – HONK KONG 5

COSTA RICA 6

FINLAND 7

FRANCE 8

GERMANY 10

GHANA 12

HUNGARY 14

ICELAND 15

ITALY 16

JAPAN 17

KOREA 18

MALTA 19

MEXICO 20

NETHERLANDS 21

NICARAGUA 23

PHILIPPINES 24

SPAIN 25

SWEDEN 27

SWITZERLAND 28

THAILAND 29

UNITED KINGDOM 30

URUGUAY 32

Fall 2001

This handout was adapted from a presentation at the ISEP 1999 conference by Carol Fairweather, Associate Director and ISEP Coordinator, Study Abroad Programs, University of Denver, Colorado. AN ISEP COORDINATOR’S ADVICE Two years ago, I had two ISEP students with problem transcripts. One had studied in France for a year and one studied in Spain for a year. Both were exceptional students with good grades going into the ISEP program. When the transcripts came, one student’s transcript had only three out of the eight classes she had taken abroad. The other student’s transcript was missing most of a three-week, intensive language program she had completed at the host school, and the transcript listed a D+ for a language lab course, whereas the student had earned high marks for more difficult, direct-immersion philosophy courses. She believed the D+ did not reflect her language ability. Both students were on financial aid, so the problem was not only one of a lack of credit but also a financial one. A student’s financial aid is at risk if he or she is deemed not to have taken enough credit for the equivalent of a full time load. I contacted ISEP for help, talked to colleagues, and consulted the dusty books I had inherited on my bookshelves. Almost a year later, after many hours of hard work and tears, we obtained credit on the transcripts. What did I learn? I realized that I had a responsibility to better prepare my students before they left and the students also had a responsibility to take steps to help obtain a complete transcript. I now make the students aware that getting a complete transcript is not automatic. It must not be taken for granted. ISEP Coordinator's Responsibilities • Educate the students before departure about the educational system of the country and the grading

system of that country. • Make the students aware of the potential problems. Student's Responsibilities • Get written approval from the home school for all courses to be taken abroad prior to departure. • Email academic advisor with any requested changes to list of courses to be taken abroad. Obtain

approval in writing. • Know the names of your professors and how to contact them. • Make contact with the professor early in the semester, explaining you are an international student on an

ISEP exchange program. • Verify that you are on the professor’s class list. • Fill out the ISEP Enrollment Verification Form (the EVF is included in the original Participant

Placement Acceptance Packet from ISEP) including the professor's name and ask the professor to sign next to his name and course.

• Give the original EVF to host coordinator, keep a copy for yourself, send a copy to your home ISEP coordinator.

• Stay to the end of the program abroad, make sure all work is completed and take the finals. There is no guarantee of credit if a student leaves early.

• If you make special arrangements with a professor for an exam (for example, substitute a written paper for the final exam), obtain the agreement in writing from the professor and give a copy to the host ISEP coordinator and bring a copy home.

• Make sure you hand in final papers to the correct location or person. • Make copies of any papers before you hand them in, as you may not have the paper stored on a computer

you can access at home. • Bring back course descriptions, syllabuses, reading lists, notebooks, and all assignments done for a

class--anything that may help show what work you did in the course if a question regarding credit arises after your return.

III Fall 2001

Transcript Guidelines for ISEP Coordinators and Participants Different countries approach course registration and the recording and reporting of grades differently. In the United States, registration and recording of grades are centralized, and transcripts are usually issued at the end of every semester. In many other countries, registration is a less formal process, and transcripts may not be issued until students have completed their degree program. Earning grades in one educational system and applying the credit towards a degree in another country is a complex process, which requires the cooperation of all of the parties involved in an ISEP exchange—home and host institutions, ISEP participants and ISEP Central. Each has the following responsibilities. 1. The home institution coordinator • helps the student appreciate differences between the educational systems at home and abroad • assists students in selecting sites appropriate to their academic goals • advises students about getting pre-approval for courses to be taken abroad • reminds students of their responsibility for knowing and following procedures at their home and

host institution • assists students in getting credit for work done abroad upon their return 2. The host institution coordinator • advises students in selecting courses that meet their needs (as defined in the study site request)

within the context of the host academic system • informs ISEP participants of any special host institution procedures they must follow in order to

receive a transcript • at Non-US institutions: reviews, collects and signs enrollment verification form, keeps copy on

file, and sends original to participant’s home ISEP coordinator • ensures that a transcript is issued within four weeks of the completion of a student’s exchange • sends the original transcript to ISEP Central • notifies ISEP if the transcript is being withheld (for example, the student might owe money to

the host university) The transcript should include the following: ⇒ Name and official seal of host institution ⇒ Year during which students attended ⇒ Course title and, for non-US institutions, type of class (lecture, seminar, etc.) ⇒ Duration of course (semester, year, etc.) ⇒ Hours of class (either per week or total) or credit unit ⇒ Grade ⇒ Coordinator’s signature or other official signature ⇒ Explanation of credit units or and grading system ⇒ Optional but useful: name of and comments by professor

IV Fall 2001

3. The ISEP participant is responsible for: • familiarizing him/herself with the host institution academic system • getting approval from the home institution for courses to be taken abroad • (US students abroad): completing the enrollment verification form and giving it to the

host coordinator as soon as final decisions about course selection are made. The form should include the following information:

⇒ title and duration (semester, academic year, etc.) of courses taken ⇒ number of hours per week ⇒ names of professors

This form is not only a requirement for US students receiving financial aid; in countries where registration is not a formal, centralized process it may also be the only written record of courses taken.

• informing home coordinator or academic advisor and host coordinator of changes made in the academic program abroad during the study period abroad

• retaining written assignments, course outlines and other materials that may be submitted to home institution to facilitate credit transfer

• knowing and following procedures relating to transcripts at host institution • completing all required work before leaving the host campus (Note: If a participant

arranges with a professor to substitute another assignment for a scheduled exam, this arrangement should be made in writing and a copy given to the host coordinator) returning transcript verification form to ISEP, clearly explaining any problems or possible errors

If a student leaves before the completion of the scheduled exchange period, ISEP cannot guarantee that he or she will receive a transcript.

4. ISEP Central • forwards the transcript to the home institution coordinator as soon as possible after it

is received and keeps a copy on file • follows up with the host institution if transcript verification form is returned with an

indication of a problem. • runs regular checks of transcripts received and request outstanding transcripts from

institutions • provides information about academic systems and suggestions for the conversion of

grades for exchange students.

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ARGENTINA Higher Education Universities in Argentina are autonomous. Higher education is provided in three types of institutions: national, provincial and private universities, institutions of technical and professional studies and teacher-training colleges. Admission: Secondary school credentials, as well an entrance exam in some cases, are required for admission to Argentine universities. Academic Calendar: The academic year is divided into two terms. Argentina’s academic calendar is on the southern hemisphere schedule, with classes usually beginning in March and ending in December. Degrees The first two years of university study are devoted to the study of basic subjects. The total program of study lasts five or six years and leads to a licenciatura or professional title. More recent years have seen the creation of universities which award a bachillerato universitario after four years of study. The doctorado (doctorate) is awarded at least two years after completion of the licenciatura.

Grades Grade U.S. Equivalent 10 Outstanding A 9-8 Very good B+ 7-6 Good B 5-4 Pass C 3-0 Fail D Argentine universities tend to be more severe in their grading than in the U.S. and a mark of 10 is rarely awarded. Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credits: 1 credit is a total of 14 hours of lecture.

• Average full-workload ranges

between 15-18 credits per semester.

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AUSTRALIA Higher Education About 12 percent of Australians enroll for higher education in universities and technical institutes. Admission: Institutions are government –supported and admission is competitive based on academic merit. Australian universities emphasize research, applied studies and teacher training, while technical institutes provide vocational training. Universities are divided into faculties or departments. Arts and sciences faculties generally offer a three-year bachelor’s degree and a four-year honors degree. The master’s degree takes one or two years of further study and the Ph.D. takes three years. Coursework is generally less structured than in the United States and is based on the U.K. model. Independent study habits and self-discipline are important. Final exams figure heavily in grading, but recently there has been increased emphasis on semester exams and seminars involving class participation and papers. Grades awarded are HD (High Distinction), D (Distinction), C (Credit), P (Pass) and N (Failure). Academic Calendar: Australia follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar; therefore students will find it beneficial to begin their studies during the U.S. second term. The academic year begins in late February or early March and ends in November. Universities follow the quarter system, the semester system or a combination of both systems.

Grades 10-8 High distinction A+

7 Distinction A

6 Credit B

5 Pass C

4/PC Conceded pass D

<3 Fail F

Credit Equivalents Unit of Measurement – Credit points (not equivalent to US credits). Units (the equivalent of classes or modules) are given credit values ranging from a minimum of 10 credits to a maximum of 100 credits.

The average number of classes taken per term is 4. A student who takes 4 classes will have 12 hours of lecture per week. Students are considered to be enrolled full-time when the value of the units in which they are enrolled in one-semester totals at least 75 credits (the normal full-time load is 100 credits). A student could conceivably study ten units or one unit. The usual number is four or five units per semester depending on the credit value of the units.1

1 Excerpt taken from the University of Technology, Curtin’s international office information brochure.

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AUSTRIA Higher Education Admissions: students must hold the Reifepruefungszeugnis, or Reifezeugnis, the secondary school leaving certificate. In addition to the standard form of access, universities also have qualification examinations (Studienberechtigungspruefung). Academic Year: The academic year begins early October and ends late September; it consists of two semesters, which run from approximately the beginning of October to the end of January (winter semester) and the beginning of March until the end of June (summer semester). There is a one-month semester vacation in February and a three-month summer vacation (July-September). Degrees There are two kinds of study programs at the university level: regular (ordentliche Studien), which results in an academic degree, and special or non-degree (ausserordentliche Studien). First degrees include: Magister: first university degree, awarded after completion of a legal minimum of 4 or 5 years of study (usually lasts 6-7 years). Diplom-ingenieur: awarded in engineering, usually 6-7 years. Doktor: (doctoral level) awarded after 2-4 semesters of study beyond magister or Diplom-ingenieur. Diploma and Magister programs are divided into 2 stages (Studienabschnitte) in most fields. The first stage provides an overview of the field; the 2nd emphasizes more specialized knowledge. During the second stage, students must write a thesis (Diplomarbeit) in addition to coursework.

Registration & Credit Required subjects, courses & number of classes for each major are published in a study plan (studienplan). Subjects may be compulsory (Pflichtfaecher), elective (Freifaecher) or choice (Wahlfaecher), the latter meaning subjects selected by students within existing general guidelines. Registration is informal. Students do not register for individual classes or courses; accreditation hinges entirely on the successful completion of a course recorded on individual certificates (Zeugnis, Kolloquienzeugnis) or on a Certificate of Study Results (Nachweis ueber den Studienerfolg). Grades 1 Sehr gut A 2 gut B+/B 3 befriedigend B-/C+ 4 genuegend C 5 nicht genuegend F The equivalent to the US “D” does not exist. An individual grade (note) is awarded for a class, thesis or part of a large exam. An overall grade (Gesamtnote) is awarded for multi-part exams. Course types VO=Vorlesung/lecture, successful

completion requires oral or written exams

PS=Proseminar, requires term paper SE=Seminar/graduate seminar, requires term

paper UE=Uebung/practical, grade is based on

continuous assessment LU=Laboruebung, laboratory practical KO=Konversatorium/ tutorial

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Exam types DP=Diplompruefung, major written or oral

exam VP=Vorpruefung, qualifying exam

EP=Ergaenzungspruefung, supplementary exam

Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement – Credits

• A full workload is 6 courses in a semester of 15 weeks – 12 hours of lecture per week.

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PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA – HONG KONG Higher Education Hong Kong returned to the People’s Republic of China and became a Special Administrative Region on July 1, 1997 after one and a half centuries of British rule. The formation and evolution of higher education there has been quite unlike that in China. Further, as a Special Administrative Region of China, it continues to function with a high degree of autonomy, legislated under its Basic Law, which encompasses higher education. Hong Kong’s colleges and universities operate separately from those within the jurisdiction of China’s State Education Commission. These institutions are financed by Hong Kong’s own University Grants Committee. Admission: Competitive admission to CUHK is based on passing the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination after seven years of secondary education. Both English and Chinese examinations must be passed. University programs lead to Bachelor's, Master's, doctoral degrees and postgraduate diplomas. Students who satisfy graduation requirements shall be awarded bachelor's degree with one of the classifications: first-, second upper-, second lower-, third- class honors, or pass degree, depending on examination results.

Coursework: This includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory work, fieldwork, examinations and research projects.

Academic Calendar: The academic year is divided into two terms: September to December and January to May, with examinations scheduled in December and early May.

Grades 100-85 4 excellent A

84-75 3 good B

74-60 2 fair C

59-40 1 poor D

39-0 0 fail F

Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credit/units.

• A full workload per semester is about 12-18 credits/units. A student with a workload of 12 credits will have an average of 12 hours of lecture per week.

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COSTA RICA Higher Education Six years of primary education are followed by five years of secondary schooling in order to obtain the bachillerato in either sciences or humanities. A student can then take the entrance examination for one of three types of higher education institutions: universities, with faculties in humanities, sciences, law, medicine, economics, etc.; teacher training institutions; or international institutions for education in public administration and agricultural sciences. Academic Calendar: Costa Rica follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar. The academic year runs from February to November. Degrees After two to six years of study, the licenciado title is awarded. For medicine and dentistry, the doctor title is given after seven years. In education, the degree of bachillerato en ciencias de la educación is awarded after the first two years of study. Final examination and thesis are required for all degrees. Grades 10-9 100-90 A 8 89-80 B 7 79-70 C 0-6 69-0 F

Credit Equivalent:

• Unit of Measurement: Credit hours

(equivalent to U.S. credits).

• A full workload is 5-6 courses per semester.

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FINLAND Higher Education Higher education in Finland is divided into two sectors: Polytechnics and Universities. Polytechnics: At the beginning of the 1990’s, higher education in Finland underwent a radical restructuring, and the emergence of the Polytechnic sector dates from that period. The polytechnics were formed by upgrading and merging previously existing specialized institutions offering vocational higher education. The Polytechnic sector is still somewhat in a state of flux. In general, degree courses at the polytechnics focus on a given area of professional expertise, and require from 3.5 to 4 years to complete. Universities: There are 20 universities in Finland’s dense network, including multi-faculty universities, as well as technological, economics/business, and arts institutions. The University sector currently enrolls roughly 147,000 students. The remainder of the information here refers to the University sector. System of Study: Finnish universities award kandidaatti, maisteri, and tohtori degrees that correspond to U.S. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor’s degrees. It is usually also possible to obtain a lisensiaatti degree prior to the Doctor’s degree. In principle it takes a minimum of three years to complete a kandidaatti degree, or five years for a maisteri degree. Advanced degrees can be completed in two years (for the lisensiaatti) or four years (for the tohtori). A thesis is usually required at each level.

Credit Transfer Credits: Individual courses at a Finnish university may carry one to several credits, and may last the whole semester or, very often, for much shorter periods during the term. With one opintoviikko equal to 40 hours of work, there is a rough parity between one Finnish credit and one typical U.S. semester credit. 3 Excellent A 2 Good B 1 Satisfactory C Grading scale may vary from one institution to another. Please refer to grading scale on each institution’s transcript. Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement – ECTS: One Finnish credit unit refers to an input of approximately 40 hours of work; Conversion: 1 Finnish credit unit = 1.5 ECTS credits.

• One term of full time studies is about

10-15 credits.

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FRANCE Higher Education Higher education has a long history in France dating back to the founding of the Sorbonne in 1215. Traditionally, the education system was extremely centralized, less so in the last thirty years. Higher education is provided in universities or Grandes Ecoles/other professional institutions. University - Universities have exercised self-government since 1968. Universities are composed of a teaching and research unit, affiliated centers and institutes. Grande Ecole - The Grandes Ecoles were established by the government to train students in humanities, business, science, engineering, math and social sciences. They are the “Ivy League” of France, considered to be the most prestigious arena of higher education from which the politicians and leaders of industry are selected. Admission University - Entrance to the university system is based on passing a national examination, the baccalaureat or the “bac,” taken after the third year of high school. Anyone who passes the bac may enter university. Grande Ecole - Entry to the Grandes Ecoles is extremely competitive; students must pass an exam for entry, usually after two years of preparatory school following high school. Only 10% of those who try to gain entry, after two years of preparatory classes, are admitted to a Grande Ecole. Limited enrollment permits faculty to know and follow student progress closely. The Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (IEPs) in Rennes and Aix, the Ecole Superieure de Commerce et

d’Administration des Entreprises (Sup de Co) in Amiens and the Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Lyon (INSA) are the four Grandes Ecoles that are ISEP members. Academic Calendar The academic year begins in early to mid-October and ends in June. A governmental reform in 1996 instructed all French universities to change from a full-year to a semester course schedule. Some universities have adopted the reform others have not. Semesters run from October through January and February through June. Degrees � diplome d’etudes universitaires

generales (DEUG): awarded after two years of university study (DEUG level courses = first and second year university courses)

� licence: awarded after third year of university study (Licence level courses = third year university courses)

� maitrise: awarded after fourth year of university study (Maitrise level courses = fourth year university courses)

� diplome d’etudes approfondies (DEA) and diplome d’etudes superieures specialisees (DESS): awarded after fifth year of university study

� doctorat de troisieme cycle, doctorat de l’universite: advanced training beyond the US masters degree level

� doctorat d’etat: comparable to a US doctoral degree

Overview of Curriculum French students follow a highly structured curriculum specific to the degree they are pursuing. At the end of each year, they must pass a set of required exams before they can move to the next year’s program. Because

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their studies are more specialized, French students tend to be more advanced in their major fields of study than American students after the same number of years at university. Also, most courses are designed for students majoring in a given field. Students studying in France through ISEP usually find courses at the DEUG level best fit their needs and abilities. There are two types of classes at university: cours magistraux/CM (lecture classes) and travaux diriges/TD (seminars). Many courses have a CM and a TD component. Lecture courses usually require one exam. Attendance is not mandatory, although it is encouraged. Students are expected to work independently throughout the semester to prepare for the final exam. Grades The grading system in France is rather severe compared to the American system. Grades are awarded on a scale of 1 to 20. By tradition, the highest grades awarded by French professors are 14 or 15 and grades of 10 or 9 reflect satisfactory performance. Generally speaking, students work to pass a

course rather than to earn a high grade. Regardless of scores on individual examinations, a French student needs an overall average of 10/20 to pass the year at university. This means some grades for individual courses can be below 10 and some above. In translating grades, it would be inaccurate merely to multiply a French grade by five to find its American equivalent. 16-20 Very good A+ 14-15.9 Good A 12-13.9 Quite Good B 10-11.9 Satisfactory C Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurements – ECTS; 1 French credit unit = 1.5 ECTS credits.

• One term of full time studies is about

15-20 hours of class time per week.

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GERMANY Higher Education Admissions: the basic requirement for admission to a university is the Abiturprüfung, obtained after studying at the gymnasium. It is possible for individuals who did not attend either an academic high school or a Fachoberschule to earn the Abitur at night school or in general education institutions called Kollegs German universities once offered virtually open enrollment to all holders of an Abitur. Overcrowding is common in many German universities, and admission to some fields of study is now restricted. Young people hoping to study medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine must take special admissions exams. Students wanting to study other high-demand fields, including architecture, law, economics, psychology, and pharmacy, must apply to the Central Office for the Allocation of Study Places (ZVS:Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen) in Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia), which ranks students on the basis of their grades on the Abitur exams and how long they have been on the waiting list to enter the desired program. Academic Year: The academic year begins in mid-October and ends in mid-July. It consists of two semesters, winter semester and summer semester. There is a one-month semester vacation in February and a summer vacation (typically July-September). Degrees Each degree program is divided into two distinct phases: Basic studies (grundstudium-4 semesters) and Main Studies (hauptstudium-2 to 4 additional semesters).

Diplom: degree earned for studies in science, psychology and social sciences. Leads to vordiplom after 4 semesters, and dippom after 6 to 8 semesters. Magister artium: awarded in humanities, Leads to zwischenpruefung after 4 semesters, and magister artium after 6 to 8 semesters. Staatsexamen: degrees earned for studies in medicine, pharmocology, law & teaching. Leads to zwischenpruefung after 4 semesters, and staatsexamen after 6 to 8 semesters. Promotion: German doctoral degree, which requires 2 to 4 years of independent study beyond the degrees listed. The minimum requirement to pursue graduate studies is a vordiplom or zwishenpruefung plus two additional semesters. Registration & Credit Required subjects, courses & number of classes for each major are published in a study plan (studienplan). Subjects may be compulsory (Pflichtfaecher), elective (Freifaecher) or choice (Wahlfaecher), the latter meaning subjects selected by students within existing general guidelines. The German higher education system is based on the principle of “Lehrfreiheit und Lernfreiheit” (freedom to teach and freedom to learn). Professors are granted freedom to teach as they see fit and students proceed at their own pace and are not bound by attendance regulations or performance in class. Independent, self-directed study is heavily emphasized and is designed to encourage self-motivation and promote interesting discussion.

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Assessment is based on oral and written reports in seminars for which the student receives a Schein, or certificate (a grade can be requested). German universities do NOT issue a record of your academic study while on an ISEP exchange. Procedures for obtaining credit are outlined in the German Handbook. Course types Vorlesung/lecture, number of students is not limited. Uebungen/small discussion groups accompanying Vorlesungen. Usually features homework assignments, research & writing papers Seminar dedicated to small-group learning. It covers a subject area in more detail and requires student participation by way of an oral presentation on a specific topic. Students are encouraged to participate intensively in 2 to 4 seminars per semester.

Exam types DP=Diplompruefung, major written or oral

exam VP=Vorpruefung, qualifying exam EP=Ergaenzungspruefung, supplementary

exam Grades 1-1.5 Sehr gut A 1.6-2.5 gut B 2.6-3.5 befriedigend C 3.6-4.0 ausreichend C- 4.1-4.3 mangelhaft D 4.4-6 ungenuegend F Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement – Hours per week or semester credits.

• A full workload varies between 4-6

classes per semester, or 10-16 hours per week.

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GHANA In the past decade, the country’s spending on education has been between 28 to 40 percent of its annual budget. Education is viewed as important, a key to prosperity and progress. Higher Education There are four universities in Ghana. The University of Ghana at Legon and Accra, where ISEP students study, is the flagship university in Ghana. Admission Entrance to universities is by examination following completion of senior secondary school. Only those with very high secondary school exams scores are accepted. Courses Class sizes range from 30 to 250. Most courses are offered in the lecture format. 100 and 200 level courses are for general requirements, 300 and 400 level courses are for students majoring in the particular subject. Academic Calendar The University calendar consists of two sixteen-week semesters with a six-week break in between. The ISEP program in Ghana includes two weeks of orientation, followed by two semesters each containing thirteen teaching weeks, one week for revision and two weeks of exams. The program includes a required Ghanaian language course (Twi), along with usually 4 other courses per semester, one of which tends to be an elective in African studies. Curriculum and Credit Ghanaian students follow a structured curriculum specific to the degree they are pursuing. The actual number of hours in class varies according to the department or

subject and the amount of work expected of students outside of class. One course credit is defined as either--one hour lecture, one hour tutorial, one practical session of two to three hours, or six hours of field work--per week for a semester. Ghanaian students are expected to carry 18 credit hours per semester, although students may take fewer with special permission. Final examinations are normally required in every course. The final examination grade contributes 70% of the grades for the course while continuous assessment makes up the other 30%. Final examinations are graded twice--first by the professor of the course, then again by an outside examiner who is an expert in the field. Grades Student performances are graded as follows: Grade Grade Point Interpretation A 4.00 Excellent A- 3.75 Very Good B+ 3.50 Good B 3.00 Above Average B- 2.50 Average C+ 2.00 Pass C 1.50 Pass D 1.00 Fail * F 0-29 Fail * May be counted for credit if not in major field � “I” = incomplete. Students are expected

to complete the course the next time it is available.

� “X” = student did not complete a course for reasons adjudged by the Board of Examiners as unsatisfactory.

� “Y” = grade given when a course continues into the next semester.

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� “Z” = Disqualification from an examination as a result of an examination malpractice or offense.

Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement – Credit hours (the same as U.S. credits).

• A full workload is a minimum of 5

classes per semester.

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HUNGARY Higher Education The arts and sciences universities offer a five-year curriculum, which is divided into graduate and undergraduate levels. Students graduating from these institutions receive accreditation as secondary school teachers, in addition to their subject degree (B.A.). Master's degrees are awarded pending successful exams in three subjects and a foreign language, research and defense of a dissertation. Doctoral degrees are awarded by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Academic Calendar: The academic calendar is usually divided into two semesters: September to December and February to May. Grades 5 excellent A

4 good B

3 average C

2 Pass D

1 Fail F Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: ECTS. Hungarian credits are equivalent to US credits.

• A full workload is 60 ECTS credits

an academic year.

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ICELAND Higher Education There is no general legislation covering higher education as a whole in Iceland. Constitutionally, each higher education institution is directly responsible to the Ministry of Culture and Education. There are two types of higher educational institutions in Iceland: universities and colleges. Universities have research responsibilities and offer more than one program of study. Colleges offer specialized training courses at higher education level, but generally do not carry out research. Their teaching is, however, based on the results of university research. Academic Calendar: The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May. First semester starts either in late August or early September and ends in December. Second semester starts early January and ends late May. Grades 10.0-7.25 A

7.24-6.00 B

5.99-5.50 C

5.49-4.00 D

3.99-0 F Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: ECTS – 1 Icelandic credit = 2ECTS credits.

• 60 ECTS credits are considered to be

a full workload for an academic year.

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ITALY Higher Education There are more than 50 laurea-granting institutions of higher learning in Italy; the majority is state-supported. The main degree conferred is the laurea. Admission: Before entering the university, Italian students take the esame di maturità. University classes in Italy tend to be large as a result of a liberalized admissions policy. Italian students often enroll in many courses and then take exams in only a few of them. Most students study independently for exams. Roll is not taken in class and regular attendance is not really expected, although officially it is required Academic Calendar: The academic year runs from November to July. Most courses run the entire academic year. Course-work is assessed by year-end examination (esame di profitto). Other exams and course assignments may be required as well. Grades Grade U.S 30 A+ 29-27 A 26-24 B 23-21 C 20-18 D/Pass 17-0 Fail

Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credits

• The average number of classes taken per semester is 3, and is considered to be a full workload. Students have an average of 6-8 hours of lecture time per week, per class, per semester. A student taking 3 classes (full load) will spend 18-24 hours per week in class. There are 3 hours of lecture time per week for annual courses.

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JAPAN Higher Education Japanese universities offer four-year bachelor's degrees and six-year medical degrees. Junior colleges offer two-and three-year programs in the humanities that can be used as credit towards a bachelor's degree. Special training schools and technical colleges provide vocational training and advanced college-level courses. Universities are divided into faculties or colleges; each faculty or college is divided into departments and/or courses. Japanese universities require at least 124 credits for graduation. Academic Calendar: The Japanese academic calendar is from April to March, dividing the year into two semesters lasting from April to July and from September to March. Special arrangements are made for ISEP participants to take their exams in December. Grades Grades U.S. Equivalent 100-80 A 79-70 B 69-60 C 59-0 F

Credit Equivalent Unit of Measurement: Credit hours Most students at Chukyo University take approximately 10 classes per year and receive 40 credits in one academic year while the exchange students take the same number of classes, but receive fewer credits. Here is the reason, with an explanation of the Chukyo credit system as follows:

1. One credit is equivalent to 15 hours of class.

2. A period of the class is 2 hours long (classes meet once a week).

3. There are 30 weeks in one academic year.

Therefore, one receives 4 credits per class (2 hours x 30 weeks = 60 hours) after completing one academic year. However, one credit for the language classes, which the exchange students mainly take at Chukyo, is equivalent to 30 hours of class. So, the exchange students receive only 2 credits per class (2 hours x 30 weeks = 60 hours). Thus, the overall credit number earned by the exchange students are less than the credits earned by the regular students although they complete 10 to 12 classes during their stay at Chukyo.

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KOREA Higher Education Higher education in Korea includes universities and colleges that offer undergraduate and some graduate programs; two-year junior colleges; and technical vocational schools. Seventy-eight percent of higher learning institutions are private, funded through gifts and fees. State funds and fees support public institutions. Admission: In order to apply to higher education institutions, a Korean student must complete 12 years of primary and secondary school (the latter may be completed at a technical institution) and receive a secondary school-leaving certificate. Admission depends upon grades and qualifying exams. If admitted to a university or college, a student must then choose a major and be accepted by an individual department, where places are often limited. Academic Calendar: The regular academic year, which runs from March to December, has two terms and only offers courses taught in Korean. Special programs taught in English run on an August- June academic year. Course-work is assessed through exams, essays and class participation Degrees Colleges and universities offer B.A. degrees after four years of study; two additional years in the same subject earn a master's degree; and with three more study years, a doctorate is awarded.

Grades Grade U.S. Equivalent

4.5 A+

4.0 A

3.7 A-

3.3 B+

3.0 B

2.7 B-

2.3 C+

2.0 C

1.7 C-

1.3 D+

1.0 D

0 F Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Hours per week.

• 3 hours of class work per week, for

sixteen weeks will be equivalent to 3 U.S. credits. Eight hours of class lecture per week for six weeks (summer session) will be equivalent to 3 U.S. credits.

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MALTA Higher Education Education is compulsory from ages 5-16. At the secondary school level, there are area and grammar schools, which provide five years of college preparatory courses, and trade schools, which provide three years of practical training. After secondary school, students pursue two years of study prior to entry to university. First-degree programs generally take three years with an additional one to two years for the Honors program, which requires a dissertation. A master's degree requires a further two years of study. Some areas also offer a master's in philosophy and doctoral programs. Grading and assessment at the University of Malta is strict, compared to U.S. universities. The teaching method is done through lectures and tutorials; students are expected to study independently throughout the semester. Assignments and quizzes are not regular, so it is almost impossible for professors to follow students’ progress. Assessment is usually based on attendance and a final exam or paper. Academic Calendar: The academic year runs from September to June.

Grades Grade (US Equivalent) A+, A Excellent B+, B Very good C+, C Good D+, D Pass F Fail Please note that a grade of ‘D’ is quite common in the Maltese grading system, and should be rated higher than the US ‘D’. Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credit hours

• A full workload for an academic year is between 20-24 credits. The average student has 14 hours of lecture per week.

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MEXICO Higher Education After six years of primary education, students can continue in the first three-year phase of secondary education. A student then continues in either an escuela normal for teacher-training; a preparatoria universitaria for the bachillerato, which permits admission to all university faculties; or in a preparatoria técnica for technical training, with further study at a technological institution. Academic Calendar: The academic year is from Early August to May. First semester is from early August to December. Second semester is from early January to May. Degrees After three to five years of higher education, a professional title in engineering, architecture, etc., is given. Similarly, the licenciatura degree is achieved for studies in humanities, social sciences or law. One or two years more are required for the maestria, and two or three more for the doctorado. For the latter, oral examinations and a thesis are required. Papers may be assigned during the semester, but term projects and final exams carry the most weight in assigning grades.

Grades Grade U.S equivalent

100 excellent A+

99-90 very good A

89-80 good B

79-70 average C

less than 70 fail F Failing courses are not usually included on official transcripts. Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Units/credit hours.

• The average number of classes taken by a student per semester is 6. The average student has 30 hours of class lecture per week. 8 units are equivalent to 3 credits at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level, 12 units are equivalent to 3 credits.

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NETHERLANDS Primary & Secondary Education Elementary school (ages 4-12) is mandatory and is followed by secondary education, either in the form of vocational training, high school or gymnasium (pre-university 6-year program). 10 years total compulsory education. Higher Education Admissions: students must have completed the highly selective six-year high school program called the University Preparatory subjects: Dutch, English, French, German, history, geography, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology & physical education. As students have completed their general education courses by the time they enter university, the university curriculum focuses almost exclusively on the student'’ major and field of specialization; of the 168 points required to obtain a ‘doctorandus’ degree, 154 are dedicated to a student’s major, and 14 points to electives. Academic Year: The academic year consists of 1680 study hours (1600 for visiting students), or 42 weeks of full time study, which are equivalent to 40 Dutch credit points: one credit-point equals 40 study hours. Most courses are worth 4 or 8 credits. Student workload refers to the time spent in lectures, practicals, independent study, preparations for examinations & the actual examination. The first year, the propadeuse, is an introductory year to provide the foundation for study in the student’s field. Students are required to pass the propaedeutisch exam in order to continue on to the remaining years of study.

Degrees Doctorandus: 168 points required, equivalent to the Masters degree, officially takes four years to complete. Degrees tend to be very demanding and many students require an additional two years of study to complete their program. The “kandidaats” degree (equivalent to the Bachelors degree) no longer exists. Post-doctoraal: programs of varying length & content. There are one-year teacher training programs, short-term recurrent education programs to upgrade professional expertise; long-term research programs; & four-year research programs leading to the doctoraat degree, also known as the promotie. HBO: Students completing their four-year program in engineering receive the title ingenieur, while all others receive the title Baccalaureus. Students graduating with a Baccalaureus degree may then continue to a university to receive a Doctorandus, or attend a post-HBO program. Grades 10-8.5 outstanding performance A+ 8.4-7.5 very good A 7.4-6.5 good B 6.4-6.0 satisfactory/pass C 5.9-5.5 marginal pass D <5.5 fail F The grades 9 and 10 are rarely given in the Netherlands, and a grade of 6 is considered a satisfactory mark. Grading also tends to be stricter in the Netherlands than in the US.

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Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement – ECTS; • 1 Dutch credit = 1.5 ECTS credits.

1 Dutch credit = 40 study hours. An average course is worth 4 Dutch credits.

• A full workload is about 40 Dutch credits an academic year.

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NICARAGUA Higher Education Higher education is one of the four stages in the Nicaraguan educational system, all of which are linked and coordinated by the National Council for Education. The responsibilities of the higher education system consist of training professionals and advanced-level technicians in the areas of agricultural sciences, medical sciences, national science, mathematics, humanities and technological sciences. The council of higher education is made up of both private and state universities. Admission: On completing the required secondary school program, an entrance examination is required for admission to an institution of higher education. Qualifications (títulos) are awarded upon completion of a plan of study—which may last from three to six years—in professional and higher technical courses. Academic Calendar: The Academic year runs from late February to early December. First semester is from late February to June, while second semester is early August to early December. Grades: Grade U.S. Equivalent

-1 A+

-2 A

-3 B

-4 C

3-0 F

Credit Equivalent:

• Unit of Measurement: Credit hours (equivalent to US credit hours).

• A full course load is 5 classes per semester. 18-20 hours are spent per week in class lectures.

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PHILIPPINES Higher Education About 650 institutions provide higher education in the Philippines: seven state universities, 25 state colleges, 35 private universities and more than 550 private colleges. About 25 foreign nationalities are present in university enrollment: Chinese, American and Thai have the largest representation. Admission: Admission to higher education is based on the secondary school-leaving certificate. In addition, all high school graduates must pass a National Examination (NCEE) for admission to postsecondary academic or professional degree programs. This exam does not ensure admission to a specific institution; further qualifications may be required for specific programs. Academic Calendar: An academic year is from late May to March; semesters are from late May to October and early November to March. Degrees The bachelor's degree requires four to five years of study. In medicine and pharmacy, however, the first degree requires six years of study. Graduate programs, mainly in the field of ‘Teacher Education’, are offered at only a few institutions. Graduate degrees are also offered in the fields of engineering/technology, law, medicine and related health fields, business and the behavioral sciences. The master's degree is generally awarded after two years of study beyond the bachelor's. The doctoral degree requires two to three additional years.

Credits Grade U.S. Equivalent

-1.1.1 A

-1.1.2 B

-1.2 C

3-0 D*

4-0 F *Conditional pass of fail Credit Equivalent:

• Unit of Measurement: Units

• 1 unit of credit corresponds to one hour of lecture/recitation each week for the period of a complete semester. In all courses, 2½ hours to 3 hours of laboratory work. In technical courses, 3 hours of drafting or workshop – is equivalent to 1 hour of lecture/recitation.

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SPAIN Higher Education In Spain, 10 years of general elementary education (Educación primaria and Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria –ESO–) is followed by 2 years of secondary school, which comprises two options: the Bachillerato, which is considered pre-university study, and the Formación Profesional, which is indicated directly for free-lance employment. The University Curriculum, established by the Ministry of National Education, is similar in all universities whether public or private. Spain’s university degree system is divided into three cycles. The first cycle lasts two or three years, the second cycle, two or three further years and the third cycle requires one further year, a master's dissertation, and results in the doctoral degree, which normally takes 5 to 8 years of full-time research. Four/five-year programs are offered in the Faculties (Facultades) of law, sciences and humanities. Programs in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science and professional degrees in engineering and architecture last five/six years. Admission: Admission to a university depends on successful completion of an entrance exam, the Selectividad, which is required of all candidates who apply for a two-cycle degree. Students are admitted to a specific major or professional program upon entrance to the university. The degree of selectivity depends on the program of studies. Admission is based on upper secondary grades and the results of the Selectividad. Academic year: Individual Faculties determine whether the academic year is divided into two terms (cuatrimestres) or

considered one continuous period. The academic year runs September to early June with exams offered in February for the first-term courses and finals in late June and July for annual and second-term courses, which test cumulative knowledge of the entire course. Degrees Diplomado: one-cycle study of three years’ duration.

Licenciado or licenciatura: two-cycle study of four to five years’ duration. Equivalent to 300-350 credits ECTS.

Ingeniero/a: professional title awarded five to six years of study.

Diploma de Estudios Avanzados (DEA): completion of third-cycle studies (one-year of teaching and master's dissertation)

Doctorado: Presentation of the PhD. Grades: Grades are given on a 10-point scale. Grade U.S. Equivalent 10 (matricula de honor) A+ 9-9.9 (sobresaliente) A 7-8.9 (notable) B 5-6.9 (aprobado) C/D < 5 (suspenso) F A score of nine or 10 is considered excellent; seven or eight is very good and six is average. Spanish professors rarely award matricula de honor and on average students receive grades between six and eight. Spanish universities tend to be severe in their grading compared to the U.S. universities, especially in technical programs such as architecture or medicine where it is

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not uncommon that over fifty percent of a class fails. Foreign students are given alumno extraordinario status, which means coursework is recognized by the university even though the students are not seeking a degree. Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credits, equivalent to 10 hours of actual teaching. A full-time academic year in a five-year degree comprises approximately 75 credits.

• A full course workload varies according to number of credits; for example: 6 credits = 2 hours/week in an annual course = 4 hours/week in a term course 9 credits = 3 hours/week in an annual course

11 credits = 4 hours/week

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SWEDEN

Higher Education Slightly more than 30% of young people in Sweden go on to higher education within five years after completion of their upper secondary schooling.

Admissions: The degree of selectivity depends on the program of studies. Admission is based on upper secondary grades and the results of the national university aptitude test. A command of English is a requirement for all applicants. Sometimes working experience is also taken into account. About 140,000 students take the university aptitude test every year, and annual first-time enrollments total about 65,000.

Academic year: The academic year is divided into two 20-week terms. Students take one course at a time for 5 or 10 weeks. Each week of full-time study is equivalent to one point. One academic year normally consists of 40 points. Degrees Diploma or certificate (högskoleexamen): 80 points = 2 years of full-time study

Bachelor’s degree (kandidatexamen): at least 120 points= 3 years of full-time study, including 60 points in the major subject.

Master’s degree (magisterexamen): at least 160 points = 4 years of full-time study; 80 of these points in the major with a thesis counting 20 points.

Advanced degrees: Licentiate degree (2-2 ½ years of research training)

Doctorate: about 4 years of full-time of study and research including dissertation

Grades

VG pass with distinction A

G pass B/C

U/Icke godkendt fail F

* Failing grades are not recorded. Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement – ECTS and points system. 1 Swedish point = 1.5 ECTS. 1 Swedish point = 40 hours.

• 1 Swedish point equals one week of

full-time study of 40 hours. 20 points is one semester of full-time studies, which is approximately 12-15 US credit hours.

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SWITZERLAND Higher Education After 13 years of primary and secondary education, Swiss students earn the maturité/Maturität. Higher education is offered at universities for economics, law, medicine, etc., and at federal polytechnics for fields such as architecture, engineering and agriculture. The universities and institutes are supported by cantons with federal help. French and German are the languages of instruction; some institutions are monolingual, some bilingual. Academic Calendar: An academic year is from mid-October to June. Degrees Higher education differs in each canton. Some faculties award the demi-licence, baccalauréat or Vorprüfung after two to four semesters of study. Six to eight more semesters, with the preparation of a mémoire (oral exam), earns the licence/lizentiat or the diplême. Four to eight further semesters and a thesis are required for the doctorate. Grades: Grade U.S. Equivalent

6 A+

5.5 A

5 B

4.5 C

4 D <4 F

Credit Equivalent:

• Unit of Measurement: Heures/semaine (hours per week).

• A full course load is between 6-8 classes per semester, depending on the institution and the department. Time spent in class is about 20-25 hours per week; 280 hours is the minimum number of hours allowed for a full course load.

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THAILAND Higher Education Higher education in Thailand is both government and privately funded. Admission: Thai students seeking higher education may enter a university, technical institute, vocational college or teacher-training college. After 12 years of primary and secondary education, students obtain a secondary-school leaving certificate and take a national entrance exam to be eligible for admission to institutions of higher education. Coursework focuses on long-term assignments such as term projects, papers and/or final exams. Few exams, quizzes or homework assignments are given during the semester. The student must exercise self-discipline to keep up with readings and class lectures. Academic Calendar: The academic year begins in mid-June and ends with exams in March. Degrees The bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete, but an additional one to two years may be required for certain fields. Graduate education leads to a master's degree after one to two years of study and presentation of a thesis. A doctorate is awarded after an additional two years of graduate study.

Grades Grade U.S. Equivalent

-1 A

-2 B+

-3 B

-4 C+

-5 C

-6 D+

-7 D

3-0 F Credit Equivalent

• Unit of Measurement: Credits (equivalent to US credits).

• An average course load is about 15-

18 credits. One must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits in order to be considered a full-time student.

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UNITED KINGDOM Primary and Secondary Education Primary and Secondary education in the UK can either be through the state system, or through the independent school system. Roughly 93% of the school children attend state schools. Education is compulsory from age 5 through 16. At 16, students take from five to ten General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE) exams. Students pursuing higher education continue their secondary education for two more years, referred to as “sixth form.” In sixth form students prepare to take two to four Advanced Level exams in subjects related to their intended field of study. Students thus enter university studies after thirteen years of education, with the last two quite focused on their degree subject areas. Higher Education Universities in the UK can be divided into the so-called “Old” and “New” universities. The Old universities often tend to focus more on the humanities and social sciences. The New universities were formed in 1992 from existing polytechnic institutions, and are more likely to emphasize technical and business subjects. Admissions: Entry into university study in the UK is very competitive. Universities in the UK operate on a quota system; defining the number of students they can admit each year. At most universities, admission is made directly into a degree program (called a “course”). Different universities require different standards of achievement on the A-level exams - often in specified subjects - for each course.

System of Study: Traditionally, students exercised very little choice in their program once they have selected a course. Courses were made up of a strictly prescribed sequence of ‘modules’ leading to the degree, with few, if any, electives. Increasingly UK universities are ‘modularizing’ their degree courses, including broader scope for students to choose the modules they take. Because of the structure of secondary education in the UK, students begin at a more advanced level than first year students in American universities. Basic subjects especially, are often not taught at what would be considered “introductory” level in the U.S. The basic first degree in the UK is the Bachelor’s degree with Honors (e.g. BA Hons, BSc Hons). Most Honors degrees require three years of university study. It is also possible to study for a Higher National Diploma (HND), normally a two-year course in a scientific, technical or business subject. After completing an HND students can earn an Honors degree after an additional year of study. After the first degree, UK universities offer a wide range of Master’s programs, as well as Doctorate degrees. Scotland Scotland operates its own system of education. In most respects, it is comparable to the system elsewhere in the UK, except for a few notable differences. Instead of the GCSE, Scottish students complete Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) (“Standard Grade”) exams. After the Standard Grade exams, Scottish students take SCE Higher Certificate exams, which require only one

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year of additional study, instead of two for British A-levels. Scottish students enter university a year earlier, and Scottish university degrees usually require four instead of three years of study. Scottish universities are characterized by more breadth of study, especially in the first year or two, and require less initial specialization. Grades Degrees in the United Kingdom are classified as First, Upper Second, Lower Second or Third Class, or Ordinary. These classes are determined by the percentage marks for the student’s modules. The percentage ranges for each degree class vary from institution to institution. Individual modules on the transcript carry only the percentage mark. Here is a typical grading scale: Degree Class %Mark U.S First 70-100 A Upper Second 60-69 A-/B+ Lower Second 50-59 B Third 40-49 B- Pass 39-30 C Fail < 30 F The lower end of the scale may vary regarding what constitutes a bare minimal pass. Some institutions may award such a pass to scores of 35-39, others may require 40. In England such a pass usually earns a degree without the “Honors” designation. The distribution of the degree awards also can vary, but usually no more than five

percent of the class will earn a First Class award. When converting these grades into the American system there must be some discretion, particularly at the edges of the various grade ranges, and evaluators should consider the actual percentage mark received by the student for the course; the scale used by the host institution, and what is defined as a bare minimal pass should also be taken into account. Credit Equivalents

• Unit of Measurement - Modules. Credits in the U.K system are not equivalent to U.S. credits.

• Individual modules may carry from 5

to 40 credits each. A full time student will normally carry 60 credits/semester; 120/year.

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URUGUAY Higher Education Admission: Access to higher education in Uruguay depends only upon presentation of a bachillerato, which indicates completion of the secondary school preparatory cycle. There is no entrance exam. The two-year preparatory cycle follows the basic four years of secondary school and is oriented specifically toward the area of study that the student will pursue at the university level. The university is composed of facultades, analogous to academic departments in the U.S. system. Facultades, however, tend to be fairly autonomous in their administration. Academic Calendar: Uruguay follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar. The academic year runs from March to November. Degrees Degrees offered include the licenciado and professional titles. All degrees are awarded upon completion of four to five years of study, depending on the discipline.

Grades Grade U.S. Equivalent

D (Deficiente) Fail

R (Regular) Fair

B (Bueno) Good

MB (muy bueno) Very good

S (sobresaliente) Excellent Uruguayan universities tend to be more severe in their grading than in the U.S. and a mark of S ‘Sobresaliente’ is awarded less frequently. Credit Equivalents There is no system of credits used in Uruguay.

• A full workload per semester is four to five courses. Courses from the regular curriculum average about 45 hours per semester. Spanish language for foreign students is more intensive and is approximately 67.5 hours per semester.