What are college credits and how do they work? Complete guide for students

Starting college means dealing with many new concepts, and one of the most important is understanding what college credits are. Terms such as ECTS, college credits, or how many credits I need to graduate come up constantly, but they are not always explained clearly.

In this article, we explain what ECTS credits are, how credits work at university, and what they are used for, with practical examples that will help you better organize your academic and personal time.

University credits are a way of measuring the total amount of time a student spends working on a subject. They include not only class hours, but also:

• Personal study
• Assignments and practical work
• Exam preparation
• Tutorials and projects

When we talk about ECTS credits, we are referring to the European Credit Transfer System. So, if you are wondering what ECTS is or what ECTS means, the answer is simple:

1 ECTS credit is equivalent to between 25 and 30 hours of total student work.

Understanding what ECTS means is key to understanding how your university degree is structured. This system serves to:

• Unify studies in Europe
• Facilitate Erasmus programs and international mobility
• Recognize subjects between universities
• Measure the actual workload of students

Thanks to ECTS credits, you can change universities or study in another city without losing subjects you have already passed.

If you are considering studying outside your city, it is also a good idea to find out where to live. On the StepHouse homepage, you can see which university cities have residences and choose the one that best suits your degree or master’s program:

Each subject is assigned a specific number of credits according to its workload. This answers the common question of how credits work at university.

Common examples:

• Semester course: 6 ECTS credits
• Year-long course: 9 or 12 ECTS credits
• Final Degree Project: 6–12 ECTS credits

The maximum number of credits per year is usually 60 ECTS, which is the recommended workload for a full academic year.

One of the most frequently asked questions is the equivalence between hours and ECTS credits. Here is a clear and useful table:

This equivalence includes all academic activities, not just face-to-face classes.

In Spain, most university degrees require:

• A total of 240 ECTS credits
• Spread over 4 academic years
• Approximately 60 credits per year

Knowing how many credits you need to graduate allows you to better plan your efforts and avoid unnecessary overload.

If you are going to study away from home, having an environment adapted to the university rhythm is key. At StepHouse, you can check out the services included in their residences, designed for students who spend many hours studying and need comfort and tranquility:

University credits are used to:

• Measure academic progress
• Organize the curriculum
• Facilitate course recognition
• Plan student time
• Establish graduation requirements

Understanding what ECTS credits are used for helps you balance study, rest, and social life.

Although credits organize your degree, your university experience goes far beyond that. Living in a residence where you can study, relax, and socialize makes everyday life much easier.

At StepHouse, in addition to accommodation, students can enjoy social, sporting, and cultural activities that help them disconnect from their studies and build a community.

It is the unit that measures the total time a student spends working on a subject.

These are the credits used in European universities. Each ECTS credit is equivalent to 25–30 hours of work.

Normally, 240 ECTS credits in a university degree.

Knowing what university credits are, what ECTS means, and how they work will allow you to better organize your degree program, your time, and your personal life. And if you are also studying in another city, choosing where to live wisely can make a big difference in your performance and well-being.