European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

What is ECTS?
ECTS, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System*, is a system prepared by the European Commission with a view to enabling and facilitating inter-university exchange of students, as well as determining the principles of recognition of courses of study completed in other countries or at a different domestic institution of higher education. ECTS scoring defines student workload needed for the student to be awarded a credit for a particular course of study. Under the Ordinance of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of
3 October 2006 on Students’ Achievements Transfer Terms and Procedure, ECTS has now also become a system for accumulating individual credits.

* Until 2004 the system was known as the European Credit Transfer System, hence the acronym ECTS. Despite a change in the system name, the decision was made to keep the original abbreviation.

ECTS credits
ECTS credits are allocated to individual subjects and describe an absolute student workload (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc., home or library work) in terms of time employed to complete a course or course unit. The workload required to complete a semester corresponds to 30 credits. A subject is allocated a number of credits corresponding to student workload needed to complete a given course, on the assumption that 1 credit is equivalent to a TOTAL workload of 25-30 hours. The accumulation by a student of an appropriate number of credits forms a basis for a successful completion of a semester (year) of study. The credit system does not eliminate the existing grading system; grades are still used to assess the student’s knowledge.

Transfer of learning outcomes
As part of the Erasmus programme, students study at the host university under an earlier Learning Agreement. The Agreement should specify the period of stay and the courses to be attended by the student while abroad whose learning outcomes will be recognised by the appropriate Dean as corresponding to those which should have been achieved in accordance with the curriculum of the original university. For each successfully completed course the student receives a grade and an appropriate number of credits. After their return, the students’ learning outcomes achieved by completing specific courses abroad are officially recognised and entered in their register/record.
Students may participate in the exchange system if they satisfy the requirements agreed by the two universities. They retain the rights held by students of their own university, including the right to grants and scholarships. Erasmus scholarship holders may not be charged for studying at the host institution.The length of stay at the host university should be between three months and one academic year.
The exchange system is open to students who have successfully completed the first year of study of a 1st cycle programme.

The most important information about The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław:

• Contacts
• Campus
• History
• Activity
• Field of studies
• International cooperation

The Academy’s educational, artistic and scientific activities are supported by the following organisationally separate units:

• The Main Library
• Publishing House
• The Audiovisual Studio with a Recording Studio, a Music-and-Computer Room and a Sound Library
• The School of Foreign Languages
• The Teacher Training School
• The Office for Promotion and Events

Practicalities:

• Studies
• Erasmus+
• The Academy’s grading system. The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław is registered in the EGRACONS grade conversion system.

• Financial assistance
  The Academy offers the following forms of financial assistance to students participating in the courses on the principles applicable to Polish citizens:
  ● the Rector’s scholarships for learning achievements (offered to not more than 10% of the students of a given field of study),
  ● regular maintenance grants or increased maintenance grants,
  ● grants for disabled students,
  ● one-off aid.
  Other students may apply to the Polish government for a grant to finance the costs of their course.
   
• Cost of living
  Poland’s legal currency is the Polish zloty. The current rate of exchange is announced by the National Bank of Poland (Narodowy Bank Polski). The monthly cost of living amounts to 600 EUR.
   
• Accommodation and food
  Students rent private lodgings (rooms or flats) on their own. On the Academy’s premises there is a cafeteria. The city has many student canteens, bars and restaurants.
   
• Medical care
  Polish students are provided with medical care outside the Academy in accordance with Polish regulations. National health insurance (ZUS) contributions due for students of up to 26 years of age are paid by their parents. Contributions for students who are over 26 years old are paid by the Academy (at the student’s request). Students choose the outpatient clinic whose services they want to use.
  Foreign students who are citizens of EU member states or hold a valid Pole’s Card are eligible for freeof-charge medical care to the extent equivalent to that available to Polish nationals. In order to be able to exercise the above right, before leaving his/her own country the student must obtain an appropriate certificate, as required by the internal regulations of that country.
  Medical care to nationals of other countries is provided by all health care establishments on a full payment basis. A student can also arrange private medical cost insurance in Poland or his/her own country (see: Health).
   
• Facilities for the handicapped
  The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław offers various facilities for handicapped students. At the main entrance to Building A there is a platform lift for people on wheelchairs. One of the entrances to Building D is level with the outside pavement. Access to the higher section of the ground floor in Building D (two teaching rooms) and level -1 in the same building (a cafeteria) is also possible by means of a special lift. The Academy’s internal parking lot has several parking spaces reserved for the handicapped. Some toilets in Buildings A and D have been adapted for use by the handicapped.
  Building E is also adapted for use by people on wheelchairs. Its ground floor is level with the outside pavement and so a wheelchair user can enter it with ease. Each floor is accessible by lift and physically handicapped students are able to reach any place within the building with no trouble. There is a specially adapted toilet on each floor as well as designated places for wheelchair users in the concert hall.
  Handicapped students are able to draw their grants and scholarships directly at the Academy. Because of the very nature of sound and music, and of the educational system adopted, studying at the Academy is particularly accessible to people with sight deficiencies.
  Additional information regarding the handicapped is available from Rector’s Representative for Disabled Persons: Dr Paweł Cylulko, e-mail: pawel.cylulko@amuz.wroc.pl.
   
• Student life
  Students are represented in the Academy authorities through the Academy Students’ Self-Governing Council. It acts as an intermediary between the Rector and the students, and it also deals with students’ welfare and wellbeing. Five students participate in the Academy of Music Senate sessions, with the right to speak. Furthermore, the Students’ Self-Governing Council organises many cultural events throughout the academic year. The Academy boasts students’ scientific societies.