Credits and Grading System
Credits
ECTS credits system is used in Lithuania since September 1, 2011. 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year and one credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours. Student workload is the time necessary to complete all planned learning activities (contact hours, independent study, exercises, research and/or other assignments). One academic year equals to 1600 student work hours.
Credits can be obtained only after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved.
The use of credit system is essential element for a study programme accreditation and registration.
Depending on internal university regulations and programme requirements students may choose courses at other faculties or study programmes within their own institution or even at other establishments of higher education. The credits earned are recognized in accordance with the regulations adopted by the university. Credits earned from non-formal sector of learning may be recognized as well. The decision rests with the board of the particular study programme.
Mobile students of Vilnius University are granted automatic recognition of credits obtained at partner institution provided that all the requirements stipulated in the Learning Agreement have been fulfilled.
Grading scale at Vilnius University
Two evaluation systems run side by side at Vilnius University since September 1, 1993: ten-point system and pass/fail system. Examinations and work defence evaluations are graded, 5 and higher being a passing grade and 4 and lower - a failing grade. The courses that do not end with examinations use the pass/fail system to test if a student has earned the credits allocated to it. A student passes when he/she proves that he/she assimilated not less than 50% of required knowledge scope.stipulated in the Learning Agreement have been fulfilled.
|
Pass/fail system |
Marking system |
Definition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | 10 (Excellent) | Excellent performance, outstanding knowledge and skills | |
| 9 (Very good) | Strong performance, good knowledge and skills | ||
| 8 (Good) | Above the average performance, knowledge and skills | ||
| 7 (Highly satisfactory) | Average performance, knowledge and skills with unessential shortcomings | ||
| 6 (Satisfactory) | Below average performance, knowledge and skills with substantial shortcomings | ||
| 5 (Sufficient) | Knowledge and skills meet minimum criteria | ||
| Fail | 4, 3, 2, 1 (Insufficient) | Knowledge and skills do not meet minimum criteria/below minimum criteria | |
ECTS grading table
To facilitate the understanding and comparison of grades given according to different national and/or institutional systems a tool to provide additional information on an institutional grading has been developed in the framework of ECTS. The ECTS grading table helps to interpret student performance relative to other students within the same grading system. ECTS suggests providing information on statistical distribution of local grades within the programme. Thus local grading scale combined with statistical data on students‘ performance should provide transparent information for staff responsible for conversion of grades.
For the incoming exchange students Vilnius University provides statistical distribution of local grades within the faculties (see an example of the explanation on the Transcript of Academic Records issued to incoming Exchange student). Therefore, no fixed conversion table of local grades into ECTS ranks can be produced as local grading traditions vary from faculty to faculty and even from programme to programme.