As a UK student, we understand that you might be concerned about your academic credits transferring back to your home university after studying abroad. Don’t worry! We’re here to help.
This guide will explain how to transfer any US academic credit you earn while studying abroad with us.
How to Transfer Your Credits
Bringing your US academic credits back to your UK university is usually a smooth process.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Talk to your tutor
Before you head off, have a chat with your tutor at your UK university. They can explain how your university handles credit transfers and help you pick courses that will likely transfer.
2. Understand the CATS / ECTS system
The UK uses the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). It’s a good idea to get familiar with how CATS credits work. One credit equals 10 hours of learning (including tuition, assessment and self-guided study). This will help you understand how your US credits might translate to your UK degree.
Some universities use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation Scheme (ECTS), in which one credit equals 20 hours of learning. Therefore, 10 ECTS would be equivalent to 20 CATS.
Generally, 4 CATS (2 ECTS) is worth 1 Academic Credit.
It is a good idea to check what your university uses before you apply and to understand the value of 1 US Academic Credit transferred via CATS or ECTS. You should also check for any variations, depending on whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
3. Check course equivalency
Make sure the courses you take with Projects Abroad matches up with your degree programme back in the UK. Your tutor can help you with this.
4. Get your US transcripts
We’ll send you your official US transcripts once you’ve finished your Study Abroad programme. These show the courses you took, your grades, and the credits you earned.
5. Submit your transcripts to your UK university
Send your US transcripts to your UK university’s admissions or registrar’s office. They’ll take a look and decide which credits will transfer.
Tips for a smooth transfer
- Pre-approval: It’s a good idea to get your courses pre-approved by your UK university before you start your Study Abroad programme. This can help ensure a smooth transfer process.
- Course Selection: Choose courses that align with your degree programme and have learning outcomes similar to those offered at your UK university.
- Keep Detailed Records: Keep copies of course syllabi, assignments, and grades to support your credit transfer application.
By following these steps and working closely with your tutor, you should be able to easily transfer your US credits and continue your studies in the UK without any problems.
