Due to the integrated and joint nature of the programme, the adoption of European Credit System has been specifically designed as a system for credit accumulation, rather than a comparison of distributed teaching offers and transfer of learning outcomes. By conceptualizing the academic year not exclusively in terms of time, but in terms of earned credits, the system allows for flexibly meeting the needs of full-time and part-time research trainees.

In line with the policy recommended by EU DG-Education and Culture, the European Ph.D. adopted the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) as an instrument for creating transparency and confidence in academic performance.

Research trainees are awarded up to 60 credits per year (20 for courses and didactic activities and 40 for research quality and related bibliographic knowledge).

The didactic structure within this overall strategy is highly innovative. As the system of open distance learning makes clear, European Ph.D. research trainees are involved in an interlocking system of virtual and physical mobility which allows for considerable flexibility in catering to research trainees’ needs while at the same time guaranteeing individual tutoring and interactive learning:

 

E.C.T.S. system of credit FOR THE EURO PHD ON S.R. & C.

20 for courses and didactic activities	10 credits per year		international summer schools
	5 credits per year		seminars and courses
	5 credits per year		multi-media and distance interactive learning; transferable skills
40 for research each year =	30 credits per year		advanced research training
	10 credits per year		bibliographic knowledge
60 total credits in a year x 3 years = 180 total credits for complete curriculum