ECTS credits are based on the workload that students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks.
Curriculum development studies were carried out in the frame of the “Application of Bologna Process” at Nigde Omer Halisdemir University. As a first step, Programme Learning Outcomes (Qualifications) for each academic programme were determined to meet the requirements of “National Qualification Framework”. In addition, course learning outcomes, teaching methods, and assessment & grading methods were determined for each course to meet the Programme Learning Outcomes.
The allocation of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits to course units has been based on the student workload required to achieve the learning outcomes of the course units. The ECTS credits reflect the quantity of student work that each course unit requires in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to successfully complete a course. The allocation of ECTS is based on a full student workload and not limited to contact hours only. The student work load includes lectures, laboratory study, preparation of projects, practical work, seminars, presentation, tutorials, homework, fieldwork, private study and examinations or other activities.
At Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, each course has specific learning outcomes and ECTS credits as defined in the course description forms/ course syllabuses. Each course is designed as matching with the programme outcome(s) under which they are being offered. Learning outcomes were prepared by the coordinators of the courses.

ECTS credits of the courses have been allocated through 4 steps;

1. Allocation of ECTS credits by course coordinator (The student work load of the course is indicated in the course description form in detail)
2. Approval of the ECTS credit by Programme Director (Control of the match with programme outcomes and the proportional distribution among the other courses offered in the same programme)
3. Confirmation of the ECTS credits by students through the online questionnaires applied at the end of each semester for each course.
4. Revision of ECTS credits by harmonizing the feedback received from the course coordinators’ and students’ in 3 years time

In this regard, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University is very keen to organize seminars on “ECTS Credits” for its students and faculty members in order to increase their awareness on the issue and to increase the reliability of the questionnaires for better results.
At Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, two types of credits, national credit and ECTS, were used for each course starting 2007-2008 academic year till 2010-2011 academic year. The ECTS credits were revised in 2010-2011 academic year in the frame of the “Application of Bologna Process” to meet course learning outcomes and student workload in line with Programme Learning Outcomes. As of today, only ECTS is used in the University.
At Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, 60 ECTS credits are allocated to the workload of a full academic year, and 30 ECTS credits per semester. Student workload is 1500-1800 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of work. An example of ECTS credits allocation is illustrated below. 

CALCULATION OF WORKLOAD AND ECTS CREDITS

TOTAL WORKLOAD : 134
Total Workload / 25 :  5.36
Course’s ECTS Credits :  5.0