Credits, in an educational context, are units used to measure academic progress and achievement. They represent the amount of time and effort a student is expected to dedicate to a particular course or program. The credit system is widely used in higher education institutions around the world, although the specific implementation can vary between countries and even between institutions within the same country.

Key aspects of credits include:

1. Quantification of Learning: Credits provide a standardized way to quantify academic work and learning outcomes.
2. Course Weighting: They indicate the relative importance or complexity of a course within a program.
3. Degree Requirements: The number of credits required for degree completion is typically specified by the institution.
4. Transfer of Learning: Credits can often be transferred between institutions, facilitating student mobility.
5. Academic Progress Tracking: They help in monitoring a student‘s progress towards degree completion.
6. Workload Indication: Credits give an estimate of the time and effort required for a course.

Common credit systems:

1. Semester Credit Hours (US System):
   • Typically, one credit represents one hour of classroom instruction per week over a semester.
   • A full-time student usually takes 12-15 credits per semester.
   • A bachelor’s degree typically requires 120-130 credits.
2. European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):
   • Used in the European Higher Education Area.
   • One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.
   • A bachelor’s degree typically requires 180-240 ECTS credits.
3. UK Credit Framework:
   • One credit is typically equivalent to 10 hours of learning time.
   • A full-time undergraduate year is usually 120 credits.
4. Quarter Credit System:
   • Used by some institutions in the US, where the academic year is divided into quarters.
   • One quarter credit is typically equivalent to 2/3 of a semester credit.