Higher education institutions in Flanders operate a full-fledged credit system based on ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Each course unit carries a minimum of 3 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit equals 25 to 30 hours of study.

Course units are independent components for which students may enrol according to their own choice and time, taking into account the semester-based system and assessment. Students can opt for a standard learning path of 60 ECTS credits per year, for a part-time learning path, or for an individual learning path adjusted to their specific needs. Students can obtain exemptions from course units based on credits acquired elsewhere and on competencies acquired outside a formal learning context. These competencies are assessed by the institutions.

Important notice for foreign students
Students from countries not belonging to the European Economic Region (EER) and requesting a residential permit can only register for a full-time diploma contract. They will not be granted a residential permit upon attempting to obtain any other type of registration (a part-time or individual trajectory diploma contract, a credit contract or an exam contract).