Institutional Accreditation and

Transfer Credits

Learn how your credit abroad can transfer back home

(If you’re looking for Program Accreditation information, jump to that section here.)

We know that determining how credit will transfer is an essential part of the application process for students, parents, and advisors. To minimize any potential stress, we have compiled some guidelines to follow to facilitate credit transfer from our host institutions abroad (listed below by country).

Your home university will dictate whether or not you can receive credit for courses taken on an API program. Every university operates differently, and many require that you seek approval for each class by submitting a course description or syllabus to the department head at your university. Start by asking your study abroad or academic advising office if API is an approved program and what the process is for transferring credits.

Argentina

API’s university partners in Argentina structure courses in terms of contact hours. The number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor.

At the Universidad de Belgrano, each contact hour is equivalent to 45 minutes, rather than the standard 50 minutes in the United States. API recommends the number of credit hours to be awarded per course by translating the total number of Argentine contact hours into U.S.
contact hours.

At the Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT), each contact hour is 40 minutes. The majority of UTDT classes meet for a total of 68 Argentine contact hours. API generally recommends that these UTDT courses be transferred as the equivalent of 4 U.S. semester credits.

At the Universidad de Salvador, each contact hour is 60 minutes. The majority of courses meet three times per week, for eighteen weeks, for a total of 54 hours per course (generally equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits). Some courses may have as few as 36 total hours (generally equivalent to 2-3 U.S. semester credits) or as many as 108 hours (7-8 U.S. semester credits).

Australia

Griffith University (Brisbane/the Gold Coast) in Australia operates on a credit ‘point’ system. A typical course at Griffith is equal to 10 credit points. Full-time status is 40 credits (typically 4 subjects). 1 subject at Griffith University is equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits or 4-6 U.S. quarter credits.

Macquarie University (Sydney) operates on a credit ‘point’ system. Credit values per course at Macquarie may vary (generally, 3 credit points equals 4 U.S. semester credits), so students should be sure to check equivalencies with their home university in order to maintain their full-time enrollment. Students will select 3-4 courses for a total of 9-12 credit points, or approximately 12-16 U.S. semester credits.

Bhutan

While API’s standard credit conversion practice is to assign one U.S. semester credit for every 15 contact hours, most courses in Thimphu at Royal Thimphu College (RTC) are worth 12 RTC credits. These credits are calculated as follows: 1 RTC credit equals 10 hours of study (consisting equally of in-class contact hours and self-study hours). This equates to a total of 120 hours per course, and 60 in-class contact hours, or 4 U.S. semester credits. Students typically take 3 courses and one transcripted internship for a total of 16 U.S. semester credits.

Chile

API’s university partners in Chile operate according to the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, similarly, divide the Chilean contact hours in a given course by 15.

China

The Global China Program at East China Normal University (ECNU) offers a credit structure which is identical to the majority of North American universities and colleges. Course contents are carefully designed to meet the requirements of North American universities and colleges, and courses are generally 3 U.S. semester credits each.

The Chinese Language Semester Program operates on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. ECNU calculates contact hours differently than many of our other partners, and it is our recommendation that students in the Standard Track expect to transfer 12 U.S. semester credits, while students in the Intensive Track can expect to transfer up to 18 U.S. semester credits.

Costa Rica

The International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) issues credit according to the American system; the majority of courses are equivalent to 3 U.S. semester credits. Some language courses meet for a total of 60 contact hours and are equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits.

The Instituto San Joaquín de Flores and the Universidad Veritas both operate on the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of Costa Rican contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours per course by 15. Almost all courses at the Instituto are the equivalent of 3 U.S. semester credits.

At the Universidad Veritas, elective courses vary between 3 and 4 U.S. semester credits and language courses can equate to 3-5 U.S. semester credits.

Croatia

The University of Dubrovnik issues credit according to the American system, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits each.

Cuba

The Universidad de La Habana operates on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

England

The University of Leeds operates on the British credit system. Two British credits are equal to 1 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credit, which in turn is worth 0.5 U.S. credits; in other words, to determine U.S. semester credit equivalency from British credits, divide by 4. A full-time workload at Leeds is generally around 60 British credits per semester, (or approximately 30 ECTS, or 15 U.S. semester credits). As modules (courses) at the University of Leeds can equate to varying amounts of U.S. credit hours, all students should verify that they will complete the required amount of credit for their home university upon their arrival. It is advised that students choose at least one alternate for every module selected for pre-approval from their home university, to ensure that they have a full course load should there be any cancellations, time conflicts, etc. Students usually complete 3-4 modules per term, each valued at 10–20 British credits.

Florida State University’s London Study Center is accredited by Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and issues credit according to the American system, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits each.

The colleges that make up the University of the Arts, London – or UAL – (including Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, and Wimbledon College of Arts) has offered recommendations for converting its alpha grades to American grades. Students who have enrolled full-time receive 40 credits at UAL each term. API recommends a conversion of 3 U.S. semester credits for every 10 UAL credit hours (e.g., a course representing 20 UAL credits would be awarded 6 U.S. semester credits on the API translation.)

Students at University College London (UCL) take up to 16 U.S. credits per semester. Course credits at UCL are determined based on how many “units” they are worth. Most UCL courses are worth .5, 1, or 2 units, and a UCL unit is the equivalent of 8 U.S. semester credits – in other words, a .5 unit course is worth 4 U.S. semester credits; a 1 unit course is worth 8 U.S. semester credits.

Students at the University of Westminster who are enrolled full-time receive a total of 60 UK credits (the equivalent of 12 U.S. semester credits or 30 ECTS credits) in one semester. Students generally complete 3 modules per semester (with a 4th semester module available for an additional fee), or 1 module per summer, as the majority of modules are worth 20 UK credits (the equivalent of 4 U.S. semester credits or 10 ECTS credits) each.

France

Most API partner universities in France operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Parsons Paris is the European campus of The New School, an innovative university based in New York City. The Registrar’s Office at Parsons (NY) issues credit according to the American system, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits each.

Hungary

Corvinus University of Budapest operates on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits.

Iceland

Reykjavík University operates on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits.

Ireland

API partner universities in Ireland operate on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits.

Italy

API partner universities in Italy issue credit according to the American system, whereby most courses are worth 3-4 U.S. semester credits each.

New Zealand

API partner universities in New Zealand operate on a credit ‘point’ system. Courses in New Zealand are commonly referred to as “papers.” The credit point weight per paper varies from 15-20, depending on the course with 18 credit points most common. Generally speaking, one 18 point paper is generally equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits. Most students take 3-4 papers per semester for 54-72 credit points per semester or 12-16 U.S. semester credits. Given that point values vary, the way in which credits completed abroad will transfer to a student’s home campus will be under the discretion of the student’s home institution, and should be verified in advance.

Poland

Jagiellonian University in Krakow operates on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2.

Portugal

Both the Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (ISCTE) and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA) in Lisbon operate on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits.

Scotland

Both Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) and the University of Stirling (Stirling) operate on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF); however, each interprets the credit translation slightly differently.

At Heriot-Watt University, students are encouraged to take 60 SCQF credits per semester. Each course is normally worth 15 SCQF credits, meaning that students would take four courses per semester. Heriot-Watt recommends that each course is roughly equivalent to 3.75 U.S. semester credits (if students are taking 30 U.S. semester credits in an academic year).

At the University of Stirling, students are also encouraged to take 60 SCQF credits per semester; however, Stirling advises that each course is roughly the equivalent of 5 U.S. semester credits. 3 Stirling modules (60 SCQF) is considered a full-semester load.

The University of Edinburgh operates on a different system than the other two API locations in Scotland. Most courses at U. Edinburgh are worth 20 “Edinburgh” credits. 20 Edinburgh credits are roughly equivalent to 10 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), or approximately 5 U.S. semester credits. Students should aim to take 60 Edinburgh credits per semester. Three Edinburgh modules (60 Edinburgh credits or 15 U.S. semester credits) is considered a full semester load.

 

South Korea

Transfer Credit: 
Most courses offered at Korea University are equal to 3 US credits and 45 total contact hours per term. The final allocation of credits is determined by the student’s home university and is generally based on the total number of contact hours for each course, subject to their discretion.

 

 

Spain

Most API partner universities in Spain operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Suffolk University (Madrid), which is a branch of the U.S. university by the same name located in Boston, MA, issues credit as U.S. university credits.

Florida State University (Valencia), which is a branch of the U.S. university by the same name located in Tallahassee, Florida, issues credit as U.S. university credits.

Universidad Nebrija (Madrid) and Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Seville) operate on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2, whereby most courses are worth 3 U.S. credits.

UAE

The American University of Sharjah issues credit according to the American system, whereby most courses are worth 3-4 U.S. semester credits each. 

 

Program Accreditations

 
Art and Architecture Accreditations

NAAB – National Architectural Accrediting Board

  • New Zealand, Auckland: AUT University
  • Spain, Madrid: Universidad CEU San Pablo
  • U.A.E., Sharjah: American University of Sharjah
Business Accreditations

AACSB – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

  • Australia, Gold Coast- Griffith University – Gold Coast
  • Australia, Sydney- Macquarie University
  • Australia, Sydney- UNSW
  • Chile, Santiago- Universidad Adolfo Ibañez: Santiago
  • Chile, Vina del Mar- Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez: Viña del Mar
  • Czech Republic, Prague- VSE University of Economics
  • England, Leeds- University of Leeds
  • England, London- FSU London Study Centre
  • England, London- Kingston University London
  • England, London- Richmond American University London
  • France, Grenoble- Grenoble École de Management
  • France, Paris- Paris School of Business
  • Hungary, Budapest- Corvinus University of Budapest
  • Ireland, Dublin- University College Dublin
  • Ireland, Dublin- Trinity College Dublin
  • Ireland, Galway- University of Galway
  • Ireland, Limerick- University of Limerick
  • Italy, Rome- John Cabot University
  • New Zealand, Auckland- University of Auckland
  • New Zealand, Auckland- AUT University
  • New Zealand, Dunedin- University of Otago
  • New Zealand, Wellington- Victoria University of Wellington
  • New Zealand, Wellington- Massey University – Wellington
  • Portugal, Lisbon- Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (ISCTE)
  • Scotland, Edinburgh- University of Edinburgh
  • South Korea, Seoul- Korea University
  • Spain, Barcelona- ESADE Business School
  • Spain, Bilbao- Universidad de Deusto
  • Spain, Madrid- Suffolk University
  • Spain, Valencia- FSU Valencia Study Center
  • U.A.E., Sharjah- American University of Sharjah

AMBA – Association of MBAs

  • Argentina, Buenos Aires: Universidad Torcuato Di Tella
  • Australia, Sydney: Macquarie University
  • Chile, Santiago: Universidad Adolfo Ibañez: Santiago
  • Chile, Vina del Mar: Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez: Viña del Mar
  • England, Leeds: University of Leeds
  • England, London: Kingston University London
  • France, Grenoble: Grenoble École de Management
  • France, Paris: Paris School of Business
  • Hungary, Budapest: Corvinus University of Budapest
  • Iceland, Reykjavik: Reykjavík University
  • Ireland, Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
  • Ireland, Limerick: University of Limerick
  • New Zealand, Auckland: University of Auckland
  • New Zealand, Wellington: Massey University – Wellington
  • New Zealand, Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington
  • Portugal, Lisbon: Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (ISCTE)
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh
  • South Korea, Seoul: Korea University
  • Spain, Barcelona: ESADE Business School
  • Spain, Barcelona: Universitat Pompeu Fabra

EQUIS – The European Foundation for Management Development, Quality Improvement System

  • Australia, Brisbane: Griffith University – Brisbane
  • Australia, Gold Coast: Griffith University – Gold Coast
  • Australia, Sydney: UNSW
  • Chile, Santiago: Universidad Adolfo Ibañez: Santiago
  • Chile, Vina del Mar: Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez: Viña del Mar
  • Czech Republic, Prague: VSE University of Economics
  • England, Leeds: University of Leeds
  • France, Grenoble: Grenoble École de Management
  • France, Paris: Université Paris Dauphine
  • Ireland, Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
  • Ireland, Dublin: University College Dublin
  • Ireland, Limerick: University of Limerick
  • New Zealand, Auckland: AUT University
  • New Zealand, Auckland: University of Auckland
  • New Zealand, Dunedin: University of Otago
  • New Zealand, Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington
  • Portugal, Lisbon: Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (ISCTE)
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh
  • South Korea, Seoul: Korea University
  • Spain, Barcelona: ESADE Business School

EPAS – The European Foundation for Management Development

  • Australia, Brisbane: Griffith University – Brisbane
  • Australia, Gold Coast: Griffith University – Gold Coast
  • England, London: Kingston University London
  • France, Paris: Paris School of Business
  • Hungary, Budapest: Corvinus University of Budapest
  • Iceland, Reykjavik: Reykjavík University
  • Ireland, Galway: University of Galway
Engineering Accreditations

ABET – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

  • Ireland – Dublin – University College Dublin
  • UAE – Sharjah – American University of Sharjah

Seoul Accord

  • Australia, Sydney: UNSWralia, Brisbane: Griffith University – Brisbane
  • Australia, Gold Coast: Griffith University – Gold Coast
  • Australia, Sydney: Ma
  • England, Leeds: University of Leeds
  • England, London: Kingston University London
  • England, London: The University of Westminster
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: Heriot-Watt University
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh
  • South Korea, Seoul: Korea University

Washington Accord

  • Australia, Brisbane: Griffith University – Brisbane
  • Australia, Gold Coast: Griffith University – Gold Coast
  • Australia, Sydney: Macquarie University
  • Australia, Sydney: UNSW
  • England, Leeds: University of Leeds
  • England, London: Kingston University London
  • England, London: The University of Westminster
  • Ireland, Dublin: Maynooth University
  • Ireland, Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
  • Ireland, Dublin: University College Dublin
  • Ireland, Galway: University of Galway
  • Ireland, Limerick: University of Limerick
  • New Zealand, Auckland: AUT University
  • New Zealand, Auckland: University of Auckland
  • New Zealand, Wellington: Massey University – Wellington
  • New Zealand, Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: Heriot-Watt University
  • Scotland, Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh
  • Scotland, Stirling: University of Stirling
  • South Korea, Seoul: Korea University

U.S. Regional Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  • England, London: Richmond American University London
  • France, Cannes: Parsons Cannes – ESRA Film School
  • France, Paris: Parsons Paris – The New School
  • France, Paris: Parsons Paris & Polimoda
  • Italy, Florence: Lorenzo de?Medici: The Italian International Institute, Florence
  • Italy, Rome: American University of Rome
  • Italy, Rome: John Cabot University
  • Italy, Tuscania: Lorenzo de?Medici: The Italian International Institute, Tuscania
  • New Zealand, Auckland: AUT University
  • Spain, Barcelona: Parsons Paris – The New School, Barcelona

NECHE – New England Commission of Higher Education

  • Greece, Athens: Hellenic American University
  • Spain, Madrid: Suffolk University
  • Spain, Valencia: Berklee College of Music

QUIP – Forum on Education Abroad

  • All API programs!
  • Ireland, Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
  • Ireland, Limerick: University of Limerick
  • Spain, Barcelona: Universitat Pompeu Fabra