An Erasmus semester abroad is a fantastic experience. But how does it work with your grades? What are the requirements? And how are foreign grades converted? In this article you'll find all the answers.
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union exchange program that allows students to study a semester or year at a partner university abroad.
As a Dutch student, you can study via Erasmus in all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey, North Macedonia and Serbia. You receive a monthly grant and don't pay tuition to the host university.
Requirements for Erasmus participation
To qualify for Erasmus you usually need to meet:
- Minimum 30 ECTS obtained (first year completed)
- Positive binding study advice (BSA) achieved
- Sufficient study average (depending on program)
- Good motivation and language skills (English or host country language)
The average requirement varies: some programs require minimum 7.0, others are more flexible. Check the requirements at your International Office!
Converting grades
Each country has its own grading system. This can be confusing when you've studied abroad.
Common conversions to Dutch system (1-10):
- Netherlands: 1-10 (pass from 5.5 or 6)
- Germany: 1-5 (1 = very good, 5 = fail) - reversed!
- France: 0-20 (10 = pass)
- Spain: 0-10 (5 = pass)
- UK: percentages or First/2:1/2:2/Third classification
ECTS and your average
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is the European credit point system. One ECTS represents 28 hours of study load. A full academic year is 60 ECTS.
When calculating your weighted average, ECTS function as weighting factors. A 6 ECTS course with grade 8 counts more than a 3 ECTS course with the same score.
Tip: Courses taken abroad are included in your transcript but don't always count toward your Dutch average. Check this with your examination board!
Tips for Erasmus students
- Calculate your average before leaving - some foreign courses may lower your average
- Request the Learning Agreement in advance - it lists which courses you'll take
- Keep all grade documents - you need them for recognition at home
- Ask about conversion tables from your home university
- Contact students who did the same exchange before
Calculate your ECTS-weighted average
Use our calculator to calculate your weighted average based on credit points. Useful for tracking your study results during and after your Erasmus semester.