Understanding the Swiss Credit System: A Simple Guide for Indian Students

15 July 2025

Planning to study in Switzerland as an Indian student? You’re likely spending hours researching everything from university options and visa requirements to living costs and tuition fees. Amid all this, one important piece often gets overlooked: how the Swiss credit system works.

Switzerland also has a credit system that is quite different from our system in India. Grades or percentages do not necessarily mark your performance here as it’s the effort and time you’ve put into your studies, as quantified by what is known as the ECTS credit system.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we’ve guided hundreds of students like you through the process of navigating and adapting to Swiss education systems. In this article here, we’ll describe the Swiss credit system in as simple a way as possible, so that you can have the confidence to tackle your study experience in Switzerland.

What Is the ECTS Credit System?

Switzerland follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, also known as ECTS, is extensively applied in the majority of European nations. It enables universities to determine how studiously an individual student works and offers increased mobility among universities and across European nations.

How it functions:

  • 1 ECTS credit = 25 to 30 hours of overall study time (lectures, homework, exam study, etc.)
  • 60 ECTS credits = 1 full-time academic year
  • 30 credits ECTS = 1 semester
  • Bachelor’s degrees = 180 credits (typically 3 years)
  • Master’s degrees = 90-120 credits (typically 1.5-2 years)

The system ensures that students from all over Europe have the assurance that they have a similar amount of work to do, no matter whether the course contents or learning mode is variable. 

Why Indian Students Should Know About ECTS

If you are an Indian, the new system will confuse you initially. But after getting familiar with it, it actually works for you.

Here’s how Indian students are facilitated by ECTS:

Transfer of credits: If you are switching between one university to another in Europe or if you are resuming your study after diploma or Bachelor’s, then ECTS facilitates it easily.

More transparency: Your overall mark isn’t just a reflection of one test, it’s an accumulation of all the work you’ve put in.

Improved planning: You can organize how long each course will last before you register, so you can put your workload into perspective.

Additionally, most Swiss universities list precisely how many ECTS each module will be worth, so you can pick your subjects according to your strengths and career aspirations.

How Does the Swiss Grading System Work

After understanding how work is graded in credits, what about marks?

The Swiss universities operate on a 1 to 6 grading system:

  • 6 = Outstanding
  • 5 = Good
  • 4 = Pass
  • Less than 4 = Failure

This is actually different from the Indian percentage or CGPA system. So don’t get anxious if you notice a 4 or a 5 on your report card — it’s okay! A 4 signifies that you pass, and the majority of students have a range between 4 and 5.

Credit Transfers and Studying Elsewhere in Europe

The greatest benefit of the ECTS system is that it’s well accepted in all European universities. In simple words, if you complete your Bachelor in Switzerland and wish to do your Master’s in Germany or France, your credits will get transferred easily.

Outside of Europe, even to nations like the USA, Canada, and even Indian universities, ECTS is being implemented particularly for postgraduate admissions.

Big Update of 2025: New Credit Rules for Indian Students

From 2025, some big changes have been introduced by various Swiss universities that you, as an Indian student, must pay attention to:

  • In order to maintain your full-time student status, you must now earn a minimum of 24 ECTS credits per semester.
  • Not doing so can affect your chances of being issued a visa or pursuing your course without interruption.
  • This implies that you must keep your period of study in hand and not miss too many classes and examinations. Organization is more critical than ever now.

At first glance, the Swiss credit system might seem very different from what you’re used to. But once you understand it, you’ll see how well-structured and student-friendly it actually is. It gives you credit not just for passing exams, but for everything you do throughout the semester.

If you’re unsure how to prepare for your studies in Switzerland, we at BCES Admissions Abroad are here to help. From university selection and course advice to application and visa support, we’ve got your back. Call us at 8800096600.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A: They represent one complete year of study, consisting of class time, homework, independent study, and exams.

A: Not necessarily. Indian universities might, however, use your transcript and grading scale to assess your academic position for future admissions.

A: Primarily in Europe, but numerous institutions in countries such as the USA, Canada, and India also recognize them — particularly for Master’s degrees.

A: You will need to retake the course or the semester, and it may have an impact on your visa if you drop below the threshold of credits.

A: Typically 30 per semester is normal, but a minimum of 24 is needed so that you can remain as a full-time student.