ECTS and diploma supplement label holders 2011 & 2012 : internationalisation in Europe's universities.
Date: 2014-04-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Subjects: EU programme, education policy, educational exchange, higher education, international cooperation, recognition of studies, student mobility, teaching quality, university

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ECTS and 
Diploma Supplement  
Label Holders 2011 & 2012

Internationalisation 
in Europe’s universities

doi:10.2766/40497

Education and 
training

More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu).

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014

ISBN 978-92-79-27155-7
doi: 10.2766/40497

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ECTS and 
Diploma Supplement  
Label Holders 2011 & 2012
Internationalisation in Europe’s universities

2

European ECTS and Diploma 
Supplement label award ceremony,
Copenhagen, 8th May 2012

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities3

The Label – boosting attractiveness 
within the European Higher Education Area

H igher education is at the heart of the Europe 2020 

Strategy and of Europe’s ambition to become a smart, 
sustainable and inclusive economy. With 28 different 
Member States in the EU, and 47 countries in the European 
Higher Education Area, one part of countries’ modernisation 
efforts in higher education is introducing and applying Europe-
wide tools and instruments. Use of these tools inspires greater 
trust in each other’s higher education systems and makes it 
easier for people to move to other countries to study and so 
to acquire the high-level skills needed in our rapidly evolving 
economies.

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) 
and the Diploma Supplement (DS) play a key role in developing a 
high level of comparability, compatibility and exchange among 
Higher Education Institutions and systems in Europe, and their 
basic principles have long been agreed by Ministers within the 
European Higher Education Area. ECTS is a tool that allows stu-
dents to accumulate the credits they earn within an education 
programme in a transparent and comparable way. It facilitates the 
transfer of learning experiences between different institutions, 
greater student mobility and more flexible pathways to a higher 
education degree. In parallel, the DS provides a standardised 
description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the 
studies completed by the holder of a higher education diploma. 
The European Commission awards Labels to Higher Education 
Institutions which show that they are implementing ECTS and/or 
the DS correctly.

Introduction4

Czech ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony,  
Prague, 25th April 2013

Hellenic ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Athens, 21st May 2013

Cypriot ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Nicosia, 26th November 2013

Lithuanian ECTS label award ceremony,  
Vilnius, 27th March 2013

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities5

This brochure presents the Higher Education Institutions that have 
obtained one or both of the Labels in 2011 and 2012. The European 
Commission warmly welcomes their efforts to make a success of 
these tools.

The Label exercise has also highlighted differences in the imple-
mentation of ECTS and the DS, both within institutions and at 
national level. For instance, DS Label applications have drawn 
attention to the fact that, in some countries, national frameworks 
prescribe a model that is slightly different from the one agreed at 
European level. Applications have also shown that the concept of 
‘learning outcomes’ is applied in various ways, and that the ques-
tion of student workload is tackled in different ways when design-
ing programmes and curricula. These important issues will be part 
of the new ECTS Users’ Guide currently under revision by an expert 
group and intended to be endorsed by the next Bologna ministerial 
conference, in Yerevan in 2015. The ECTS Users’ Guide should help 
all institutions and academics to meet the challenge of applying 
ECTS, and particularly of ensuring a learning-outcomes based 
approach at every stage of the design, delivery and assessment 
of an education programme. This will assist institutions in making 
a successful shift to student-centred learning.

Introduction6

Austrian ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Dornbirn, 19th March 2013

Polish ECTS label award ceremony,
Wroclaw, 7th June 2013

Portuguese ECTS label award ceremony,  
Lisbon, 28th May 2013

Slovak ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Bratislava, 25th April 2013

Internationalisation in Europe’s universitiesI n t e r n a t

i o n a l

i s a t

i o n  

i n   E u r o p e ’ s   u n i v e r s i

t

i e s

7

Turkish ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Izmir, 6th May 2013

Norwegian ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony,  
Bergen, 6th March 2013

His Royal Highness Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway 
Norwegian ECTS and Diploma Supplement label award ceremony, 
Bergen, 6th March 2013

 
8

T a b l e   o f   c o n t e n t s

  9 

|  ECTS Label Holders 2011 and 2012

 10 

|  Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven

 11 

|  Université de Mons

 12 

|  Mendelova univerzita v Brně

 13 

| 

 Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická  

v Českých Budějovicích

 14 

|  Technická univerzita v Liberci

28  

|  Universidade da Beira Interior

29  

|  Slovenská technická univerzita v Bratislave

30  

|  Blekinge Tekniska Högskola 

31  

|  Karlstads Universitet

32  

|  Pamukkale Üniversitesi 

 33 

|  Anadolu Üniversitesi

 15 

|  Vysoká škola báňská – Technická univerzita Ostrava

 34 

|  Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi

 16 

|  Ostravská univerzita v Ostravě

 17 

|  Západočeska Univerzita v Plzni

 18 

|  Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně

 19 

|  Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας

 20 

|  Πανεπιστήμιο Frederick 

 21 

|  European University Cyprus

 22 

|  Mykolo Romerio Universitetas

 23 

|  Fachhochschule Vorarlberg

 24 

|  Fachhochschule Kufstein Tirol

 25 

|  Politechnika Gdańska

 26 

|  Wyższa Szkoła Filologiczna we Wrocławiu

 27 

| 

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

 35 

|  Marmara Üniversitesi

 36 

|  Fatih Üniversitesi

 37 

|  Maltepe Üniversitesi

 38 

|  T.C. İstanbul Kültür Üniversitesi

 39 

| 

İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi

 40 

|  Ege Üniversitesi

 41 

 42 

| 

| 

İzmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü

İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi

 43 

|  Yaşar Üniversitesi

 44 

|  Mersin Üniversitesi

 45 

|  Çağ Üniversitesi

 46 

|  Universitetet i Nordland

47  

|  Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 and 2012

E C T S   L a b e l

  H o l d e r s   2 0 1 1   &   2 0 1 2

9

ECTS Labels 
2011 & 2012

ECTS originated as a tool for the transfer of students’ learning 
achievements in Erasmus student mobility, facilitating the rec-
ognition of all studies. It has since been widely adopted as a tool 
for  accumulation  of  credits  within  educational  programmes, 
linked to specific learning outcomes, helping to place the learner 
at the centre of the education process, both during a mobility 
period, and while studying in their home institution. It is closely 
related to other efforts to modernise higher education in Europe. 
In particular, it has become a central tool in the Bologna Process, 
which aims at the convergence of national systems.

As requested by the Education Ministers of the 47 Bologna coun-
tries during their last ministerial meeting in Bucharest in 2012, an 
expert group is currently looking into the revision of the ECTS Users’ 
Guide. The aim is to focus more on the student-centred approach 
and lifelong learning as well as the increasing use of learning 
outcomes. The revised ECTS Users’ Guide should be endorsed at 
the next Bologna ministerial meeting in Yerevan, in 2015.

In 2011 and 2012, a total of 37 institutions (13 in 2011 and  
24 in 2012) were awarded the ECTS Label for their correct imple-
mentation of ECTS for mobile students.

In the interviews that follow, Higher Education Institutions around 
Europe provide various reasons for seeking the Label. But one 
recurring theme is internationalisation. When you have the Label, 
‘students  throughout  Europe  and  the  world  know  that  your 
exchange procedures have been checked by experts’. It ‘certifies  
a level of transparency and state of progress that strongly support 
the internationalisation of curricula’. The Label ‘has reinforced the 
international culture of our organisation’. And that, surely, is where 
the future of higher education lies.

10

INSTITUTION
Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven

WEBSITE
www.leuvenuniversitycollege.be

ADDRESS
Abdij van Park 9
3001 Heverlee
Belgium

‘Teaming up all colleagues’ 
Leuven University College (KHLeuven), Belgium

In 2013, Leuven University College has 
around 8 000 students and 725 staff  
on its campuses in Leuven and Diest.  
Its four departments cover business 
studies, education studies, healthcare 
and technology, and social work. 
Bachelor’s, advanced Bachelor’s and 
postgraduate courses are available,  
as well as other continuing studies. 
Some are taught in English. KHLeuven 
was awarded the ECTS label in 2011.

‘When the Flemish government introduced the ECTS as a basic element of its higher education system, we fully 
adopted it, and we aimed higher.’ For Toon Martens, General Director at Leuven University College, the ECTS Label 
provided ‘the framework in which to team up all colleagues in the institution towards the same goal’.

It has improved KHLeuven’s international communications by ensuring that information is available in English. 
And for students, it has meant greater flexibility. Under the points system, their trajectories have become ‘quite 
individual and no longer standardised.’ Recognition of prior learning is another benefit. ‘A large number of students 
either have work experience or bring along credits from other institutions. Within the ECTS, it has become much 
easier to recognise these credits.’

KHLeuven has embarked on a merger that will create the largest university college in Flanders. ‘This new institu-
tion will be international in all its aspects right from the start,’ he says. ‘The ECTS will play a vital part in achieving 
that goal.’ In a few cases, KHLeuven has received approaches to join international projects ‘because our partners 
noticed the presence of the Label.’ The University’s three-year European Bachelor in Business Management (EBM) 
combines studies in three different countries.

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities11

INSTITUTION
Université de Mons

WEBSITE
http://portail.umons.ac.be

ADDRESS
Place Warocqué, 17 
7000 Mons
Belgium

The University of Mons has about  
6 000 students. It is currently building 
up its international programmes, mainly 
through the Erasmus and Erasmus 
Mundus Action 2 network. Inward and 
outward student mobility is increasing, 
particularly in the faculty of translation 
and interpretation. One outcome of the 
ECTS work is the development of 
courses taught in English. A one-
semester International Management 
Programme and two Masters of Science  
in Electrical Engineering (focus  
on Biosystems Engineering and in 
Multimedia and Telecommunications) 
are offered. UMONS was awarded  
the ECTS label in 2011.

‘First major project for a new university’ 
University of Mons, Belgium

For the University of Mons (UMONS), the ECTS Label came at just the right moment. ‘The Label was considered in 
the very favourable context of the merging in 2009 of two formerly independent universities,’ explains Vice-Rector 
for International Relations Prof. Pierre Dehombreux. ‘They were the Université Mons-Hainaut and the Faculté Poly-
technique de Mons. A Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning joined this new institution in 2010.’

The Label contributed directly to the success of this merger, as ‘it stimulated new types of collaboration between 
our faculties and administrative departments. Our Centre of Administrative Information Technology developed the 
software tools we needed to fill up the database in accordance with the ECTS guidelines.’ Those guidelines were ‘in 
phase with our quality assessment objectives and our need to define learning outcomes and skill profiles’.

He feels that the ECTS process has ‘made our course offer clearer and more accessible worldwide’. It is ‘a neces-
sary tool to define learning agreements in student exchange programmes but also to prepare future double 
diplomas which are fully mutually recognised’.

Applying for the Label ‘turned out to be one of the first major projects of the newly created university… and it was 
a successful one!’

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201212

INSTITUTION
Mendelova univerzita v Brně

WEBSITE
www.mendelu.cz

ADDRESS
Zemedelska 1
613 00 Brno
Czech Republic

‘Guarantees of quality’ 
Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

Originally an agricultural university, 
Mendel later expanded into forestry, 
horticulture, business economics, and 
regional and international development. 
Its Institute of Lifelong Learning runs 
free courses for senior citizens. Some 
500 of Mendel’s current 10 000 students 
are from abroad. Each year, about  
100 teaching staff come from other 
countries. The total number of teachers 
is 500. Mendel was awarded the ECTS 
label in 2012. 

‘We wanted to standardise our programmes, so as to ensure proper information for the students. We wanted to 
fit the real content of the courses to the declared profiles of the students in particular programmes. We wanted 
a tool that would help us to assess the quality of our teaching activities. And we wanted to be quite open with 
students elsewhere, and potential partners, while providing some guarantees of quality.’

These were just some of the reasons why Mendel University applied for the Label, says Libor Grega, Dean of its 
Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies. The University needed almost two years to complete 
the changes needed, ‘but I had been prepared for that, as I had taken part in the EU programme TUNING Educa-
tional Structures in Europe. We used the lessons learned from TUNING, which was a great help during the 
implementation.’ 

The Label does provide assurances about Mendel’s quality, he feels, ‘and when we are selecting partners, we push 
them to give us the same guarantees. This is particularly important in the case of student exchanges, in order to 
minimise the risk of any problems with mutual recognition of studies.’ Mendel has a series of Programme Com-
missions, which include student and teacher representatives. Standardised student evaluations of courses, intro-
duced as part of the Label process, have given the commissions a new tool for promoting the quality of each 
programme.

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities13

INSTITUTION
Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická 
v Českých Budějovicích

WEBSITE
www.vstecb.cz

ADDRESS
Okružní 517/10
370 01 České Budějovice
Czech Republic

‘The pinnacle of the process’ 
Institute of Technology and Business in Česke Budějovice, Czech Republic

Founded in 2006, the Institute of Technology and Business (ITB) in Česke Budějovice followed ECTS standards right 
from the start. The Institute’s rules and regulations were designed to comply with them, and so was its information 
system. Receiving the Label was ‘the pinnacle of this process and the confirmation of its accuracy,’ says the ITB’s 
International Relations Coordinator Alžběta Troupová. ‘We especially appreciate the fact that those independent 
experts have not found any weaknesses in our ECTS application.’

The Label is ’essential for us as a small and relatively new higher education institution,’ she feels. ‘It has increased 
our reputation among our prospective partners.’ 

The ECTS principles have ‘allowed us to define the key parameters such as the workload required to achieve the 
objectives of the programme, and to obtain those learning outcomes,’ while the ECTS recognition policy and the key 
documents ‘have given the ITB an effective administrative framework for mobility implementation. All of the academic 
achievements that have been gained abroad are fully recognised as a part of the ITB studies.’

The ITB has created a course catalogue and an information package specifically for international students. As well 
as an International Office, there is an ESN Buddy Club for students. Each international student has his or her buddy 
and the club organises group activities.

The ITB has more than 3 500 students 
and 150 teaching staff. Study 
programmes include mechanical and 
civil engineering, transport technology, 
business administration and building 
management. Industry and business  
are closely involved in its programmes.  
To help ensure graduates’ employability, 
semester-long internships are included 
in the courses. ITB was awarded  
the ECTS label in 2012.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201214

INSTITUTION
Technická univerzita v Liberci

WEBSITE
www.tul.cz

ADDRESS
Studentska 2
46117 Liberec
Czech Republic

Founded in 1953, Liberec now has  
some 10 000 students and around  
1 000 academic and administrative 
staff. Although a technical university,  
it teaches a very wide range of subjects 
and serves as the regional university  
for Northern Bohemia. There are six 
faculties and two institutes. Liberec  
is particularly well-known for its 
research on technical innovation, 
notably nanomaterial. Liberec was 
awarded the ECTS label in 2011.

‘ECTS is a common language’ 
Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic

‘The management of our university sees the Label as a matter of prestige,’ Randa Tomehová says. ‘It’s a significant 
element in our international cooperation.’ 

As the Institutional Coordinator at the Technical University of Liberec, she has seen student mobility increase 
steadily over the years – although she would like a better balance. ‘We have more incoming than outgoing stu-
dents, although the numbers are getting closer. The incoming students know that the ECTS is a common language, 
and that they will understand the study process in our university.’

One issue, she feels, is that there is still sometimes an incompatibility of subject content between Liberec and its 
partners elsewhere. ‘Maybe this is something that we should be tackling though continuous discussions and contacts 
with our partners. Sometimes we send our students abroad to study a subject and it’s not really the same course. 
This can cause problems for them in their state exams back here. But it doesn’t happen very often.’ 

For incoming students, the University holds a Welcome Day focusing on practical issues. Accommodation in the 
hall of residence is reserved for each exchange student before arrival. A students’ club run by the local branch 
of the European Student Network provides social and cultural activities. 

Liberec has a number of partner universities in Europe and beyond, particularly in the field of technical research. 
All of its teaching staff are also researchers.

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities15

INSTITUTION
Vysoká škola báňská –  
Technická univerzita Ostrava

WEBSITE
www.vsb.cz

ADDRESS
17. listopadu 15/2172
708 33 Ostrava – Poruba
Czech Republic

‘Process-oriented information’ 
VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

‘The ECTS Label can send out a good message to incoming students,’ Prof. Petr Noskievič believes. As Vice-Rector 
for Study Affairs at the VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, he sees the Label’s impact ‘not only in the recogni-
tion of the study results, but also in the Label guarantee that the whole student mobility process is running very 
well.’ That process encompasses ‘the preparation of mobility, selection of the subjects, travel, accommodation 
reservation, the stay at the university campus, lectures and all services for students’. 

The number of incoming students to Ostrava is growing. This is, he thinks, ‘not only because we offer interesting 
study programmes and subjects, but also because services important for successful student mobility were cor-
rectly set up. The effort of preparing for the ECTS Label was helpful in this activity.’

He sees the ECTS methodology as ‘very important for preparing the curricula of the study programmes and the 
subjects. It is used in defining the learning outcomes of each subject and in the evaluation and assessment of 
the study results.’ 

The Label application was part of the University’s internationalisation drive. ‘Very important was the introduction 
of the new process-oriented information system. This supports all the steps in the students’ mobility, including 
the recognition of the study period abroad and diploma supplement printing.’

The VŠB – Technical University  
of Ostrava is a polytechnic and 
economic university with around  
21 000 students and some 1 000 
teaching staff. It has seven faculties 
and many research centres, including 
the R&D Centre of Nanotechnology,  
the R&D Energy Centre and the IT4I 
Centre of Excellence, which focuses  
on supercomputing. The University  
has recently been increasing its use  
of English and was awarded the  
ECTS label in 2011.  

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201216

INSTITUTION
Ostravská univerzita v Ostravě

WEBSITE
www.osu.cz

ADDRESS
Dvořákova 7
701 03 Ostrava
Czech Republic

‘Defining course outcomes’ 
University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

The University of Ostrava has six 
faculties: Arts, Pedagogy, Fine Arts, 
Social Studies, Science and Medicine. 
More than 10  500 students were 
enrolled in 2012. An important teacher 
training centre, it also makes a vital 
contribution to medicine, natural 
sciences and humanities in its region, 
both in its study programmes and 
through research. Internationally,  
it gives priority to the Erasmus 
Programme. It was awarded the  
ECTS Label in 2012.

Ever since 1998, the University of Ostrava has been gradually structuring the credit allocations for all its study 
programmes to comply with ECTS. ‘The University manifested its administrative maturity when it was granted 
the DS Label,’ Vice-Rector Iva Málková recalls. ‘The ECTS Label represented another challenge. We can now describe 
our programmes in such a way that the graduate profile contains information about the quality and uniqueness 
of what Ostrava has to offer.’    

In future, she believes, ‘this kind of information will motivate both Czech and international students to apply for 
a place here. In the context of the evaluation of the quality of Czech universities, the Label will also underscore 
the fact that the University is able to manage educational processes in a competent and coordinated way.’ Together 
with the Czech ministry’s current requirements, the Label ‘helps shape the programme and clearly define the 
outcomes of courses’, as well as ‘the graduate’s profile and prospects on the job market’.

Ostrava has what it takes to attract more international students, she says. ‘We have coordinators who help 
international students to deal with any administrative difficulties that might arise. And the International Student 
Club of the University of Ostrava is a well-established and functioning body that organises events for international 
students on a regular basis.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities17

INSTITUTION
Západočeska Univerzita v Plzni

WEBSITE
www.zcu.cz

ADDRESS
Univerzitni 20
306 14 Pilsen
Czech Republic

‘Heart in Europe’ 
University of West Bohemia, Czech Republic

Feet in Pilsen, Heart in Europe is the slogan of the current long-term strategy at the University of West Bohemia. 
Gaining the Label reflects that credo, says Jaroslav Dokoupil, the University’s Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. 
‘Transferability of credits means an increase in the attractiveness of our study programmes for applicants from 
abroad, and this may increase the numbers of students participating in mobility in future.’  

For the academic staff, the ECTS system took some getting used to, but it ‘has meant a positive change for Czech 
students, mainly as regards information about individual subjects and the new way of looking at student activity, 
i.e. 1 credit = 26 hours of student workload’.

An important component of the University’s current strategy is internationalisation through increased incoming and 
outgoing mobility in Master’s and PhD study programmes. ‘We can say that the strategy is continuously successful 
and the mobility numbers have been rising with the help of the ECTS Label.’ 

An English-language online application tool for incoming international students on short study stays is now available 
as part of the University’s information system. Other elements have been translated into English as well, he points 
out. ‘Incoming students can also use our study environment, which has been fully translated into English, including 
the legislation and the study and examination regulations.’ 

The University of West Bohemia 
currently has almost 16 000 students  
in its nine faculties and two institutes of 
higher education and more than 1 200 
academic staff. With European funds, 
the University is building new research 
centres on information technologies, 
electric engineering, mechanical 
engineering and new technologies.  
It was awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.  

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201218

INSTITUTION
Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně

WEBSITE
www.utb.cz

ADDRESS
nám. T. G. Masaryka 5555 
760 01 Zlín
Czech Republic

Some 12 000 students attend Tomas 
Bata University in Zlín’s faculties  
of technology, management and 
economics, multimedia communications, 
applied informatics, humanities, logistics 
and crisis management. There are  
470 researchers employed at TBU and 
the University is particularly well known 
for its research in polymer processing. 
TBU has more than 30 partner insti-
tutions worldwide. It was awarded  
the ECTS Label in 2012. 

‘The Label will increase our reputation’ 
Tomas Bata University in Zlín (TBU), Czech Republic

‘Our decision to apply for the ECTS Label was the next step towards improving the quality of the degree pro-
grammes and courses offered and making them more attractive to international students and staff,’ comments 
Andrea Kadlcikova, Director of Marketing and Communications at TBU. ‘In future, we expect that this accomplish-
ment will increase our reputation. Thanks to the fact that we had been awarded the Label, we were in a certain 
manner favoured during the budget allocation in 2013.’

The introduction of ECTS system ‘had an impact on our degree programmes as regards their modernisation and the 
formulation of strict rules,’ she says. ‘Each course unit is allocated a number of credits which reflects the relative 
degree of study load required for a successful completion. So it was necessary to analyse the course units taught 
and allocate the respective number of credits. The credits obtained within one degree programme are added up 
and the total number of credits obtained serves as a tool for checking progress in studies. The minimum number 
of credits required for proper completion of one year is 60. Altogether, the minimum required for successful 
completion of a Bachelor’s programme is 180, and 120 in a Master’s programme. All data can be automatically 
checked through computer systems.’

‘The University’s efforts seem to have been rewarded as the numbers of outgoing and incoming students are 
continuing to increase,’ she adds. 

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities19

INSTITUTION
Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας

WEBSITE
www.unic.ac.cy

ADDRESS
46 Makedonitissas Avenue
P.O. Box 24005
1700 Nicosia
Cyprus

‘It’s all about the student’ 
University of Nicosia, Cyprus

‘ECTS is all about the student,’ Philippos Pouyioutas insists. He is the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs at the University 
of Nicosia. 

‘It’s about building a student-centred environment,’ he says. ‘About rethinking and re-engineering the academic 
curriculum and delivery methods for learning and assessment. Making programmes address labour needs and 
preparing students for industry positions. Improving the quality of study programmes and qualifications. Helping 
the accreditation of programmes. Enhancing the University’s image and reputation. Making it well known inter-
nationally. Helping to recruit both local and international students. Enabling Erasmus mobility. Developing joint, 
double and multiple degrees and promoting collaboration and research. In short, making it possible to offer cross-
border education.’

It has also helped to improve the content of the Diploma Supplement (DS), which the University provides free of charge 
to graduates, by ‘introducing the learning outcomes of the degree awarded to the student into the DS. This provides 
employers with a more accurate indication of the graduates’ capabilities, knowledge, skills and competences.’

ReProTool (www.reprotool.com) is an integrated IT tool developed by the University to support its application for the 
Label. Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus, it is designed to help 
universities make the necessary adjustments to their academic programmes.

The University of Nicosia has four 
faculties comprising more than  
250 academic and research staff. 
They teach over 5 500 students,  
20 % of whom are international 
students. The university offers more 
than 65 programmes and has a strong 
reputation in life and health sciences, 
law, international relations, architecture, 
psychology, accounting and oil and gas 
management and engineering. It was 
awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 2012 
20

INSTITUTION
Πανεπιστήμιο Frederick 

WEBSITE
www.frederick.ac.cy

ADDRESS
7, Y. Frederickou Str. 
Pallouriotisa, Nicosia 1036 
Cyprus

Frederick University’s six schools cover 
most fields of study, except medicine.  
They include the island’s main school  
of engineering. Art and architecture  
are another specialism. Most 
programmes are taught in English.  
It has joint research projects with more 
than 120 institutes in Europe. There  
are plans for joint degrees with other 
universities. Frederick’s University was 
awarded the ECTS label in 2012. 

‘Our credentials have been validated’ 
Frederick University, Cyprus

‘We’re a new university, and we felt it was important to follow the guidelines of the Bologna Process,’ says Christoforos 
Charalambous, President of the Planning Committee at Frederick University. ‘The Label will also make it easier for us 
to collaborate with other European universities, particularly on the Erasmus Programme.’ 

Gaining the Label has been a boost for the University’s students and staff, he believes. ‘Everyone understood that 
our credentials have, in a sense, been validated by the EU. We hope that prospective future students will also 
value this achievement. It will be one of the reasons why they’ll choose to apply to Frederick.’

Being a new institution, Frederick adopted the ECTS as its credit system from the outset. ‘So it wasn’t a difficult 
process. The main change was in our provision of information via the website. We had to make sure that we are 
more visible and transparent as an organisation.’

Frederick is a private university, a status that was not legally possible in Cyprus until 2007. But it has 45 years 
of educational experience behind it. So far, it has not had many students and staff from abroad. ‘We’re hoping 
that’s something the Label will increase. Currently, the great majority of our students are Cypriots. Which is posi-
tive in the sense that the local community approves of our work. But we do feel that a university should have an 
international dimension. That’s one reason why we went for the Label.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities21

INSTITUTION
European University Cyprus

WEBSITE
www.eu.ac.cy

ADDRESS
6, Diogenis Str
Engomi
PO Box 22006
1516 Nicosia
Cyprus

The European University Cyprus (EUC) 
currently has 4 000 students.  
Its 50 accredited programmes,  
25 of which are offered in English, 
include Business, Economics, 
Management, Marketing, Computer 
Science/Engineering, Education, Music, 
Psychology and Law. There is also  
a Department of Health Sciences,  
and a new School of Medicine. EUC  
was awarded the ECTS Label in 2011. 

‘Our reward for our efforts’
European University Cyprus

‘We adopted and applied the Bologna principles and the ECTS from 2005 onwards,’ recalls Athanasia Ktena, Admin-
istrative Head of the European University Cyprus (EUC). ‘So applying for and receiving the Label was the next step 
– and our reward for our efforts. The re-engineering of all our programmes required team effort, both from academics 
and from administrators.’

This reflected some important changes in study programmes. ‘A student-centred approach is now implemented, 
with even distribution of the workload and clearly defined learning outcomes for each programme and course.’ 

International synergy is central to the EUC’s strategic development plans. Cooperation projects focus on studies of 
development cooperation models meeting regional needs and of educational cooperation generated by the academic 
community. Training is also provided for lecturers, experts and professionals from EU and non-EU countries, as well 
as joint teaching programmes with organisations and researchers.

‘Faculty members have accumulated rich international experience,’ Athanasia Ktena emphasises. ‘In addition, every 
year EUC sends a certain number of undergraduate and graduate students abroad.’

It has also been equipping itself to attract students from other countries, notably through a user-friendly 
website, a course catalogue in English and 270 academic agreements with Higher Education Institutions in 
Europe and elsewhere.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 2012 
22

INSTITUTION
Mykolo Romerio Universitetas

WEBSITE
www.mruni.eu

ADDRESS
Ateities g. 20
LT-08303 Vilnius
Lithuania

‘Our partners appreciate it’
Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania

Mykolas Romeris University is active 
mainly in social sciences, law and  
the humanities. There are also some 
programmes on information sciences 
and the media. The university is  
strongly oriented towards international 
development. It has approximately  
18 000 students and more than 1 000 
staff. Its main research focus is social 
innovation. The University received  
the ECTS Label in 2012.   

‘Applying for the Label was part of our quality process,’ says Giedrius Viliūnas, Vice-Rector for Education at Mykolas 
Romeris University. ‘Five or six years ago, we established a quality policy. One of its main points was to comply with 
European standards and guidelines. The ECTS Label is one of the most important international quality symbols.’

The application process was ‘very fruitful. We had to produce descriptions of all our study programmes, and we 
also used this process as a tool to refocus them on student competencies. So all our courses are now described 
in the same way, with clearly defined learning outcomes. Those are already two remarkable achievements.’

What is more, ‘the Label requirements have very much added to the visibility of our university. Now that we have 
this ECTS catalogue, we can use it in our marketing activities and our international partnerships. We no longer 
have to explain about our programmes and our arrangements for receiving foreign students. We just have to give 
this link. Our partner universities in Europe appreciate that very much, and so do those in other parts of the world. 
The response from our own students is also very positive. For them too, this is a good way of understanding our 
programmes. We now speak a common language with other European universities. We all know that the ECTS 
system as a tool is one of the main achievements of the European Higher Education Area.’ 

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities23

INSTITUTION
Fachhochschule Vorarlberg

WEBSITE
www.fhv.at

ADDRESS
Hochschulstrasse 1
6850 Dornbirn
Austria

‘It rallied everybody’ 
Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria

‘Applying for the ECTS Label gave us a goal,’ Karin Wüstner-Dobler recalls. She heads the International Office at 
Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences. ‘It rallied everybody behind the efforts for change. The ECTS criteria are 
built into our internationalisation strategy. They’re really helpful for describing our university.’ 

Founded in 1997, the University currently has 1 054 students, of whom 646 are full-time. There are 70 lecturers 
(full-time equivalent) on its staff, and it also uses external lecturers. Six Bachelor’s and six Master’s degree pro-
grammes cover business, technology and engineering, design and social sciences. Six of these programmes are also 
offered part-time.

For Vorarlberg, internationalisation has high strategic priority. It has 121 cooperation agreements with universities 
in other countries. More than 50 % of its full-time Bachelor students spend one semester studying abroad. In each 
of the full-time Bachelor’s study programmes, one complete semester is conducted in English. One Master’s pro-
gramme is completely in English. An orientation programme is offered to incoming students from abroad. 

‘As a small university, we have to convince people abroad of our quality,’ Karin Wüstner-Dobler says. ‘The Label is 
very useful for that. And not only at the international level. I think it has helped us to present our information to all 
stakeholders in a very structured, professional way.’ 

Vorarlberg’s 12 degree programmes 
cover the fields of business, technology 
and engineering, design and social 
sciences. Six research centres specialise 
in process and product engineering, 
micro technology, user-centred 
technologies, society and socio-
economics, mechatronics, and  
energy. Vorarlberg was awarded  
the ECTS label in 2011.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 2012 
24

INSTITUTION
Fachhochschule Kufstein Tirol

WEBSITE
www.fh-kufstein.ac.at

ADDRESS
Andreas Hofer-Strasse 7
A-6330 Kufstein
Austria

The FH KufsteinTirol University of 
Applied Sciences has 1 500 students, 
taught by about 40 local staff and  
more than 380 guest professors from 
Europe and beyond. Each year, it sends 
250 students abroad and receives more 
than 200 from other countries. It is 
known for its teaching and research on 
business topics, notably facility and real 
estate management. It was awarded  
the ECTS Label in 2012.  

‘Multiculturalism is what education is about’
FH KufsteinTirol University of Applied Sciences, Austria

‘For us, the Label is a structured way of being transparent about how we work here. Right from when we started 
up in 1997, we have always been very international and multicultural.’ All of the students at the University of 
Applied Sciences are expected to spend one or two semesters at one of its partner universities abroad, says the 
Head of its International Relations Office, Noureddine Rafili.

At a worldwide education fair in the USA recently, he noticed that the Label is seen as ‘a guarantee of seriousness 
and internationalism. In their booths there, various universities were highlighting that they’re Label holders.  
So we know that it will help us a lot in our work.’ 

Implementing the ECTS scheme is ‘hard work,’ he concedes. ‘It’s very structured. The international office can guide 
it, but it requires cooperation with different departments. It touches upon degree programmes, quality management, 
marketing... It’s a job for the whole institution.’ The reward is ‘being able to show our partner universities that we’re 
working in the right way and that their students will benefit both socially and academically from being here.’

From the outset, the Kufstein campus included a residence for international students. ‘That infrastructure really 
empowered us to be part of the Bologna Process. Multiculturalism is what education is all about. Our mission  
is to communicate that value to our students.’  

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities25

INSTITUTION
Politechnika Gdańska

WEBSITE
www.pg.edu.pl

ADDRESS
ul. Narutowicza 11/12
80-233 Gdańsk
Poland

‘A logical step’
Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT), Poland

Applying for the ECTS Label was ‘a natural and logical step in our strategy of quality assurance,’ Barbara Zaleska 
says. She is the Head of the Quality Management Department at the Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT).  
‘We have been working with ECTS rules right from the beginning of the Bologna Process. The ECTS Label proves that 
our strategy of quality was on the right track.’ 

The GUT is currently introducing a new education model, called Engineer of the Future. This emphasises personality 
development, effective teamwork, interdisciplinary projects and innovative ventures. ‘A significant part of this model 
is the ECTS Catalogue, with all the study programmes and the curriculum described in the language of learning 
outcomes,’ she points out. 

Meanwhile, the ECTS Catalogue ‘presents all information in two language versions: Polish and English. We have 
observed an increasing number of foreign visitors to our English website. The ECTS Label helps us to increase trust 
in our brand, both in Poland and abroad. Foreign students often tell us that it was the reason they chose GUT.  
The Label validates the quality of our education.’ 

It has also helped to promote student mobility, as it meant ‘adopting a system of grading that allows students to 
study partially outside their alma mater without losing the period of study abroad – and without the fear of not 
having that period of study recognised at home.’ 

A total of 25 217 students are currently 
enrolled at GUT, of whom some 300  
are from other countries. It has nearly  
1 300 teaching staff. Teaching in its  
9 faculties includes 12 degree courses 
in English. It has more than 420 
bilateral agreements within the Erasmus 
Programme and over 75 framework 
agreements. GUT is a founding member 
of the Baltic Sea Region University 
Network and was awarded the ECTS 
label in 2011.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201226

INSTITUTION
Wyższa Szkoła Filologiczna  
we Wrocławiu

WEBSITE
www.wsf.edu.pl

ADDRESS
ul. Sienkiewicza 32 
50-335 Wrocław
Poland

WSF has over 2 000 students, who  
can opt for: translation, language and 
business, foreign language teaching,  
or language + language (i.e. two 
languages). The teaching staff, 
numbering around 160, are international. 
Mobility agreements cover 33 European 
universities  and through a ‘buddy 
system’, Polish students help those  
from other countries to settle in. WSF 
was awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘Promoting non-public institutions’
Philological School of Higher Education in Wroclaw (WSF), Poland

For Poland’s WSF, the Label is a means towards an end. ‘We have an interest in going international and achieving 
a wider European perspective,’ explains Anna Zasłona, Head of the School’s International Office. ‘The Label certi-
fies and strengthens our position among higher education institutions in Poland and Europe. As far as we’re 
concerned, internationalisation and modernisation will go hand in hand.’

Changes in Polish higher education reflect the deep political transformation of recent decades. ‘There were no 
non-public institutions like ours before 1989,’ she says. ‘Now there are plenty but we are the only ECTS holder in 
Poland among them.’ This prestigious European award will, she is convinced, ‘promote the status of non-public 
institutions in our country as being valuable.’ 

Before applying for the Label, WSF staffers attended a number of seminars run by experts on the Bologna Process 
and Erasmus. ‘Then we did a lot of staff training. And we got the students involved. We keep them informed about 
developments. It was all relatively easy for us because, when we came into being in 2002, we built an ECTS-based 
system right from the start.’ The only problem, until changes in 2011, was the rather rigid study programme 
requirements laid down by the Polish education ministry. ‘That contrasted with the ECTS system, which was more 
relaxed. But now attitudes have become more similar.’     

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities27

INSTITUTION
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

WEBSITE
www.ipb.pt

ADDRESS
Campus de Santa Apolónia
5301-253 Bragança
Portugal

‘It ensures our offer is clear’
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal

‘Getting the ECTS Label means that everything we do both inside and outside Europe, we do in a transparent way and 
in line with good practice. It ensures that our academic offer is clear and that the credits are strictly comparable.’

Luís S. Pais is the Vice-President of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB). He thinks that the use of the ECTS 
system ‘has been very important throughout Europe, because it prevents misunderstandings’. But the same goes 
for cooperation with partners outside Europe. ‘Nowadays, every country in the world understands what our rules and 
our measurements are. I think that’s a result of the Bologna Process and the ECTS system.’

The ECTS Label also raises two issues, he says. ‘One is to use, with all of our partners, the proper documentation 
that is proposed by the EU. The other is to acquire an IT platform that makes everything clear to everyone, and at 
the same time makes it easier for us to keep up to date within our institution.’

The IPB has developed an ECTS catalogue and an additional webpage for its International Relations Office.  
‘There, we clearly explain to our partner institutions’ staff and students how to communicate with us in order to do 
an international mobility in our institution.’    

A worthwhile effort, he feels, because ‘the most important programmes for showing the world the unity of Europe 
are the Erasmus Programme and the Lifelong Learning Programme’. 

The IPB has 7 000 Bachelor’s and 
Master’s students. Some 11 % of  
them are non-Portuguese. It cooperates 
closely with Brazil and Portuguese-
speaking Africa, and also offers some 
degrees in English. Its three research 
centres focus on applied science in food 
and agriculture, chemical engineering, 
and health and sport. It will soon be 
involved in a new science park in 
Bragança. IPB was awarded the ECTS 
label in 2011.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 2012 
28

INSTITUTION
Universidade da Beira Interior

WEBSITE
www.en.ubi.pt

ADDRESS
Convento de Santo António
6201-001 Covilhã
Portugal

The University of Beira Interior (UBI)  
has five faculties and around 7 000 
students and 500 teachers. There  
is now a clear emphasis on the 
implementation of Bologna Process, 
with a focus on teaching and research. 
The University’s campus, which includes 
buildings of historic value, is spread 
across the mountain town of Covilhã.  
It was awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘Paving the way’
University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal

For the UBI, the Label confirms a long-standing commitment to European higher education. ‘We participated in 
a pilot project that preceded the ECTS,’ recalls Paulo Almeida, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Internationalisation. 
‘And we consistently applied the ECTS ever since its introduction. Having been awarded the DS Label in 2005 and 
2010, UBI lacked the recognition of how well it was using the ECTS.’

So gaining the ECTS Label was part of the strategy set out in the Rector’s Action Plan for 2009-13, which empha-
sises the development of a quality culture at the UBI. The aim was to enhance the quality of learning and teaching, 
while at the same time furthering the University’s implementation of the Bologna Process.

The award is ‘a paramount step forward in UBI’s internationalisation.’  He expects it to ‘boost our already significant 
mobility figures as well as paving the way for extending our European and overseas cooperation, in terms of both 
partners and projects.’

The UBI is ‘committed to building upon all the internal developments and external opportunities that this recogni-
tion entails, and we believe that many other Higher Education Institutions across Europe will come to realise how 
much there is to gain from this distinction.’   

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities29

INSTITUTION
Slovenská technická univerzita  
v Bratislave

WEBSITE
www.stuba.sk

ADDRESS
Vazovova 5
812 43 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic

‘Publicity effect’
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU), Slovak Republic 

‘We thought the Label might provide us with interesting feedback, as well as a publicity effect.’ And Frantisek Hornak, 
the STU’s Vice-Rector for Education, saw that effect almost immediately. ‘We put the ECTS information package on 
our website in September 2012 and from that moment, many foreign students started to contact us. If there’s  
a good overview of a university’s programmes online, they respond to that. That has been the most important benefit 
so far, because we had a lot of information about our study programmes and courses, but it wasn’t well ordered. 
The structure of the ECTS information package is very good. So that was rather helpful.’

The STU has more than 180 study programmes and almost 5 000 courses. ‘The main problem was to convince all 
the professors to put all these programmes into the ECTS structure, in the English language. In the end, there were 
more than 2 000 people involved in this process. But there was no need for changes in the study programmes 
themselves. Everything that the Label required in that respect, we already had.’  

Scholarships for international students are planned for the next academic year. The STU already provides eight 
preparatory modules for foreign students. Available in both English and Slovak, each module reflects a different 
study area, with teaching texts and tasks designed to promote specific knowledge and competences.

STU currently has 17 000 students and 
1 900 academic staff. International 
cooperation is managed through  
89 agreements with other universities,  
48 faculty agreements and 274 Erasmus 
agreements. Its institute and seven 
faculties have 800 industrial contracts, 
600 state research contracts and 107 
international projects. STU was awarded 
the ECTS Label in 2012.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201230

INSTITUTION
Blekinge Tekniska Högskola

WEBSITE
www.bth.se

ADDRESS
Campus Gräsvik 
SE-371 79 Karlskrona 
Sweden

Founded in 1988, BTH specialises in 
engineering and technology. In 2012,  
it had 3 700 full-time equivalent 
students (approximately 7 000 
individuals) and 200 teaching staff. 
There are a number of short courses, 
some of which take only one semester. 
Research accounts for more than 
one-third of BTH’s activities and budget. 
It is focused on applied IT and on 
planning and management. BTH was 
awarded the ECTS label in 2011.   

‘A target to aim at’
Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), Sweden

‘We have a lot of European students, and we wanted to improve the quality of our information to them,’ recalls 
Anders Hederstierna, Vice-Chancellor of the Blekinge Institute of Technology. ‘Applying for the Label set in motion 
a major process of reviewing our information throughout the university and making it more accurate. The Label 
gave us a target to aim at.’ 

Part of the motivation was to achieve greater visibility across Europe – ‘a sort of accreditation from the European 
Commission’. For that reason, he thinks, there was really no institutional resistance to the changes. ‘Every teacher 
at BTH was involved in the project, as well as the students, the administrators and the international officers. It 
was devolved. Other universities I’ve spoken to here decided to approach it in a more centralised way, and I think 
maybe that’s more difficult.’ 

All of BTH’s advanced-level courses are taught in English, as well as two Bachelor’s programmes. About 45 % of 
its faculty are non-Swedish. Foreign students come mainly via the Erasmus Programme and through a number 
of bilateral agreements with countries outside Europe. An International Week is held each September to welcome 
the incoming students. A student residence is available.

‘We’ve presented our work on the Label  – and our reasons for wanting it – to other Swedish universities at various 
conferences,’ Anders Hederstierna notes. ‘We hope we’ll inspire them to go for it.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities31

INSTITUTION
Karlstads universitet

WEBSITE
www.kau.se

ADDRESS
Universitetsgatan 2
SE-651 88 Karlstad
Sweden

‘Mobility, employability, competitiveness’
Karlstad University, Sweden

‘We applied for the Label back in 2006, and we were the first university in Sweden to receive it. We thought it was 
definitely worth renewing our application, because the Label promotes mobility, employability and competitiveness.’  
For Carina Eriksson, International Coordinator at Karlstad University, the Label as ‘a good way to facilitate credit 
transfers for students’.

It is also ‘a marketing tool when we apply for other external funding – for instance, EU research programmes.  
As a young university, we must use all the selling points we have, and the Label is definitely one of them’.

Karlstad University aims to ‘foster understanding of other cultures and make our university an important part of the 
international academic community’, she says. ‘The strategic plan was updated last year and focuses on increasing 
the mobility of our students and staff, and boosting the number of our courses taught in English.’ 

Karlstad has about 300 incoming and outgoing exchange students each year. Those arriving are now mainly Erasmus 
students. An electronic registration system helps them to reduce formalities and plan their studies ahead of their 
arrival in Sweden. For students from outside Europe, Sweden introduced tuition fees in 2011. Outgoing students are 
mainly on Sweden’s own exchange programmes and tend to go to English-speaking countries, ‘although interest in 
France has increased recently’.     

Karlstad University currently has 12 500 
students and about 800 teaching and 
research staff. Teacher training was  
its original purpose and remains a core 
activity. Its two faculties – Arts and 
Social Science, and Health, Science and 
Technology – include 12 departments  
in all. A Welcome Centre provides 
information to all students, including  
of course incoming international 
students. It was re-awarded the ECTS 
Label in 2011.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201232

INSTITUTION
Pamukkale Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.pau.edu.tr 

ADDRESS
Kinikli Campus
20070 Denizli
Turkey

Pamukkale University has 42 000 
students and some 3 500 staff in  
its 14 faculties, 4 graduate schools,  
6 higher education schools and  
11 vocational higher education schools. 
Use of IT enables exchange students to 
collect their transcripts and certificates 
within one week of the final exams.  
This expedites the recognition of courses 
by their home institutions. It was 
awarded the ECTS Label in 2012. 

‘Removing barriers’
Pamukkale University, Turkey

‘We wanted to remove all the barriers for any exchange students, whether they are our own students or foreign 
students,’ says Hüseyin Bağcı, Rector of Pamukkale University. ‘We know that recognition of the courses is one of 
the most important barriers that can face students. By gaining the credentials required for the ECTS Label, we showed 
our commitment in this direction.’ 

Throughout the Bologna Process implementation and ECTS Label application preparations, ‘we evaluated and 
updated all of our programmes and courses according to national and international standards. We reduced dupli-
cation, and the approach to courses and teaching changed. Learning outcomes became the priority. The motivation 
and response from all faculty members were outstanding. I can certainly state that we moved one step further 
in the direction of student-centred learning as opposed to teacher-centred education.’

Crucial factors in this achievement were ‘motivating the staff, educating and informing them on new develop-
ments and approaches and providing them with the necessary tools.’ A strong IT team is ‘a must’ throughout the 
process, he insists. ‘We expanded our IT team to support the implementation of the ECTS and the monitoring of 
all the stages.’

But the effort was worth it. ‘The implementation made our study programmes more visible, transparent and reli-
able for all current and prospective partner institutions.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities33

INSTITUTION
Anadolu Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.anadolu.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Yunusemre Kampusu
26470 Eskisehir
Turkey

‘Committed to constant improvement’
Anadolu University, Turkey

Anadolu aims to become ‘a world university, with a particular emphasis on lifelong learning,’ says Ender Suvaci, its 
Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs. Gaining the ECTS and Diploma Supplement Labels is a key part 
of that strategy. ‘Currently we have more outgoing than incoming students. We believe that the Label will help us 
to attract more and more students in future.’ 

The ECTS became Anadolu’s only credit calculation system in 2005. To ensure a smooth transition from its previous 
system, ‘in the 2004-5 academic year, ECTS credits for each course were allocated by the ECTS credit committees 
of each programme. An ECTS credit evaluation questionnaire was prepared by experts and distributed to students 
at the end of each course, re-evaluating the credits and assigning new ECTS credits if necessary. Basically, we do 
this every five years, so that we keep our ECTS credits updated.’

The Label was both a reward and a confirmation. ‘We knew that the quality of our procedures for international 
mobility was accurate. However, we still needed official recognition of that. Another motivation was to encourage 
the faculties and the university administration to finalise the procedure. We put lots of effort into transferring our 
local credit system to the ECTS, and we wanted to crown that with the Label. We have committed ourselves to 
constant improvement. The Label is an outcome of this philosophy.’ 

Anadolu sees itself as a ‘global 
university with a global campus.’ Some 
3 of its 16 faculties are involved in open 
and distance education. All in all, more 
than 1.7 million students are enrolled  
in its system – the second-highest figure 
in the world for a university. They 
include distance students in 19 EU 
countries. Engineering, business studies 
and aviation training are among its 
specialisms. Anadolu was awarded  
the ECTS Label in 2011.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201234

INSTITUTION
Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.mku.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Tayfur Sokmen Campus
31030 Antakya
Hatay
Turkey

Established as a public university 
in 1992, Mustafa Kemal University  
has 15 faculties, with programmes  
of four years or more. More recently,  
it has opened vocational schools  
that teach a wide range of industrial  
and agricultural subjects, and three  
post-graduate institutions. The 
University is also well known  
for its teaching hospital. It was  
awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘A prestigious label’
Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey

‘The ECTS is an instrument for building bridges between institutions and providing opportunities that might not 
otherwise be available for students to study abroad,’ says Hüsnü Salih Güder, Rector of Mustafa Kemal University. 
‘It also encourages cooperation. We applied for the Label as a way of consolidating our implementation of the 
Bologna Process.’

The ECTS Label ‘is one of the most prestigious within our system,’ he points out. ‘So we wanted to have it for both 
internal and external reasons.’ 

Externally, ‘it enhances international visibility and indicates quality assurance by the EU’.  He sees it as ‘one of our 
most important paths towards recognition, especially within the European Union. We think it will increase the popu-
larity of our exchange programmes. We expect that the mobility of both our students and our staff will increase. 
And in turn, mobility increases cultural understanding within Europe.’

He also hopes that it will encourage more students from Europe to choose Mustafa Kemal University. Currently,  
it sends some 120 exchange students per year to European countries, but receives only about 20. 

Internally, meanwhile, ‘the Label has increased our prestige at home. We noticed that more students from other 
parts of Turkey started choosing our university once we had the Label. It’s also a way of motivating staff, because 
they can see that we are now more widely recognised in Europe than we were before.’  

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities35

INSTITUTION
Marmara Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.marmara.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Marmara Üniversitesi 
Binası 
34722 Kadıköy / İstanbul
Turkey

Marmara University has about 74 000 
students and 3 000 academic staff.  
Its 15 faculties and 11 institutes cover 
most subjects, but it is particularly 
reputed for its medical and engineering 
activities and its business school. 
Teaching is in Turkish, English, German, 
French and Arabic. It was awarded  
the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘Developing relationships’
Marmara University, Turkey

‘One reason for wanting the Label was to facilitate our exchange programmes,’ explains Hamza Kandur, Vice-Rector/
Provost of Marmara University. ‘We also saw it as a tool for quality management. And we wanted an instrument for 
measuring the productivity of our students and teachers.’

The students ‘are now more aware of what to expect from the courses, of what the outcomes will be’. And teaching 
has ‘become much more interactive. Traditionally, Turkish university teaching was formal. The teacher lectured and 
then gave some sort of homework. But now the students are taken outside the classroom and have more project-
oriented activities.’ 

Marmara is a large university, so ‘managing all our programmes within one format was something of a challenge 
for us. But we got almost everyone in the university involved and we worked together on this for two or three years, 
and we managed in the end.’

One of the aims in Marmara’s current strategy plan is worldwide integration. ‘That means exchange programmes 
with other universities, joint degree programmes, joint research programmes and so on. We have a number of bilateral 
agreements under the Erasmus Programme – about 600. On top of that, we have protocols with 56 non-European 
universities on cooperation in educational and scientific fields. The ECTS Label had been very important in developing 
relationships of this kind. It makes it easier to match the programmes, as it emphasises outcomes.’ 

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201236

INSTITUTION
Fatih Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.fatih.edu.tr

ADDRESS
34500 Büyükçekmece
İstanbul 
Turkey

Fatih University has nine faculties,  
three vocational schools and five 
institutes, which aim to strengthen 
relations between industry and the 
service sectors. Out of some 15 000 
students, about 1 400 are international. 
Among the 800 academic staff, 70 are 
from abroad. Fatih has a strong 
reputation for legal and medical studies. 
It was awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘Entrepreneurship and innovation’
Fatih University, Turkey

‘We are very glad to be awarded the ECTS and DS Labels by the European Commission. These recognise our efforts to 
apply ECTS and the DS correctly,’ says Şerif Ali Tekalan, Rector of Fatih University. ‘The ECTS and DS Labels are honorary 
distinctions that facilitate cooperation with other universities, not only in Europe but also in non-European countries.’ 

‘Becoming part of the European Higher Education Area is an important goal for us and being awarded the Labels is 
an invaluable asset in that regard,’ he continues. ‘Keeping up with the Bologna Process is another crucial area for 
us. We have a dedicated Vice-Rector responsible for the application of this, and we organise meetings almost every 
week to see where we are and what could be done more.’

‘Our motto is "A world University” and in order to realise this we try to attract international students from all over 
the world. We believe our goal is partly fulfilled by our international students from 110 countries, but we do also 
give great importance to international cooperation. To boost this, we have developed relations with more than  
220 partners from all over the world.’

‘We also organise an international conference annually on higher education, particularly in relation to entrepreneur-
ship and innovation. This attracts participants from more than 50 countries.’

In addition, Fatih University provides many optional classes in languages such as English, French, Spanish, Russian, 
Arabic and Japanese.  

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities 
37

INSTITUTION
Maltepe Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
http://maltepe.edu.tr/

ADDRESS
Marmara Eğitim Köyü 
34857 Maltepe / İstanbul
Turkey

Maltepe University has over 500 
short-cycle students, 6 000 in the first 
full cycle, 1 000 in the second and  
about 200 in the third. The number of 
doctoral programmes will be increased.  
The University’s faculty of medicine is 
well known in the region thanks to its 
teaching hospital. Law and architecture 
are among its other major fields. 
Maltepe University was awarded  
the ECTS Label in 2012. 

‘Building bridges’
Maltepe University, Turkey

‘We’re excited about the Label,’ enthuses Belma Akşit, Head of Maltepe University’s Bologna Commission. ‘It’s an 
instrument for us to create transparency, build bridges between institutions and widen the choices available  
to students.’  

The programme outputs are particularly important, she feels. ‘We reviewed all our programmes and improved 
them in line with the Bologna Process criteria.’

The system also ‘facilitates our recognition of students’ learning achievements through the use of common 
measurements’. The ECTS ‘makes it very easy to sort out credit allocation during exchange procedures. And it 
motivates our academic staff to reconsider ECTS workloads for students at the beginning of each semester.’ 

The University’s implementation of the ECTS has been strongly linked to the Bologna Process. ‘A quality team 
prepared a strategic plan in line with the Bologna criteria and those of the Turkish Higher Education Council.  
One difficulty was that some professors thought it was a sort of control mechanism. In Turkish culture, this could 
be considered some kind of dominance. We’re still experiencing this issue to a certain extent, but I think our staff 
is getting used to this process.’

The number of international students at Maltepe is growing, ‘but it’s still not enough. We’re aware of the need to 
increase the number of programmes in English, as well as internship opportunities abroad. We think the ECTS is 
very helpful at this stage, as it provides equivalence.’ 

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201238

INSTITUTION
T.C. İstanbul Kültür Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.iku.edu.tr

ADDRESS
E5 Freeway Bakirkoy 34156
Istanbul
Turkey

Istanbul Kültür University has almost  
10 000 students who are taught by  
596 staff. Practical innovation is  
the focus of its 19 research centres,  
in fields ranging from brain dynamics  
to molecular biology and robotics.  
There is an emphasis on contract work: 
for instance, one centre checks if 
buildings in Istanbul are earthquake-
proof. It was awarded the ECTS Label  
in 2012.

‘The best quality assurance’
Istanbul Kültür University, Turkey

‘We seek academic excellence, so we wanted to go for the best quality assurance system,’ explains Sıddıka 
Semahat Demir, President of Istanbul Kültür University. ‘The ECTS Label is the best of all. And we received it for 
all our levels of teaching, from undergraduate to postgraduate. It helped us to learn who we are and what we can 
do much better.’   

As an example of that, she cites the national accreditation of the University’s maths, molecular biology and 
genetics, physics, Turkish language and literature, and psychology programmes. ‘That happened in parallel to our 
ECTS application, so they were both learning experiences and one supported the other.’

And when it comes to Erasmus and other European exchange programmes, ‘the Label really helps our students 
to come back to our campus in the knowledge that they will have earned equivalent credits. That really encour-
ages them to go on an Erasmus in the first place.’ Meanwhile, the number of incoming students from other 
countries has increased. ‘They recognise us because we have the Label.’ 

The University’s European and International Studies Office eases the paperwork for incoming students, and pro-
vides orientation services and mentoring during their first weeks there. ‘They’re made very welcome, and some 
of them may consider coming back here for another semester, or for graduate school or even to be employed by 
us. I really enjoy the activities that I attend with them, because I learn a lot from them too.’  

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities39

INSTITUTION
İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.aydin.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Beşyol Mah. İnönü Cad. No:40
Sefaköy
Küçükçekmece
Istanbul
Turkey

Istanbul Aydin University has 3 graduate 
schools, 10 faculties, a school of foreign 
languages, 3 vocational schools and  
187 different programmes in total.  
With 26 070 students and more than  
800 academic staff, it is particularly 
known for its teaching of engineering, 
architecture, economics and admin-
istrative sciences. It was awarded the 
ECTS Label and DS Label in 2012. 

‘A Europe-wide benchmark’
Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey

‘We have been implementing the ECTS in all our programmes since 2009,’ points out Yadigar Izmirli, Rector at 
Istanbul Aydin University. ‘We recognise that, particularly at the Label level, it sets the most comprehensive 
framework for defining study programmes and their educational components on the basis of learning outcomes. 
It’s a Europe-wide benchmark for international visibility and transparency.’

Receiving the Label ‘has already created confidence among faculty staff that we are doing things right. It has raised 
the prestige of the University in Turkey and in Europe. This is reflected in the increased number of bilateral agree-
ments with European universities and, hence, Erasmus students. It will also help to increase our institutional coop-
eration with European universities.’ 

As part of its internationalisation strategy, the University has increased its teaching in English. It offers a 50 % 
scholarship on tuition fees to international students and provides them with free Turkish language courses. Foreign 
students are assigned Academic Consultants who help them all the way through their studies at the University. Via 
its AYSIS database, students can monitor their progress and follow their timetable. AYSIS also enables them to see 
their credits and other details about each course they take. The University’s International Office organises social 
and cultural activities and promotes its courses worldwide by increasing the number of framework agreements. 

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201240

INSTITUTION
Ege Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.ege.edu.tr 

ADDRESS
Rektörlüğü  
Gençlik Caddesi No:12
35040 Bornova-IZMIR
Türkei

‘The common language of mobility’
Ege University, Turkey

Ege University currently has 60 000 
students and about 1 700 teaching staff, 
plus 1 500 research assistants. Its 
Technology Transfer Office networks 
with a number of European universities 
on research work. Ege is particularly 
well known for its medical and 
engineering sciences. It was awarded 
the ECTS Label in 2011.

‘Internationalisation is the priority in our strategic plan. That’s why we decided to apply for the Label,’ explains 
Süheyda Atalay, ECTS/DS Coordinator at Ege University. ‘It’s a good tool for achieving both transparency and 
recognition.’

Ege was the first Turkish university to send Erasmus students abroad, she recalls. ‘We came to learn that the 
ECTS is the common language of mobility. Every year, we have increased the number of mobile students.’

These days, Ege sends some 550 students to EU countries each year, and hosts about 150 incoming students. ‘That’s 
a big imbalance,’ she feels. ‘It’s mainly because most of our courses are taught in Turkish, although we do provide 
some special teaching in English for incoming students. We hope the Label will help us to internationalise.’

Turkish universities have traditionally used a study credit system based on contact hours. ‘The ECTS depends on 
the students’ workloads and learning outcomes,’ she points out. ‘So we started by asking departmental coordina-
tors and heads of department to write their down the key learning outcomes of their programmes, also in terms 
of the graduates’ employability. It wasn’t always easy, because this is one of Turkey’s oldest universities and the 
staff aren’t used to these kinds of issues. But the Rector and Vice-Rectors motivated them, and altogether some 
20 000 courses were reorganised according to learning outcomes, bringing them all into line with the ECTS.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities41

INSTITUTION
İzmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü

WEBSITE
www.iyte.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Urla, İzmir 35430 
Turkey

‘Providing leverage’
İzmir Institute of Technology, Turkey

‘The Label is a significant quality assurance system, and we wanted to have that in our university,’ explains Sedat 
Akkurt, Vice-President responsible for International Relations at the İzmir Institute of Technology. 

‘We have greatly benefited from the Label,’ he says. ‘All our course descriptions are now available online, which was 
not the case before we applied. It used not to be possible to get all the professors to keep a written record of course 
descriptions, but now with the leverage provided by the ECTS application process, we have achieved that.’

‘The Label is part of the Institute’s internationalisation strategy,’ he confirms. ‘These things don’t happen overnight, 
but it’s a significant step for us. We hope to gain benefits from it in future. Internationalisation is a long-term process.’  
The Institute already has ‘multiple tools to attract students from other countries’ but ‘there are many factors that 
are beyond our control. Most international students who come to Turkey end up in Istanbul. It’s a very attractive 
destination for them. The city of Izmir is not very well known in Europe or other parts of the world’. 

‘But here in our university, we’re doing our best. All courses are offered entirely in English. And, of course, our involve-
ment with the ECTS process is an important part of our efforts. But we need to do a lot more to publicise the city, 
the university and the neighbourhood.’     

The İzmir Institute of Technology has  
3 500 students and 170 teaching staff. 
There are also 210 research assistants and 
30 specialists. The three faculties cover 
engineering, science and architecture.  
İzmir has bilateral cooperation agreements 
with institutions in most European 
countries, as well as some parts of Asia 
and the USA. It was awarded the ECTS  
Label in 2012.

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201242

INSTITUTION
İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.ieu.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Sakarya Cd. No:156 
35330 Balçova İzmir
Turkey

The İUE has nine faculties, covering 
most areas of science and education.  
Its 6 500 students are from 48 
countries, and are taught by 748 staff. 
In 2012, there were 60 incoming and  
62 outgoing Erasmus students. The  
aim is to increase this to 250 in each 
direction by 2018. Also enrolled are 
students from 32 African countries, 
supported by the İzmir Chamber of 
Commerce. İUE was awarded the ECTS 
label in 2011. 

‘It attracts quality students’
İzmir University of Economics (İUE), Turkey

‘Our reason for taking part, both as a nation and as an institution, is internationalisation.’  As Acting Rector Cemali 
Dinçer points out, the İUE was founded in 2001, the year that Turkey opted to take part in the Bologna Process. 

So cross-border education was on the agenda right from the start. ‘All of our teaching here is in English, apart 
from the faculty of law. We decided that internationalisation must be the primary strategic area of our institution. 
The Diploma Supplement was an important way of demonstrating the transparency of our education system. We 
set up a Bologna commission, with sub-committees in each school and department, and this eventually led  
to our receiving the Label.’  

It was the first Turkish foundation university to achieve this. Authorised since 1984, the foundation universities 
are non-profit institutions supported by foundations. There are now more than 80 of these universities in Turkey, 
alongside the State system.

‘The Label’s pulling power on students within the country has become an important asset,’ Cemali Dinçer says. 
‘We’re using it in all the media to attract quality students into our programmes. State universities are free  
of charge in Turkey, while foundation universities have significant tuition fees. We offer various kinds of help, such 
as bursaries or free accommodation. But I’ve noticed that the Label has a substantial effect on the choice  
of university by Turkish students and their parents.’   

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities43

INSTITUTION
Yaşar Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.yasar.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Universite Cad. No: 35-37 
35100 Bornova Izmir
Turkey

‘Keen to harmonise’
Yaşar University, Turkey

‘We’re very keen to be part of the harmonisation of higher education in Europe,’ emphasises Ayselin Gözde Yıldız, 
Director of the EU Center at Yaşar University. ‘We realised that applying for the Label could also assist our work on 
quality assurance and accreditation. That’s why we decided, in 2009, to move over from our local credit system to 
the ECTS. It’s more transparent and it facilitates mobility.’

‘Two years were needed for the transition to the new system,’ she says. ‘You have to inform all your students and 
staff about the new system, why we are harmonizing our education with the European system, and what will be 
the impact and results. Some people questioned the need for this at first. But now, all stakeholders are aware of 
the system and are now taking steps to improve it. It was not always an easy process, but it was a fair one. The 
ECTS approach is more student-centred and getting people to transcribe their credits was also a way of changing 
mentalities.’

Yaşar’s current five-year strategy emphasises internationalisation. ‘For our strategic planning, we use a SWOT 
analysis with the participation of the students and staff. That led to the inclusion of internationalisation as an 
official strategic aim. We emphasise high-quality mobility, transferable credits and the use of the ECTS. Now we 
have an infrastructure, and we feel that the next step is to seek international accreditation. The ECTS is making 
that task easier. It’s harmonisation through standardisation.’     

Yaşar University has 6 000 students.  
Its EU Research Center promotes  
its participation in EU education and 
research programmes. The Centre is 
running several EU projects involving 
short-term intensive courses, training 
programmes and e-learning. It also 
offers project management training.  
The University was awarded the  
ECTS Label in 2012. 

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201244

INSTITUTION
Mersin Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.mersin.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Çiftlikköy Kampusu 
33343 Yenisehir / Mersin
Turkey

‘Symbol of determination’
Mersin University, Turkey

Mersin University currently has some  
30 000 students. Almost half of them 
are in vocational education, with  
strong links to the local community.  
Some 600 teaching staff work in its  
12 faculties and 20 vocational schools. 
Middle Eastern countries have 
expressed interest in sending students 
for vocational training. Logistics is  
a major study focus. The University  
was awarded the ECTS Label in 2012.

‘Our motto says we’re a truly global university, and that’s what we want to be,’ insists Mersin University’s Vice-Rector 
Mustafa Aksan. ‘We want to internationalise our systems so that we can keep up with contemporary developments 
in higher education. We would like to be more in tune with the rest of the world and especially the European 
system, as Turkey is a candidate for EU membership. Harmonising our university education is one of the first steps 
that we had to take. The European Commission concluded that this chapter of the accession process is complete 
because Turkey has fulfilled all the requirements. The universities are a driving force for Turkish integration into 
the EU.’

Holding the Label is ‘a symbol of our determination and our efforts,’ he feels. ‘Among the Turkish universities that 
applied for the Label, there are only eight state universities. The other seven are older and well established.  
So the Label is very important to us, as a mark of our position among the country’s universities.’

He points out that the Turkish higher education system is ‘relatively centralised, with a well-defined legal frame. 
Within those limits, we have done everything that we can to make the university more global. But we had only 
about 10 or 15 Erasmus students last year. We hope the Label will help us to attract more. We’ve now realised 
the importance of publicity, and we’re producing material in English and other languages.’

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities45

INSTITUTION
Çağ Üniversitesi

WEBSITE
www.cag.edu.tr

ADDRESS
Mersin Karayolu Üzeri Yenice
33800 Mersin 
Turkey

‘Committed to becoming international’
Çağ University, Turkey

‘In 2005, the Bologna Process became part of Turkey’s national education policy,’ recalls Ilhan Ozturk, Director of 
International Relations at Çağ University. ‘Two elements of that were the Diploma Supplement and the ECTS Label. 
So we started preparing to apply for them.’

The groundwork included a drive to attract in more students from abroad. ‘Initially, we at Çağ didn’t have incoming 
students from a sufficient number of countries and institutions to qualify. So in 2011, we were the first higher edu-
cation institution in Turkey to offer incentives to incoming students, such as free accommodation, free lunch and 
free transportation. We then received 20 students from 6 different countries, and in 2012 the number of incoming 
students rose to about 90. So then we applied for the ECTS Label.’ 

The application process ‘has made our education policies transparent. We redesigned all our courses, as well as their 
objectives and outcomes. The range of books covered by the courses increased. It has brought many advantages.’ 

Çağ University has three faculties – law, 
arts and sciences, and business and 
economics. There are around 3 450 
students and some 140 academic staff. 
Çağ University has bilateral agreements 
with 34 European Higher Education 
Institutions, mainly within the Erasmus 
exchange programme. There are also 
two agreements with American 
universities. It was awarded the ECTS 
label in 2012. 

All of Çağ University’s programmes are taught in English, plus a second foreign language – usually Spanish, French 
or German.  ‘So like other foundation universities in Turkey, we really don’t have any language problems. The teaching 
is perfectly accessible to students from other countries. The Label demonstrates our commitment to becoming an 
international university.’   

ECTS Label Holders 2011 & 201246

INSTITUTION
Universitetet i Nordland

WEBSITE
www.uin.no

ADDRESS
P.B.14 90
8049 Bodø
Norway

‘Joint degrees are the priority’
University of Nordland, Norway 

The University of Nordland currently has 
6 100 students and 640 staff spread 
across three campuses. Undergraduate, 
postgraduate and doctoral courses are 
offered in professional studies, social 
sciences, business and management  
and natural sciences. Joint degrees with 
Russian and Slovak universities cover 
sustainable management, energy 
management, animal science and 
borderology. It was awarded the ECTS 
Label in 2012.

‘The University of Nordland had an internal and an external reason for applying for the Label,’ says Monica Brobakk, 
Head of its International Office. 

‘Internally, it was quite a good quality assurance project, as we worked with the ECTS study handbook and trans-
lated everything into English. So we focussed on transparency of processes and institutionalising internationalisa-
tion. Applying for the Label established internationalisation, as a concept within the institution, more than it had 
been before.’

Externally, ‘having exchange procedure evaluated by experts, a transparent mobility culture, having learning 
outcomes translated, and an entire course catalogue in English on the websites – these are all good ways of 
attracting students and staff to our university, as well as potential partner institutions. It also helps employers to 
interpret the diplomas from our institution.’

The university is in the north of Norway, close to the Arctic, ‘so it is important to combine the Arctic dimension 
with the European focus. We have just established our fourth joint degree, which is a priority within the institution. 
Some 10 % of our students are from other countries. We believe the Label will be an added value, helping to 
increase mobility both ways, and also to attract more international teaching staff. ’  

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities47

Diploma Supplement 
Labels  
2011 & 2012
T he aim of the Diploma Supplement (DS) is to facilitate 

employment on the international labour market. It accom-
panies a higher education diploma, providing a standard-
ised description of the nature, level, context, content and status 
of the studies completed by its holder. The Diploma Supplement 
is written in a widely spoken European language.

New qualifications are proliferating worldwide and countries are 
constantly changing their qualification systems and educational 
structures. With an increasing number of mobile citizens seeking 
fair recognition of their qualifications outside their home countries, 
the non-recognition and poor evaluation of qualifications is now 
a global problem. Since original credentials alone do not provide 
sufficient information, it is very difficult to gauge the level and 
function of a qualification without detailed explanations.

The Diploma Supplement is a response to these challenges, aid-
ing mobility and access to lifelong learning opportunities. It pro-
motes transparency in higher education and fair and informed 
judgements about qualifications. It also accommodates rapid 
changes in qualifications. 

Higher Education Institutions produce the supplement according 
to a template jointly developed by the European Commission, the 
Council of Europe and UNESCO. In the new Erasmus+ education, 
training and youth programme, every Higher Education Institution 
taking part in Erasmus student mobility will undertake to provide 
the Diploma Supplement to each of its students, further spread-
ing this practice across Europe.

In 2011 and 2012 a total of 132 institutions (59 in 2011 and 
73 in 2012) were awarded the DS Label for their correct applica-
tion in providing their students with Diploma Supplements. 

Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 201248

Awarding 
Year

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

City

2011

Haute École de la Province de Liège

The Higher Education Institution of the Province of Liège

Jemeppe

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

Mendelova univerzita v Brně

Mendel University of Brno

University of Defence

Brno

Brno

Universiy of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

České Budějovice

Univerzita obrany

Jihočeská univerzita 
v Českých Budějovicích

Moravská vysoká škola Olomouc

Moravian University College Olomouc

Vysoká škola logistiky o.p.s.

College of Logistics

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická  
v Českých Budějovicích

The Institute of Technology and Business  
in České Budějovice

Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Palacký University Olomouci

Vysoká škola finanční a správní, O.P.S.

The University of Finance and Administration (VŠFS)

Anglo-americká vysoká škola, O.P.S.

Anglo-American University

Danmarks Medie- og Journalisthøjskole

Danish School of Media and Journalism

Aarhus Maskinmesterskole

Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering

Maskinmesterskole København

Copenhagen School of Marine Engineering 
and Technology Management

Professionshøjskolen Sjælland

University College Sjælland

Professionshøjskolen Lillebælt

University College Lillebaelt

Olomouc

Přerov I-Město

Prague

České Budějovice

Olomouci

Prague

Prague

Århus

Århus

Lyngby

Sorø

Odense

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities49

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

City

Hochschule Harz –  
Hochschule für angewandte  
Wissenschaften (FH)

Hochschule Harz – University of Applied Sciences

Wernigerode

Ανώτατη Σχολή Παιδαγωγικής και 
Τεχνολογικής Εκπαίδευσης

School of Pedagogical & Technological Education

Athens

Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Πειραιά

Technological Educational Institute of Pireaus

Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Κρήτης

Technological Educational Institute of Crete

Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 

Διεθνές Πανεπιστήμιο Ελλάδος

International Hellenic University

Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας

University of Thessaly

Kavala Institute of Technology

Aegaleo

Iraklio

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Volos

Kavala

Technologiko Ekpaideytiko Idryma  
Tei Kavalas

Technologiko Ekpedeftiko Idrima Ditikis 
Makedonias

Technological Educational Institution of Western Macedonia

Kozani

IPAC

CEESO Paris – Centre Européen 
d’Enseignement Supérieur de l’Ostéopathie

IPAC

CEESO Paris

CEESO Lyon – Centre Européen 
d’Enseignement Supérieur de l’Ostéopathie

CEESO Lyon

Annecy

Paris

Lyon

2011

Université de la Rochelle

University of La Rochelle

La Rochelle

Awarding 
Year

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 201250

Awarding 
Year

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

City

2011

École supérieure de Chimie Physique 
Électronique de Lyon

Lyon School of Chemistry Physics and Electronics

Villeurbanne

2011

Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour

University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Pau

Conservatorio di Musica  
“Giovan Battista Martini”

Giovan Battista Martini State Music Conservatoire

Bologna

Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli

Academy of Fine Arts of Napoli

Giuseppe Martucci State Music Conservatoire 

Napoli

Salerno

2012

2012

2012

2012

Conservatorio di Musica  
“Giuseppe Martucci” Salerno

Conservatorio di Musica  
“Francesco Antonio Bonporti”

Francesco Antonio Bonporti State Music Conservatoire

Trento

2011

Università di Pisa

University of Pisa

2012

2012

2011

2012

2012

2011

2011

American College

American College

Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου

European University Cyprus

Πανεπιστήμιο Frederick

Frederick University

Liepājas Universitāte

Liepaja University

Rīgas Celtniecības koledža

Riga Building College

Daugavpils Universitāte

Daugavpils University

Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte

Latvia University of Agriculture

Pisa

Nicosia

Nicosia

Nicosia

Liepāja

Riga

Daugavpils

Jelgava

Internationalisation in Europe’s universities51

City

Riga

Riga

Riga

Msida

Maastricht

Rotterdam

Utrecht

Eindhoven

Awarding 
Year

2011

2011

2011

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

Jāzepa Vītola Latvijas Mūzikas Akadēmija

Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music

Banku augstskola

BA School of Business and Finance

Transporta un sakaru institūts

Transport and Telecommunication Institute

2012

L-Università ta’ Malta

University of Malta

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

Universiteit Maastricht

Hogeschool Rotterdam

Hogeschool Utrecht

Fontys Hogescholen

Wageningen Universiteit  
and Research Centrum)

Maastricht University

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Wageningen UR (University & Research Centre)

Wageningen

Fachhochschule Kufstein Tirol

University of Applied Sciences Kufstein

Private Pädagogische Hochschule  
der Diözese Linz

The Private University College of Education  
of the Diocese of Linz

Fachhochschule Salzburg

Salzburg University of Applied Sciences 

Fachhochschule St. Pölten

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Fachhochschule Technikum Wien

University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien

Fachhochschule FH Campus Wien

University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien

Kufstein

Linz

Salzburg

Sankt Pölten

Wien

Wien

Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 201252

Awarding 
Year

2011

2011

2011

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck

University of Innsbruck

FHG – Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol 
GmbH

Fachhochschule Kärnten Gemeinnützige 
Privatstiftung

University of Applied Sciences Tyrol

CUAS – Carinthia University of Applied Sciences

City

Innsbruck

Innsbruck

Villach /  
St. Magdalen

2012

Vysoká škola manažmentu

School of Management

Trenčín

2012

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto

Lappeenranta University of Technology

Lappeenranta

Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

Rovaniemen ammattikorkeakoulu

Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences

Turun ammattikorkeakoulu

Turku University of Applied Sciences

Savonia-Ammattikorkeakoulu

Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Keski-Pohjanmaan Ammattikorkeakoulu 
– Mellersta Österbottens Yrkeshögskola 
(Kpamk – Möyh)

Central Ostrobothnia University of Applied Sciences

Högskolan i Gävle

Stockholms universitet

Karolinska Institutet

Högskolan Väst

Umeå universitet

University of Gävle

Stockholm University

Karolinska Institute

University West

Umeå University

Pori

Rovaniemi

Turku

Kuopio

Kokkola

Gävle

Stockholm

Stockholm

Trollhättan

Umeå

Internationalisation in Europe’s universitiesAwarding 
Year

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

2012

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

Linnéuniversitetet

Högskolan i Borås

Högskolan Dalarna

Linnæus University

University of Borås

Dalarna University

Göteborgs universitet

University of Gothenburg

Chalmers tekniska högskola

Chalmers University of Technology

Blekinge Tekniska Högskola

Blekinge Institute of Technology

Karlstads universitet

Karlstad University

Luleå tekniska universitet

Luleå University of Technology

Lunds universitet

Mittuniversitetet

Högskolan i Skövde

Lund University

Mid Sweden University

University of Skövde

Kungliga tekniska högskolan

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Uppsala universitet

Uppsala University

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Mälardalens högskola

Mälardalen University

Hólaskólı – Háskolınn Á Hólum

Holar University College

Háskólinn Á Akureyri

Listaháskóli Islands

University of Akureyri

Iceland Academy of the Arts

53

City

Växjö

Borås

Falun

Gothenburg

Gothenburg

Karlskrona

Karlstad

Luleå

Lund

Sundsvall

Skövde

Stockholm

Uppsala

Uppsala

Västerås

Saudárkrokur

Sankt Pölten

Reykjavík

Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 201254

Awarding 
Year

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

Çukurova Üniversitesi

Çukurova University

City

Adana

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2011

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi

Afyon Kocatepe University

Afyonkarahisar

Uludağ Üniversitesi

Uludağ Üniversitesi

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Düzce Üniversitesi

Duzce University

Gaziantep Üniversitesi

University of Gaziantep

Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi

Mustafa Kemal University

İstanbul Üniversitesi

Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi

Beykent Üniversitesi

Fatih Üniversitesi

Maltepe Üniversitesi

Istanbul University

Bahçeşehir University

University of Beykent 

Fatih University

Maltepe University

İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi

Istanbul Aydin University

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi

Dumlupınar Üniversitesi

Mersin Üniversitesi

Nevşehir Üniversitesi

Niğde Üniversitesi

Dokuz Eylul University

Dumlupinar University

Mersin University

Nevsehir University

Nigde University

Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi

Bülent Ecevit University

Gazi Üniversitesi

Akdeniz Üniversitesi

Balıkesir Üniversitesi

Gazi University

Akdeniz University

Balıkesir University

Bursa

Çanakkale

Düzce

Gaziantep

Antakya

Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Izmir

Kütahya

Mersin

Nevşehir

Niğde

Zonguldak

Ankara

Antalya

Balıkesir

Internationalisation in Europe’s universitiesAwarding 
Year

Higher Education Institution

Higher Education Institution
(in English)

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2011

2011

2011

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy Üniversitesi

Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Pamukkale Üniversitesi

Pamukkale University

Fırat Üniversitesi

Atatürk Üniversitesi

Fırat University

Atatürk University

Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi

Süleyman Demirel University

Koç Üniversitesi

Yaşar Üniversitesi

Karabük Üniversitesi

Kocaeli Üniversitesi

Çağ Üniversitesi

Koç University

Yaşar University

Karabük University

Kocaeli University

Çağ University

Namık Kemal Üniversitesi

Namık Kemal University

Høgskolen i Bergen

Høgskolen i Molde

Høgskolen i Telemark

Universitetet i Tromsø

Høgskulen i Volda

Høgskolen i Harstad

Bergen University College

Molde University College

Telemark University College

University of Tromsø

Volda University College

Harstad University College

Kunsthøgskolen i Bergen

Bergen National Academy of Arts

Høgskolen i Buskerud

Buskerud University College

55

City

Burdur

Denizli

Elaziğ

Erzurum

Isparta

Istanbul

Izmir

Karabük

Kocaeli

Mersin

Tekirdağ

Bergen

Molde

Porsgrunn

Tromsø

Volda

Harstad

Bergen

Kongsberg

Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 2012European Commission
ECTS and Diploma Supplement Label Holders 2011 & 2012
Internationalisation in Europe’s universities

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
2014 — 56pp. — 250 x 176 mm

ISBN 978-92-79-27155-7
doi:10.2766/40497

More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu).

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014

ISBN 978-92-79-27155-7
doi: 10.2766/40497

© European Union, 2014
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Printed in Belgium

Printed on elemental chlorine-free bleached paper (ECF)

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ECTS and 
Diploma Supplement  
Label Holders 2011 & 2012

Internationalisation 
in Europe’s universities

doi:10.2766/40497

Education and 
training