Information from the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) (Modus)
Information from the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) (Modus)
The German Rectors' Conference (HRK) has, in the context of the
. The terms recognition and credit transfer are clearly and defined in the handbook with a clear practical connection. The historically evolved use of language at the KU, which is also anchored in the crediting guidelines, differs from this in nuances. However, there are no factual contradictions. The definitions of the HRK are reproduced here for general clarification.
HRK definition of recognition (Anerkennung)
The recognition of skills and achievements acquired at other universities or in another degree program contributes to the promotion of national and international mobility and thus promotes lifelong learning and flexible paths of learning. The basic idea of recognition is not to check acquired skills more than once and to recognize learning outcomes that have been acquired elsewhere in a quality-assured manner. From a practical perspective, recognition means that the recognizing university treats the credits earned at another university or in another degree program as if they had been earned in its own degree program.
The recognition of learning outcomes plays a central role in the following contexts:
- Starting a course of study,
- Change of degree program within a university,
- Change of university (national or international),
- Temporary stays abroad.
HRK definition of credit transfer (Anrechnung)
Credit transfer for skills acquired outside the higher educational sector for university studies promotes a flexible educational system and contributes to individual, flexible paths of learning. Credit transfer offers non-traditional students in particular, for example those who have completed vocational training and gained professional experience prior to their studies, the opportunity to shorten their times of study and helps them align their studies with their individual lifestyles better. In this way, different educational biographies are welcomed within the academic system, equal opportunities are promoted and lifelong learning is supported. The core idea of credit transfer is that knowledge and skills already acquired that correspond to a university achievement are accepted as such. The university accepting the credit transfer therefore treats the work completed elsewhere as if it had been completed at its own university; it does not have to be completed again by the student.