Many working professionals start a degree and pay for modules they already master. Studying shorter and cheaper is possible when you use your prior learning correctly. Vocational training, work experience, professional certifications, or previous academic credits can be recognised toward your degree. The problem: most people do not know how much of their background actually qualifies. That is exactly what the Credit Check is for.
What Is the Credit Check and How Does It Work?
The Credit Check is a free online tool that shows you in about 2 minutes whether your prior learning can shorten your degree. You answer a few questions about your training, work experience, and previous academic achievements. At the end, you receive an initial assessment of your credit transfer potential.
No login, no fine print. You find out immediately whether a closer review is worth it.
Who should take the check?
- You have completed vocational training or a professional certification
- You bring several years of work experience
- You have completed modules at a university, even if you dropped out
- You have continuing education courses or certificates with ECTS ratings
If at least one of these applies to you, there is a good chance that you can get ECTS credits recognised.
How Credit Transfer Saves You Semesters and Tuition Fees
Recognition of prior learning has a double effect: you study for less time and pay less money. With a part-time degree programme charging 300 euros per month and a reduction of six months, you save 1,800 euros. On top of that, you gain back time you would otherwise spend on modules whose content you already know from your professional life.
Some universities recognise up to 50 percent of the total ECTS. For a bachelor's programme with 180 ECTS, that can mean up to 90 ECTS. However, the difference between universities is enormous. While one institution recognises 40 ECTS, another grants only 10 for the same profile. Your choice of university determines how much you actually save.
From over 120 consultations, I know this: most working professionals underestimate their credit transfer potential. They expect the full study workload and are surprised when one or two semesters suddenly fall away. The Credit Check gives you an initial orientation in just a few minutes, before you commit.
Good to know
Credit transfer does not only work at distance learning universities. On-campus and blended learning programmes also recognise prior learning. What matters is that your competencies match the module content. Private universities often have standardised processes and tend to be more generous. But public universities also offer individual credit transfer, although the process usually takes longer.
What Prior Learning Qualifies for Credit Transfer?
There are three main categories that universities consider:
1. Professional qualifications Vocational certifications such as specialist qualifications (Fachwirt, Meister, Techniker) are recognised at many universities on a blanket basis. This means you automatically receive a fixed number of ECTS without individual review. For a Fachwirt, this can be up to 30 ECTS depending on the university.
2. Work experience Years of professional experience can be recognised individually or on a blanket basis. The key factor is whether your practical competencies match the learning objectives of specific modules. Leadership experience, project management, technical expertise, and industry-specific knowledge are particularly valuable. Read more in the article on credit transfer for work experience.
3. Previous academic achievements Modules from a discontinued or completed degree programme can often be transferred. As long as the content is comparable and the achievement was earned at an accredited university, the chances are good. This also applies to continuing education courses with ECTS ratings.
Every recognised module is one less module you need to study, learn, and pass exams for. When studying alongside a full-time job, that can make all the difference.
After the Credit Check: What Happens Next
Your result shows how high your credit transfer potential is likely to be. If it looks promising, the next step pays off: a personal review of your documents.
In a free initial consultation, I review your profile in detail. I know the credit transfer procedures of my network of over 20 partner universities and can tell you where your prior learning yields the best results. Together, we find the programme where you save the most, both time and money.
In my consultation process, the credit transfer review is a fixed part. You know exactly how many modules and fees you save before you enrol.
Conclusion
The Credit Check shows you in 2 minutes whether you can study shorter and cheaper. Training, work experience, and previous academic credits are worth real money when you use them correctly. Check your potential before you enrol. Take the free Credit Check now.