EAHEA Credit Systems are four independent evaluation metrics established by the European Association for Higher Education Advancement. Each one measures the total nominal workload of a program or a course at a level of education, from short courses and executive workshops to doctoral-level executive programs: MUC, PAC, ILC and EUC.
The Four Credit Systems
Modular Units of Competency (MUC)
Short courses, workshops and executive training modules.
Professional Advancement Credits (PAC)
Bachelor-level professional tracks, professional diplomas and applied career advancement programs.
Institutional Learning Credits (ILC)
Master’s-level executive tracks, MBA programs and advanced professional postgraduate diplomas.
Executive Units of Competency (EUC)
Executive doctoral programs, applied research tracks and senior leadership qualifications.
Credit Values at a Glance
| Credit System | Full Name | Level | One Credit Equals |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUC | Modular Units of Competency | High school, college and secondary level study, continuing education, short courses and certificates | 10 to 15 hours of total nominal workload |
| PAC | Professional Advancement Credits | Professional certificates and associate and bachelor level study | 20 to 25 hours of total nominal workload |
| ILC | Institutional Learning Credits | Licentiate, postgraduate and master’s level study | 25 to 30 hours of total nominal workload |
| EUC | Executive Units of Competency | Doctoral level study | 30 to 35 hours of total nominal workload |
Where EAHEA Applies Them
The credits are used in Program Accreditation, Course Accreditation and ECTS Certification. A program is measured in the credit system of its level, and short courses are measured in MUC.
EAHEA credits are independent professional metrics. They are distinct from state-accredited higher education degree systems and from ECTS.
Trademark Notice and Authorized Use
MUC, PAC, ILC and EUC, together with the full names Modular Units of Competency, Professional Advancement Credits, Institutional Learning Credits and Executive Units of Competency, are registered trademarks of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA). The EAHEA Credit Systems, including their names, frameworks, calculation methods and notation, are the property of EAHEA.
The authority to award these credits belongs solely to EAHEA. An institution or organization may calculate, award, state or display these credits only if EAHEA has authorized it as a provider, either as an institution accredited by EAHEA and listed in the Accredited Institutions directory, or as an institution approved by EAHEA for the EAHEA Credit Systems alone and listed in the ECS Database (EAHEA Credit Systems Database), at that time. The authorization of an institution can be verified in the respective directory.
Any other use of these names or credits, including on certificates, transcripts, websites, advertising or other materials, requires the prior written permission of EAHEA and is otherwise not permitted. EAHEA may withdraw an authorization when its conditions are no longer met and reserves the right to take legal action against unauthorized use.