Shortened Programme

Admitted students who have completed course work at a university can apply for a Shortened Programme. You can request exemptions for 30 or 60 ECTS credits (1 or 2 semesters of course work). Other amounts are not possible. 

Requests are subject to individual assessment by and approval of the UCU Exam Board.

Be aware that only credits for courses that were NOT part of your admissions criteria can be used towards exemptions as part of a Shortened Programme. If you are unsure, check if the university education you completed is stated as a condition in your offer letter. If you completed more courses than what is noted in your letter, you can still have those considered for exempted credit at UCU. 

Make sure to read up on the Shortened Programme section of the Academic Rules & Regulations before you apply.

Please be aware that you will need to complete at least 2 years of study at UCU, meaning that if you shorten your programme by 60 ECTS credits, you will no longer be able to go on exchange. 

How to apply? 

Admitted students can apply for a Shortened Programme in OSIRIS Online Application after receiving their offer of conditional admission. The following documents are necessary for the application: 

  • An official transcript of the courses you have completed, including the course name, grade and credits received for the courses.
  • Syllabi for all the courses you would want to count towards the exempted credits of your Shortened Programme – if you have 90 ECTS worth of courses, you wouldn’t have to provide syllabi for all 90 but only for the ones that make up 30 or 60 ECTS. Please combine these into one PDF file.
  • An official explanation of the grading system used at your previous university (usually this is offered as part of an official transcript). 

Applicants receive a decision from the Exam Board before the start of the first semester. If your request for a Shortened Programme is granted, you may adjust the course choices you submitted during course pre-enrolment in consultation with your tutor, during the drop/add period.