European credit transfer system: (also called European credit mutual recognition system, hereinafter referred to as ECTS) focuses on credit transfer. Developed and implemented by Council of Europe, it is the earliest credit system developed in the world and the only one in Europe that has been proved to be relatively successful by experiments.

As of 20 1 1, 53 countries and regions have signed the Bologna Declaration and become participants in the European credit transfer system. According to this framework, the first cycle is a bachelor's degree, which requires at least three years of study time, corresponding to 180-240 ECTS credits; The second cycle is a master's degree, which takes one to two years, corresponding to 60- 120 ECTS credits; The third phase is a doctoral degree, and no clear requirements for credits and hours have been given yet. ECTS is a common credit standard in Europe, which provides a platform for mutual recognition, conversion and accumulation of credits between different educational institutions and students' transfer.

Commonwealth countries also have credit systems. The undergraduate course lasts for three years, and the master's degree is divided into one year of teaching and two years of research. The credit depends on the school, which means it will be different, but it is generally about 60 credits a year.