ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer. Youthpass is the European tool to improve the recognition of the learning outcomes of young people and youth workers from their participation in projects supported by the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Solidarity Corps. Youthpass and ECTS are recognised in practice by employers and universities. Our guide on what Youthpass is explains the certificate, and how to put Youthpass on your CV and LinkedIn covers the job side.
Last updated: October 2026.
Is Youthpass the same as ECTS?
No: ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer, while Youthpass consists of certificates that can be obtained by participants and a defined process which supports young people, youth workers and youth organisations to reflect about the learning outcomes from an Erasmus+ project in the field of youth and non-formal learning.
💳 ECTS: The objective of ECTS is to facilitate planning, delivery and evaluation of study programmes and learner mobility through the recognition of qualifications and periods of learning.
📜 Youthpass: Youthpass is also part of a broader European Commission strategy which aims to enhance the recognition of non-formal and informal learning and of youth work in Europe and beyond.
🎓 Not a diploma: Youthpass is not a diploma or a professional qualification and does not bring a job or recognition on its own; its value is that it makes your learning structured and easy to explain.
Our guide on what Youthpass is explains the certificate in detail, and what non-formal education is explains the kind of learning Youthpass records.
How many ECTS credits is a study period?
In Erasmus+ student mobility, an academic year of full-time study in countries belonging to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is normally made up of educational components totalling 60 ECTS credits, or equivalent units in countries outside the EHEA. For mobility periods shorter than a full academic year, it is recommended that the educational components included in the learning agreement are adjusted proportionally.
In an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, each of the two mandatory study periods must correspond to a workload of at least one academic semester (30 ECTS credits or equivalent). For study programmes of 60 ECTS credits, each of the mandatory study periods can exceptionally correspond to at least 20 ECTS or equivalent.
Our guide on what Erasmus Mundus is explains the scholarship, and Erasmus+ vs regular study abroad compares the two routes.
Can you get ECTS credits for learning outside the classroom?
According to the ECTS Users' Guide 2015, credits may be awarded through assessment and recognition of learning outcomes when students and other learners have achieved them in other formal, non-formal, or informal learning contexts or timeframes. The guide sets conditions on which learning counts, how many credits follow and how the learning is assessed:
📋 Which learning: Higher education institutions should be competent to award credits for learning outcomes acquired outside the formal learning context through work experience, voluntary work, student participation, independent study, provided that these learning outcomes satisfy the requirements of their qualifications or components.
🔢 How many credits: The recognition of the learning outcomes gained through non-formal and informal learning should be automatically followed by the award of the same number of ECTS credits attached to the corresponding part of the formal programme.
📝 Assessment: As with formal education, the award of credits is preceded by an assessment to verify the achievement of learning outcomes.
The process of awarding credit to non-formal or informal learning has four main stages:
1️⃣ Initial advice and guidance: what does the process involve for the learner, the credit limits for non-formal/informal learning; what are the costs, roles and responsibilities of learner and tutor/advisor; and different learning pathways to a qualification.
2️⃣ Support: reflective process; understanding learning outcomes; identifying own learning outcomes; evidence gathering and selection.
3️⃣ Recognition/assessment: assessment of evidence of achievement of learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
4️⃣ Award of credit: credit awarded through this process is of same value as credit gained through formal learning.
Our guide on what non-formal education is explains the kind of learning behind these outcomes.
Do employers and universities accept Youthpass?
Yes: Youthpass and ECTS are recognised in practice by employers and universities. In the European Solidarity Corps, Youthpass describes your competences using the eight key competences, making it easier for employers, educational institutions and other individuals and organisations to recognise your competences at a glance. In the European Solidarity Corps, the non-formal and informal learning outcomes you gain in the solidarity activities must be identified and documented, in particular through EU level recognition tools such as Youthpass and Europass. Our guide on how to put Youthpass on your CV and LinkedIn shows how to use the certificate in applications.
Will your university recognise a study period abroad?
Yes: under the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education, after the mobility the institution must automatically and fully recognise the outcomes from the learning period abroad. The sending and receiving organisations, together with the students, must have agreed on the activities to be undertaken by the students in a 'learning agreement' prior to the start of the mobility period. The agreement defines the content for the mobility period abroad and specifies the formal recognition provisions of each party. In Erasmus+ student mobility, the student, the sending and the receiving organisation must sign a learning agreement. Our guide on Erasmus+ vs regular study abroad compares the study routes.
How does recognition work in Erasmus Mundus?
In an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, the degree(s) must be mutually recognised by all the awarding full partner higher education institutions. Consortia should provide students with a joint Diploma Supplement at the end of their studies, covering the entire content of the Master programme. Our guide on what Erasmus Mundus is explains the programme.
Which other documents record your learning?
🧳 Europass Mobility: a document to record knowledge and skills acquired in another European country.
🏛️ Diploma Supplement: a document accompanying a higher education diploma, with a standardised description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies completed by its holder.
✅ Certificate of participation: at the end of their volunteering experience, participants are entitled to receive a certificate of participation, issued in the European Solidarity Corps portal provided that the activity is finalised and that participants have submitted their participant report.
Our guide on how to prepare your Europass CV goes through the Europass CV, and what Youthpass is explains the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Do all ESC participants get a Youthpass?
Yes: every young person taking part in European Solidarity Corps activities is entitled to go through the Youthpass process and receive a Youthpass certificate at the end of the process. Our guide on what Youthpass is explains who gets one.
Is Europass Mobility the same as Youthpass?
No: Youthpass covers non-formal learning in youth programme projects, and Europass Mobility covers learning abroad. Our guide on how to prepare your Europass CV covers the Europass documents.
Can you use Youthpass on your CV?
Yes: you can use your Youthpass when writing your CV. Our guide on how to put Youthpass on your CV and LinkedIn goes through what the official pages say.
Where do you find a project that comes with a Youthpass?
Youthpass certificates are available for projects under Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps, for all project types except the general DiscoverEU action. Youth Works Hub has a Match page that finds projects suited to you: it asks 8 questions and shows the results as a swipeable deck of cards. Using Match requires creating an account on the site; signing up with Google is available but not required. Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where the offers are published.
Related pages: what Youthpass is · how to put Youthpass on your CV and LinkedIn · how to prepare your Europass CV · what Erasmus Mundus is · Erasmus+ vs regular study abroad · what non-formal education is
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
👉 Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=erasmus-projects
