The study plans are organised following a system of credits that applies the principles of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Each credit is equivalent to 25 hours of student requirement, inclusive of classes and private preparation. The workload of a full-time student during one academic year corresponds to 60 credits. To obtain the Academic second-level Diploma students must have acquired 120 credits. To acquire the necessary credits, students must not only pass the examinations for each course, but must also ensure sufficient attendance of lessons(minimum attendance requirements are specified in each study plan); credits are also awarded to laboratory activities. Credits are quantified for each student by the Course Council. If any debts are present in the student’s training they will need to be filled during his period of study at the Institute, the Course Council will indicate how these "debts" must be paid off.