How ECTS Work, and Recognizing Credits You've Already Earned
Modules and ECTS, briefly
A module is a complete learning unit: two courses that build on each other, one exam tying them together, 15 ECTS, sometimes spanning two semesters.
1 ECTS ≈ 30 hours of workload (classes, reading, assignments, exam prep) — so 15 ECTS ≈ 450 hours.
Note: within a 15-ECTS module, credits aren't split evenly 7.5/7.5 between the two courses — the exam itself carries ECTS too. Exact breakdown: see study and examination regulations.
How Recognition Works
1. Talk to us first — before enrolling. Email isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de with what you want to take (course, module, or both), why it matters to your studies, and where you think it fits. We'll tell you upfront what's realistic.
2. Then:
- Register via this form, sent to the Studienbüro
- Complete the course or module
- Get documentation from that department, either directly in campus management or via a module/participation/examination certificate
- Send it to us with where you'd like it counted (be specific about the area of studies, module, module part etc)
- We recommend it to the examination committee
- You hear back in 4–6 weeks
Timeline: we process recognitions in February (winter term) and July (summer term).
Studied elsewhere (abroad or another university)? Same process — bring module certificates or official transcripts instead of FU forms.
Can I Move Credits Between ISME Modules?
No. You can't shift courses between ISME modules — e.g. from Histories into Interdisciplinary Perspectives — because each ISME module is designed as its own package, with its own built-in options and flexibility.
Also: courses that already belong to an ISME module can't count as complementary-area electives. The complementary area exists specifically for qualifications beyond ISME — from other master's programs, or through language learning.
Questions or an unusual situation?
Every path looks a little different. Email isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de and we'll work it out with you.
Generally no. We don't transfer courses between ISME modules (like moving something from Histories to Interdisciplinary Perspectives) because each module is already designed as a flexible package with lots of course options built in.
If courses are available as part of multiple ISME modules and you chose them in the "wrong" module, you can change the registration via the Studienbüro.
Yes, but know what you're getting into:
The transcript reality: Only courses from History & Cultural Studies show by name on your transcript. That philosophy seminar you loved? It'll appear as "recognized credits" without the course title.
The bureaucratic reality: Single courses are harder to recognize. They need to closely match an ISME module part's content, learning goals, AND workload (which isn't automatically 7.5 ECTS—check the regulations!).
Our take: If it means that much to you, go for it! Just expect more paperwork and a longer process.
YES—you should always check with the relevant instructors first.
YES—if want achievements from these course to be counted towards ISME always email us first at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de before you enroll! Tell us:
- What you want to take
- Why it fits your studies
- Where you imagine it counting in ISME
We'll explore what's possible and be honest about how it'll work.
If you are purely auditing the courses or modules, still check with the instructors, but you don't need to check with ISME then.
- Email us first (see above)
- Register using this form—without it, you can't take the exam or get ECTS
- Complete the course/module
- Get documentation from that department (History & Cultural Studies forms here—each department has their own)
- Send everything to us with a note about where it should count
- We recommend to the examination committee
- You hear back in 4-6 weeks
1 ECTS = about 30 hours of work (classes, readings, assignments, exam prep—everything). So 15 ECTS = roughly 450 hours total.
Important: The credits aren't just split evenly between the two courses. The exam itself carries ECTS too! Check the study and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung) to see how it breaks down.
Probably! Every student's path is different. Email isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de and let's figure out what works for you.
Same process, different paperwork! Bring module certificates or official transcripts from that university instead of FU forms. Then email us at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de and we'll walk you through it.
You have three options—and you can mix them!
- Research Perspectives (our 15 ECTS module)
- Internships (5, 10, or 15 ECTS)
- Modules from other programs (up to 15 ECTS from anywhere at FU—German-language modules welcome!)
Combine options 2 and 3 if you want both internship experience and courses from other departments.
