Course Credit

FALL and SPRING full-time students are expected to select academic courses with an average load of 16 contact hours a week (approximately 4 classes).  Academic courses will meet twice a week, for two hours per occasion. Therefore, each 14-week courses typically correspond to 4 credits at most North American colleges and universities. There are no additional fees for taking on a heavier load, but those wishing to take more than 24 contact hours a week must first receive approval from their home schools and AIT's Academic Director.

Full-time student status at AIT requires 12 credits.

Accreditation

Starting with the Spring 2025 semester, official transcripts for AIT-Budapest students will be issued by Pomona College, an institution in the United States, under a new School of Record agreement. This change ensures easier credit transfer to U.S. institutions by aligning transcript formats with U.S. standards, including letter grades (with plus/minus distinctions) and a 1:1 credit conversion with U.S. semester credits.

AIT remains affiliated with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Students who attended AIT before Spring 2025 may request additional copies of their official transcript at any time; these will continue to be issued in the BME format.

If you want to learn more, please click here.

Grades and Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the semester. Particular forms of assessment for each course can be found in their respective syllabus. Any questions regarding the progress of your grade during the semester can be directed towards your professor.

Grades will be given by the professors in the standard American grading scale: A, B, C, D, F (including +/-). Students at AIT are allowed to take courses for Audit, but are not allowed to take courses for a Pass/Fail grade.

Starting with the Spring 2025 semester, official transcripts for AIT-Budapest students will be issued by Pomona College, an institution in the United States, under a new School of Record agreement. All transcripts will include letter grades (with plus/minus distinctions) and reflect a 1:1 credit conversion to U.S. semester credits.

AIT Course Selection Process / Add-Drop Policy

1. During the Application Process

Applicants are asked to list the courses they are interested in taking.

  • Minimum credit requirement: 12 credits
  • Typical course load: 16 credits

Students can theoretically take an unlimited number of credits later on at AIT. There is no official maximum, but taking more than 24 credits requires prior approval.

However, in the application form we limit the selectable number of credits to 16. This helps us create the most suitable schedule for the given semester.

Before submitting their application, students are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposed coursework with their academic advisors at their home institutions.

In the application form, students may designate up to three courses that are required by their home school. AIT will make every effort to schedule these required courses in non-overlapping time slots to avoid conflicts.

2. Orientation Weekend (Before the Semester Begins)

The second step in course selection takes place during the orientation weekend, immediately before the semester starts.

During orientation:

  • Each course is presented by the faculty member, including prerequisites, learning outcomes, and other relevant details.
  • A Q&A session follows each presentation.
  • Some courses require entrance exams to ensure students are adequately prepared.

At the end of orientation, students must submit their final course selection, indicating at least 12 and up to 16 credits.

  • Students may change the course preferences they originally listed in their application.
  • Courses with fewer than 5 enrolled students will be cancelled by default, unless exceptional circumstances require them to run.

3. Add/Drop Period (First Week of the Semester)

During the first week of the semester students can add unlimited courses to their selection and there is a possibility to drop courses. At the end of the first week students should finalize their course selection.

Students have the possibility to audit courses as well. If a student audit a course they will not receive a grade or course credit, but it will show up on their official transcript.

4. Mid-Semester Course Drop (End of Week 8)

Students have a final opportunity to drop a course at the end of Week 8, but only with the approval of their home school.

After the Week 8 deadline, students are no longer permitted to drop a course. If a student stops attending or completing coursework after this date without formally withdrawing, an “F” grade will be assigned for the course.

Withdrawals and Refunds

  • If a student withdraws from the entire program within the first month of the semester, he/she will receive a 75% tuition refund.
  • If a student withdraws from the entire program after the first month of the semester, he/she will not receive any type of tuition refund.
  • If a student withdraws due to serious medical reasons before the mid-term break, and health conditions are certified by a doctor, they will receive a 50% tuition refund. 

Attendance

AIT offers a rigorous academic program with the expectation of a high level of student participation.  Class sizes are small to allow for discussion and group work, which increases the importance of attending all classes. If you cannot attend class due to illness or other personal reasons you should email your professor and one of the staff members at AIT to let them know.  Attendance dropping below 80% will severely affect your class grade.

It is expected that students arrive to class on time.  Late arrival causes a disruption to everyone. Computer use should be kept to class related business only.

Course Evaluations

At the end of every semester students are asked to fill out a course evaluation form that addresses all aspects of a given course.  Candid feedback on evaluations allows AIT to improve the quality of lectures and the overall academic environment.