Course Credit

FALL and SPRING full-time students are expected to select academic courses with an average load of 16-20 contact hours a week (approximately 4-5 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 26 contact hours a week must first receive approval from their home schools and AIT's Academic Director, András Recski.

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.

Course selection process

Course enrollment at AIT is a flexible, three steps process: (1) The first step is taken during the application process, by indicating the courses of interest on the application form. Applicants are encouraged to indicate interest in 12-30 AIT credits of coursework. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposed coursework with their academic advisors at their home schools before submitting the application. In the application form, applicants may also designate up to three courses that are required by their home school and AIT will try to schedule those courses in different time slots to avoid conflicts. (2) The second step is taken during orientation on the weekend before the semester begins. At orientation, each professor gives a presentation about their course, followed by a question-and-answer session. Some courses require an entrance exam in order to ensure that students are appropriately prepared to thrive in those courses. (3) The first two weeks of the semester are designated as a “shopping period”. During that period, students may attend more courses than they plan to take. In certain courses, the instructor may offer the students personalized feedback on their preparation for that course. At the end of the shopping period, students indicate their final course selection.

Course Dropping

  • Students can add or drop any courses within the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester.
  • After the second week of the semester students can drop or switch a course to audit only with the consent of their home institutions by filling the Course Dropping Form (available at the AIT Office).
  • The final deadline for dropping courses is the end of the second week after the mid-semester break.
  • After the final deadline students will receive ‘F’ for unfinished courses and no credit will be awarded.
  • Students can choose to switch a course to ‘Audit’ no later than the second week after the mid-semester break.  If a student chooses to audit a course they will not receive a grade or course credit.  Audited courses will not show up on your official transcript.
  • If a student is considering auditing a course or has any issues with their classes they should speak with AIT’s Academic Director, András Recski, either in person or via email (arecski [uhlztasp] ait-budapest [shzpokiz] com).

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.  If you miss three or more days of classes in a row due to illness, a note from a doctor is required (and should be presented to AIT staff upon your arrival back at school).  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.