Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) is used by many universities in the United Kingdom to monitor, record and reward passage through a modular degree course and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions. Typically a university course of 150 or 300 notional studies hours (contact time and allocation for self-study) would be worth between 15 and 30 credits, at one of Levels 4 to 7 on the National Qualifications Framework.

360 points need to be accumulated (usually 120 points at each of levels 4, 5 and 6) to qualify for award of an honours degree. A foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points (levels 4 and 5), and a 'pass/ordinary degree' to 300 points.

A postgraduate Master's degree is equivalent to 180 points at Level 7.

It is possible to equate CATS with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Two CATS points are equivalent to one ECTS point. Four CATS points are equivalent to one US credit.