In higher education, the duration of the programmes is not expressed in class hours or years any more, but in study points (SP).

Thus, the duration of a bachelor programme is at least 180 SP (3 academic years) and a master programme is at least 60 SP (1 academic year).

Students enrolled in higher education are entitled to child benefit if they are enrolled for at least 27 SP, which corresponds to a part-time study programme.

For the calculation of the number of SP, account is taken not only of lectures, but also of the time needed to process the subject matter, exam periods, home study, work placements, thesises, etc.

The number of SP is taken into account irrespective of:

• the distribution per trimester / semester
• enrolment in one or more programmes  
• enrolment in one or more higher education institutions

SP obtained from a foreign university or college are also eligible.

Ph D students are also required to be enrolled for at least 27 SP. Points for Ph D courses count; points for writing the dissertation do not.