Abstract
The article presents the assumptions and one of the preconditions of the reform of teaching connected with the introduction of a point system for awarding credits for courses: the basic requirement laid down for colleges and universities applying for participation in the European Union Socrates-Erasmus Programme is adherence to the instructions of the European Credit Transfer System. The authoress also discusses the advancement of the work of individual types of higher education institutions and specialisations on the introduction of a system of conversion points. The source of information are data gathered by the Tempus Office on the basis of a questionnaire sent out at the beginning of 1997 to all higher education institutions.