National Qualifications Framework
Encyclopedia
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a credit transfer system
developed for qualifications in England
, Wales
and Northern Ireland
.
The Framework has nine levels covering all levels of learning in secondary education
, further education
, vocational, and higher education
. Though academic higher education courses (such as academic degree
s) are not covered in the NQF, it is broadly aligned with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), allowing levels of achievement to be compared.
Only when a course has been accredited and become part of the NQF is it then eligible for state funding. As such, many courses which are popular internationally and offered by British based organisations, such as the IGCSE
, are not available to state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The NQF is the joint responsibility of England's Ofqual
(previously the QCA
), Wales's DCELLS and Northern Ireland's CCEA
.
Scotland
has its own education system and its own twelve level system, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
.
In general usage, qualifications are often compared to the best-known qualification at that level. For example, the Level 2 DiDA is often said to be equal to four GCSEs at grades A*–C.
While the NQF says what each qualification is officially worth, UCAS
, the university entrance system, has its own tariff
, which sometimes differs from the NQF. Furthermore, colleges and employers often have their own differing ideas as to what a qualification is worth.
Currently, qualification titles such as 'certificate' and 'diploma' are not indicators of the level of a qualification.
Equivalent European Qualifications Framework-EQF
http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/compare/uk-eni_en.htm#comparison
It is planned to replace the NQF with a new framework, the Qualifications and Credit Framework
, which will indicate the size of qualifications (measured in learning hours), as well as their level.
Credit (education)
A course credit is a unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course taken at a school or other educational institution.- United States :...
developed for qualifications in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
The Framework has nine levels covering all levels of learning in secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
, further education
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
, vocational, and higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. Though academic higher education courses (such as academic degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
s) are not covered in the NQF, it is broadly aligned with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), allowing levels of achievement to be compared.
Only when a course has been accredited and become part of the NQF is it then eligible for state funding. As such, many courses which are popular internationally and offered by British based organisations, such as the IGCSE
IGCSE
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is an internationally recognised qualification for school students, typically in the 14–16 age group. It is similar to the GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Standard Grade in Scotland or Junior Certificate in the Republic of...
, are not available to state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The NQF is the joint responsibility of England's Ofqual
Ofqual
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.-Role:...
(previously the QCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
), Wales's DCELLS and Northern Ireland's CCEA
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment is an examination board in Northern Ireland...
.
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
has its own education system and its own twelve level system, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland...
.
The framework
| NQF level | Level criteria | Example qualifications | Equivalent FHEQ level | Equivalent FHEQ qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | Level 8 qualifications recognise leading experts or practitioners in a particular field. Learning at this level involves the development of new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practice. |
|
D (Doctoral) |
Doctorate A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder... s |
| Level 7 | Level 7 qualifications recognise highly developed and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and managers. Level 7 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Master's degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas. |
National Vocational Qualification National Vocational Qualifications are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification .... |
M (Master's) |
Master's degree A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice... Postgraduate diploma A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma... Postgraduate certificate A postgraduate certificate generally is the credential awarded to an individual upon completion of a higher education postgraduate program designed to provide students with specialized knowledge that is less extensive than a postgraduate diploma or Master's degree... Postgraduate Certificate in Education The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a one-year course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for undergraduate degree holders that allows them to train to be a teacher.... |
| Level 6 | Level 6 qualifications recognise a specialist high level knowledge of an area of work or study to enable the use of an individual’s own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the achievement of a high level of professional knowledge and is appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions. Level 6 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Bachelor's degrees with honours, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas. |
NEBOSH NEBOSH is a UK-based independent examination board delivering vocational qualifications in health, safety & environmental practice and management.... National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety |
H (Honours) |
Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world... Graduate Diploma A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification, although some graduate diplomas involve the study of undergraduate level courses... |
| Level 5 | Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high levels of knowledge, a high level of work expertise in job roles and competence in managing and training others. Qualifications at this level are appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers. Level 5 qualifications are at a level equivalent to intermediate Higher Education qualifications such as Diplomas of Higher Education, Foundation and other degrees that do not typically provide access to postgraduate programmes. |
Higher National Diploma A Higher National Diploma is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course.... Higher National Certificate A Higher National Certificate is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel, and in Scotland, an HNC is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority... Trinity College London Trinity College London is an international examinations board based in London, England. TCL offers qualifications across a range of disciplines in the performing arts and arts education and English language learning and teaching... CertTESOL CertTESOL The Certificate in TESOL is an accredited professional qualification awarded in the teaching of "English for speakers of other languages" by Trinity College London. It is a commonly taken teaching qualification in the field of English language learning and teaching . Many people take this... CELTA The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults is a professional credential held by many teachers of English as a foreign language.-Overview:... National Vocational Qualification National Vocational Qualifications are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification .... |
I (Intermediate) |
Foundation degree The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification introduced by the government of the United Kingdom in September 2001, which is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland... Higher National Diploma A Higher National Diploma is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course.... Diploma of Higher Education A Diploma of Higher Education is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. It is awarded after two years to three years' full-time study at a university or other higher education institution... |
| Level 4 | Level 4 qualifications recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others. Level 4 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Certificates of Higher Education. |
|
C (Certificate) |
Certificate of Higher Education A Certificate of Higher Education is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. It is awarded after one year full-time study at a university or other higher education institution. A Cert.HE is an independent tertiary award, an award in its own right, and students can study for a... |
| Level 3 | Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work. |
GCE Advanced Level The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands... 14–19 Diploma The Diploma is a composite qualification in England launched in September 2008. Its development was announced in the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005... National Vocational Qualification National Vocational Qualifications are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification .... NEBOSH NEBOSH is a UK-based independent examination board delivering vocational qualifications in health, safety & environmental practice and management.... National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Access course The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a qualification which prepares students - usually mature students, although the minimum age to be able to study for an access diploma is actually nineteen - for study as an undergraduate at university... |
||
| Level 2 | Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles. |
DiDA In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Diploma in Digital Applications is an optional information and communication technology course, usually studied by Key Stage 4 or equivalent school students . DiDA was introduced in 2005 as a creation of the Edexcel examination board... DiDA In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Diploma in Digital Applications is an optional information and communication technology course, usually studied by Key Stage 4 or equivalent school students . DiDA was introduced in 2005 as a creation of the Edexcel examination board... DiDA In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Diploma in Digital Applications is an optional information and communication technology course, usually studied by Key Stage 4 or equivalent school students . DiDA was introduced in 2005 as a creation of the Edexcel examination board... DiDA In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Diploma in Digital Applications is an optional information and communication technology course, usually studied by Key Stage 4 or equivalent school students . DiDA was introduced in 2005 as a creation of the Edexcel examination board... |
||
| Level 1 | Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence. |
|
||
| Entry Level | Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations. |
Entry Level Certificate The Entry Level Certificate is a qualification offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It lies at Entry Level of the National Qualifications Framework, pitching it just below GCSE level.-The qualification:... |
In general usage, qualifications are often compared to the best-known qualification at that level. For example, the Level 2 DiDA is often said to be equal to four GCSEs at grades A*–C.
While the NQF says what each qualification is officially worth, UCAS
UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. UCAS is primarily funded by students who pay a fee when they apply and a capitation fee from universities for each student they accept..-Location:UCAS is based near...
, the university entrance system, has its own tariff
UCAS Tariff
The UCAS Points System is a means of differentiating students based upon grades from various post-GCSE qualifications. It is used as a means of giving students from the UK and Republic of Ireland places at UK universities.-Points system:...
, which sometimes differs from the NQF. Furthermore, colleges and employers often have their own differing ideas as to what a qualification is worth.
Currently, qualification titles such as 'certificate' and 'diploma' are not indicators of the level of a qualification.
Equivalent European Qualifications Framework-EQF
http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/compare/uk-eni_en.htm#comparison
History
The NQF was introduced to help employers compare the many hundreds of qualifications available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Originally, the framework only went up to Level 5, but in 2004 the old Level 4 was subdivided into Levels 4, 5 and 6 and the old Level 5 was subdivided into Level 7 and Level 8. This allowed the NQF to better align with its university equivalent, the FHEQ.It is planned to replace the NQF with a new framework, the Qualifications and Credit Framework
Qualifications and Credit Framework
The Qualifications and Credit Framework is the national credit transfer system for education qualification in England, Education in Northern Ireland and Wales. The QCF replaces the National Qualifications Framework which closed for accreditations at the end of 2010...
, which will indicate the size of qualifications (measured in learning hours), as well as their level.
See also
- ESOL
- Common European Framework of Reference for LanguagesCommon European Framework of Reference for LanguagesThe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, abbreviated as CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries...
(CEFR) - Leitch Review of SkillsLeitch ReviewThe Leitch Review of Skills was an independent review by Lord Sandy Leitch, the Chairman of the National Employment Panel, commissioned by the British Government in 2004, 'to identify the UK’s optimal skills mix for 2020 to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice, set out the...