National Qualifications Framework
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The NQF was originally developed with 5 levels and is the joint responsibility of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) and Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment for Northern Ireland (CCEA).
The Framework currently has 8 levels covering all levels of learning in secondary education, further education and higher education. Only when a course has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 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 .
Scotland has its own 12 level system, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), which is in use by all education establishments in Scotland and the Open University.
[edit] The Framework
The revised Framework of 8 levels:
| National Qualifications Framework |
Framework for Higher Education Qualification levels (FHEQ) |
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| Original levels | Revised levels | ||
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Level 5 NVQs Graduateship C&G |
Level 8 BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
D (doctoral) Doctorates |
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Level 7 BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
M (masters) Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas |
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Level 4 NVQs Licentiateship C&G |
Level 6 BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
H (honours) Bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas |
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Level 5 BTEC HNDs and HNCs BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
I (intermediate) Diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees, higher national diplomas |
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Level 4 BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
C (certificate) Certificates of higher education
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Level 3 BTEC National Diplomas, Certificates and Awards BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards A levels |
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Level 2 NVQs BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards GCSEs Grades A*-C |
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Level 1 NVQs BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards GCSEs Grades D-G |
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Entry Level BTEC Certificates in Life Skills BTEC Certificates in Skills for Working Life |
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[edit] Level indicators
The proposed level indicators are as follows:
| Framework level | Level indicators | Examples of qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 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. | Qualifications are offered at entry 1, entry 2 and entry 3, in a range of subjects |
| 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. | NVQ 1; Certificate in Plastering; GCSEs Grades D – G; Certificate in Motor Vehicle Studies |
| 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. | NVQ 2; GCSEs Grades A* - C; Certificate in Coaching Football; Diploma for Beauty Specialists |
| 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. | Certificate for Teaching Assistants; NVQ 3; A levels; Advanced Extension Awards; Certificate in Small Animal Care |
| 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. | Diploma in Sport & Recreation; Certificate in Site Management; Certificate in Early Years Practice |
| 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. | Diploma in Construction; Certificate in Performing Arts |
| 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. | Certificate or Diploma in Management |
| 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. | Diploma in Translation; Fellowship in Music Literacy |
| 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. | Specialist awards |
- Currently, qualification titles such as 'certificate' and 'diploma' are not indicators of the level of a qualification.
