UK Qualification Comparison Chart*

Main Stages of education / employment Qualifications and Credit Credit and Qualification Framework for National Framework of Qualifications for The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework for education Framework/National Qualifications Ireland Framework qualifications in , Wales and Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland www.ofqual.gov.uk www.cqfw.net www.nfq.ie www.scqf.org.uk www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/fheq Level Level Level Level Level Doctoral Degree Professional Development Awards 8 Vocational Qualifications Level 8 8 Doctoral Degrees 10 12 8 Doctoral Degrees Professional or , Higher Doctoral Degrees research or employment Master’s Degrees SVQ Level 5 Master’s Degrees Integrated Master’s Degrees Professional Development Awards Integrated Master’s Degrees Fellowships Postgraduate Master’s Degree Postgraduate Diplomas Postgraduate Diplomas 7 NVQ Level 5 7 9 11 7 in Postgraduate Master’s Degrees Postgraduate Certificate in Education Vocational Qualifications Level 7 Education (PGCE) Integrated Master’s Degrees (PGCE) Postgraduate Certificates Postgraduate Certificates Postgraduate Certificates Advanced skills training Bachelor’s Degree with Honours Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours Bachelor’s Degrees Honours Bachelor Degree Professional Development Awards Bachelor’s Degrees 8 10 Professional in Higher Diploma Professional Graduate Certificate in 6 Vocational Qualifications Level 6 6 6 Education (PGCE) Graduate Certificates Education (PGCE) Graduate Diplomas Bachelor’s/Ordinary Degrees Graduate Diplomas Graduate Certificates Professional Development Awards Graduate Certificates Entry to professional graduate 9 SVQ Level 4 employment 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Graduate Diplomas NVQ Level 4 Foundation Degrees Graduate Certificates Foundation Degrees Higher National Diplomas (HND) Diplomas of Higher Education Higher National Diplomas (HND) Diplomas of Higher Education 5 5 5 Higher National Certificates (HNC) (DipHE) SVQ Level 4 (DipHE) Vocational Qualifications Level 5 Higher National Diplomas (HND) 8 Professional Development Awards Higher National Diplomas (HND) Specialised education and training Diplomas of Higher Education Advanced Certificate (DipHE) 6 Higher National Certificates (HNC) Higher Certificate Professional Development Awards Higher National Certificates (HNC) 4 Vocational Qualifications Level 4 4 Certificates of Higher Education Higher National Certificates (HNC) 4 Certificates of Higher Education Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) 7 (CertHE) (CertHE) SVQ Level 3 NVQ Level 3 Qualified/Skilled worker NVQ Level 3 Advanced Highers Vocational Qualifications Level 3 Entry to higher education Vocational Qualifications Level 3 Level 5 Certificate Highers 3 3 GCSE AS and A Level 5 Completion of secondary education GCSE AS and A Level Leaving Certificate SVQ Level 3 Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Advanced Diplomas 6 Professional Development Awards Advanced National Progression Awards National Certificates NVQ Level 2 Level 4 Certificate 4 Vocational Qualifications Level 2 NVQ Level 2 Leaving Certificate Intermediate 2 GCSEs at grade A* - C Vocational Qualifications Level 2 Credit Standard Grade Progression to skilled employment 2 ESOL skills for life 2 Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification 5 SVQ 2 Continuation of secondary education Higher Diplomas Intermediate National Progression Awards Functional Skills Level 2 (English, GCSEs grade A* - C National Certificates & ICT) NVQ Level 1 Level 3 Certificate 3 Intermediate 1 Vocational Qualifications Level 1 NVQ Level 1 Junior Certificate General Standard Grade GCSEs at grade D – G Vocational Qualifications Level 1 Scottish Vocational Qualifications 1 ESOL skills for life 1 GCSEs at grade D-G 4 (SVQ) 1 Foundation Diplomas Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification National Progression Awards Functional Skills Level 1 (English, Foundation National Certificates Secondary education initial entry into mathematics & ICT) employment or further education Access 3 Foundation Standard Grades 3

National Progression Awards

Entry Level Certificates (sub levels 1 2 Level 2 Certificate – 3) National Certificates Entry Level Certificate (sub levels 1 – ESOL skills for life Access 2 3)

Functional Skills Entry Level 2 National Progression Awards Entry Level Entry Entry Level Entry (English, mathematics & ICT) National Certificates Qualifications can be taken at any age in 1 Level 1 Certificate 1 Access 1 order to continue or return to training

* Adapted from a table produced by Ofqual, QAA, SCQF, CCEA, CQFW and The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.