Correspondences between UK and Irish frameworks with Thinking of working or studying in the UK or Ireland? You may be European qualifications frameworks interested in the answer to one or more of these questions. Within Europe, two overarching qualifications frameworks exist to which n What do they call the qualification which compares most closely with mine? the national qualifications frameworks of the UK and Ireland relate: n Will I get some recognition for the qualifications I have? The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Framework for Qualifications of the European Area (FQ-EHEA) also known n What kind of job or course can I apply for with my current qualification? as the Bologna Framework. Recruiting people with Irish qualifications in the UK or people with Table 1 shows the correspondence of levels established between national UK qualifications in Ireland? You may be interested in the answer qualifications frameworks and the EQF: to these questions. European Qualifications Credit and Scottish The National Qualifications and Credit Qualifications Credit and Framework of n How do I know what a qualification from another country means in terms Qualifications can cross boundaries Framework Framework Framework for Qualifications Qualifications of level? (EQF) / (CQFW) Framework for Ireland (SCQF) (NFQ IE) n Which national qualification should I compare this qualification to? A rough guide to comparing qualifications (QCF) n Where can I find more detailed information about the content and 8 8 8 12 10 level of qualifications? in the UK and Ireland 7 7 7 11 9 6 6 6 10/9 8/7 This leaflet helps you explore these questions. 5 5/4 5/4 8/7 6 How to use this leaflet: 4 3 3 6 5 Qualifications are different in different countries. However there are some clear stages 3 2 2 5 4 people move through in education, training and work that are common to most 2 1 1 4 3 countries. Primary education is followed by secondary education and then initial entry • This leaflet provides information that allows you to look at the ways 1 E3 E3 3 2/1 into employment and/or further and higher education or training. qualifications are organised in the UK and Ireland. E2 E2 2 The main table gives an indication of how you can compare qualifications across E1 E1 1 national boundaries. Examples of major qualifications at each level are provided. • It shows which qualifications in other countries are broadly comparable Table 2 shows the outcome of verifying the compatibility of higher education For more detail of the qualifications in another country, you will need to consult the to your qualifications (or those that you are interested in taking). frameworks for Scotland (FQHEIS/SCQF), for England, Wales and Northern website given at the head of each column. All these frameworks of qualifications Ireland (FHEQ) and for the NFQ for the (NFQ IE) with the change from time to time and you need to check these websites for the latest • On the left side of the principal table you will find the main stages of FQ-EHEA as follows: versions. Entry requirements for jobs and courses often vary within a country. This means you will need to check specific requirements with the employer or institution education or employment - you can find where you are in these stages. Typical higher education FHEQ FQHEIS/ NFQ Corresponding for the job or course that you are interested in. qualifications within each level level SCQF IE FQ-EHEA cycle • The next column shows the qualifications framework for your country. level level Doctoral degrees Third cycle (end of • To the right of this you can see the nearest levels and similar kinds 8 12 10 cycle) qualifications of qualifications that are used in the other countries. Master’s degrees (including Second cycle (end of Integrated Master’s) cycle) qualifications • This makes it possible to draw broad comparisons, rather than Postgraduate 7 11 9 Intermediate direct equivalences, between qualifications and their levels for qualifications within Postgraduate certificates the second cycle each country. Bachelor’s degrees with honours/ First cycle (end of cycle) Honours Bachelor Degrees 10 8 qualifications QAA Scottish Credit and Qualifications CCEA Accreditation • The back page indicates how UK and Irish qualifications frameworks relate Irish Higher Southgate House, Southgate Street, Framework Partnership 29 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, to qualifications frameworks in Europe. Gloucester GL1 1UB 39 St Vincent Place, Glasgow Belfast BT1 3BG Bachelor’s degrees/ 6 7 Tel: +44 (0)1452 557000 G1 2ER Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 1200 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Fax: +44 (0)1452 557070 [email protected] Email [email protected] • This leaflet is updated periodically. Check one of the websites for the most Graduate diplomas 9 Intermediate Email: [email protected] www.ccea.org.uk www.qaa.ac.uk up-to-date version. Graduate certificates qualifications within the first cycle Foundation Degrees (eg FdA, FdSc) Short cycle (within or Diplomas of Higher linked to the first cycle) Education (DipHE) 5 8 6 qualifications Office of the Qualifications and CQFW, Welsh Government Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Higher National Diplomas (HND) Examinations Regulator Ty’r Afon, Bedwas Road, Bedwas, 26/27 Denzille lane Spring Place, Coventry Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 8WT Dublin 2 Irish Higher Certificate Herald Avenue, Coventry www.cqfw.net Tel: +353 (0)1 905 8100 Higher National Certificates (HNC) Intermediate CV5 6UB E-mail: [email protected] www.qqi.ie qualifications within Tel: +44 (0)300 303 3344 Certificates of Higher Education 4 7 Fax: +44 (0)300 303 3348 (CertHE) the short cycle Email: [email protected] For more information on compatibility with these frameworks see: www.ofqual.gov.uk Fourth edition published 2013 http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/home_en.htm and www.enic-naric.net. Main stages of education/employment National Framework of Qualifications The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Qualifications and Credit Framework/ Credit and Qualifications Framework Framework for higher education for Ireland Framework National Qualifications Framework for for Wales qualifications in England, Wales and www.qqi.ie www.scqf.org.uk England and Northern Ireland www.cqfw.net Northern Ireland www.ofqual.gov.uk www.qaa.ac.uk/ Qualifications can be taken at any age in order www.ccea.org.uk to continue or return to education or training assuringstandardsandquality/qualifications LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL

Doctoral Degree, Professional Development Awards, 10 12 8 Vocational Qualifications Level 8 8 Doctoral Degrees 8 Doctoral Degrees Higher Doctoral Degrees Professional or , research or employment SVQ Level 5, Master’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Professional Development Awards, Integrated Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’s Degrees, Master’s Degree, 9 11 Postgraduate Diplomas, 7 Vocational Qualifications Level 7 7 Postgraduate Diplomas, 7 Postgraduate Diplomas, Post- Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’s in Education Postgraduate Certificate in Education Degrees, Postgraduate Certificates (PGCE), Postgraduate Certificates (PGCE), Postgraduate Certificates Higher education Advanced skills training Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Honours Bachelor Degree, Professional Development Awards, Bachelor’s Degrees, 8 10 Bachelor’s Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Professional in 6 Vocational Qualifications Level 6 6 Professional Graduate Certificate in 6 Education (PGCE), Graduate Certificates Education (PGCE), Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates Entry to professional graduate employment Bachelor’s/Ordinary Degrees, Professional Graduate Certificates 9 Development Awards, SVQ Level 4, 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Graduate Diplomas,Graduate Certificates Foundation Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Vocational Qualifications Level 5, Higher National Diplomas, SVQ Level 4, 5 5 Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE), 5 Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE), Higher National Diplomas (HND) 8 Professional Development Awards, Higher National Diplomas (HND) Higher National Diplomas (HND) Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) Specialised education and training Advanced Certificate, 6 Professional Development Awards, Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher Certificate Vocational Qualifications Level 4, Certificates of Higher Education Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher National Certificates, 4 4 4 7 Certificates of Higher Education Higher National Certificates (HNC) (CertHE), Essential Skills Wales (ESW), Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) (CertHE), SVQ Level 3, Scottish Wider Key Skills (WKS) Qualified/Skilled worker Baccalaureate, Advanced Highers Entry to higher education Highers, SVQ Level 3, Vocational Qualifications Level 3, ESW, WKS, Completion of secondary education Level 5 Certificate, Vocational Qualifications Level 3, 5 Professional Development Awards, 3 GCE AS and A Level, 3 3 Access to HE Diploma* Leaving Certificate 6 National Progression Awards, Advanced Diplomas (England) GCE AS and A Level, Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Advanced National Certificates *The Access to HE Diploma is regulated by Vocational Qualifications Level 2, GCSEs QAA but is not part of the FHEQ Progression to skilled employment. Intermediate 2, Vocational Qualifications Level 2, Level 4 Certificate, at grade A*–C, ESOL skills for life, Higher 4 Credit Standard Grade, SVQ Level 2, Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Continuation of secondary education. Leaving Certificate 5 2 Diplomas (England), functional skills Level 2 National Progression Awards, 2 (England) (English, mathematics & ICT), Intermediate, GCSEs grade A*–C, The table gives an indication of how you National Certificates Essential Skills Qualifications (NI) ESW, WKS can compare qualifications across national boundaries. Examples of major qualifications Secondary education. Initial entry into at each level are provided. For more detail employment or further education Vocational Qualifications Level 1, ESW, WKS, Level 3 Certificate, Intermediate 1, of the qualifications in another country, you GCSEs at grade D–G, ESOL skills for Vocational Qualifications Level 1, 3 Junior Certificate General Standard Grade, SVQ Level 1, 4 1 life, Foundation Diplomas (England), 1 GCSEs at grade D–G, will need to consult the website given at the National Progression Awards, functional skills Level 1 (England) Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification head of each column. National Certificates (English, mathematics & ICT), Essential Foundation Skills Qualifications (NI) This leaflet is designed to give some Qualifications can cross boundries information to help you begin this Access 3, Foundation Standard Grades, - a rough guide to comparing qualifications in process, for example, by telling you what the UK and Ireland, July 2013 3 National Progression Awards, Entry Level Certificates (sub levels 2 Level 2 Certificate National Certificates your qualification, or qualifications you 1–3), ESOL skills for life, functional are interested in studying, are broadly Access 2, Entry Level Qualifications, ESW skills Entry Level (England) (English, comparable to in other countries. 2 National Progression Awards, mathematics & ICT), Essential Skills Entry Level National Certificates Entry Level 1 Level 1 Certificate Qualifications (NI) 1 Access 1