Correspondences between UK and Irish frameworks with European Thinking of working or studying in the UK or Ireland? You may be qualifications frameworks interested in the answer to one or more of these questions. Qualifications can cross boundaries Within Europe, two overarching qualifications frameworks exist to n What do they call the qualification which compares most closely which the national qualifications frameworks of the UK and Ireland A guide to comparing qualifications with mine? relate: The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area n Will I get some recognition for the qualifications I have? in the UK and Ireland (FQ-EHEA) also known as the Bologna Framework. n What kind of job or course can I apply for with my current qualification? Table 1 shows the correspondence of levels established between Recruiting people with Irish qualifications in the UK or people with How to use this leaflet: national qualifications frameworks and the EQF: UK qualifications in Ireland? You may be interested in the answer European Qualifications Credit and Scottish The National Qualifications and Credit Qualifications Credit and Framework of to these questions. Framework Framework Framework for Qualifications Qualifications ● This leaflet provides information that allows you to look at the ways n How do I know what a qualification from another country means in terms (EQF) England/ Wales (CQFW) Framework for Ireland Northern (SCQF) (NFQ IE) of level? qualifications are organised in the UK and Ireland. Ireland (QCF) n Which national qualification should I compare this qualification to? ● It shows which qualifications in other countries are broadly 8 8 8 12 10 n Where can I find more detailed information about the content and comparable to your qualifications (or those that you are interested 7 7 7 11 9 level of qualifications? 6 6 6 10/9 8/7 in taking). 5 5/4 5/4 8/7 6 This leaflet helps you explore these questions. 4 3 3 6 5 ● On the left side of the principal table you will find the main stages Qualifications are different in different countries. However, there are some 3 2 2 5 4 clear stages people move through in education, training and work that are of education or employment - you can find where you are in 2 1 1 4 3 these stages. 1 E3 E3 3 2/1 common to most countries. Primary education is followed by secondary education and then initial entry into employment and/or further higher E2 E2 2 ● The next column shows the qualifications framework for education or training. E1 E1 1 your country. Table 2 shows the outcome of verifying the compatibility of higher The main table gives an indication of how you can compare qualifications education frameworks for Scotland (FQHEIS/SCQF), for England, across national boundaries. Examples of major qualifications at each level ● To the right of this you can see the nearest levels and similar kinds Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) and for the NFQ for the Republic are provided. For more detail of the current qualifications in each country, of qualifications that are used in the other countries. of Ireland (NFQ IE) with the FQ-EHEA as follows: you will need to consult the website given at the heading of each column. ● This makes it possible to draw broad comparisons, rather than Typical higher education FHEQ FQHEIS/ NFQ Corresponding Qualifications in each of these frameworks change from time to time and qualifications within each level level SCQF IE FQ-EHEA cycle you need to check the relevant websites for the latest versions (as well direct equivalences, between qualifications and their levels for level level as for earlier versions of the framework where these are available). Entry each country. Doctoral degrees Third cycle (end of 8 12 10 requirements for jobs and courses often vary within a country. This means cycle) qualifications you will need to check specific requirements with the employer or institution ● The back page indicates how UK and Irish qualifications Master’s degrees (including Second cycle (end for the job or course that you are interested in. Integrated Master’s) of cycle) qualifica- frameworks relate to qualifications frameworks in Europe. tions 7 11 9 Postgraduate diplomas Intermediate ● This leaflet is updated periodically. Check one of the websites for qualifications within the most up-to-date version. Postgraduate certificates the second cycle Bachelor’s degrees with hon- First cycle (end of ours/Honours Bachelor Degrees 10 8 cycle) qualifications QAA Scottish Credit and Qualifications CCEA Accreditation Irish Higher Diploma Southgate House, Southgate Street, Framework Partnership 29 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Bachelor’s degrees/ Gloucester GL1 1UB 39 St Vincent Place, Glasgow Dock, Belfast BT1 3BG 6 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Tel: +44 (0)1452 557000 G1 2ER Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 1200 Fax: +44 (0)1452 557070 [email protected] Email [email protected] Graduate diplomas 9 Intermediate Email: [email protected] www.ccea.org.uk Graduate certificates qualifications within www.qaa.ac.uk the first cycle Foundation Degrees (eg FdA, Short cycle (within FdSc) or Diplomas of Higher 5 8 6 linked to the first Education (DipHE) cycle) qualifications Office of the Qualifications and CQFW, Welsh Government Quality and Qualifications Ireland Higher National Diplomas (HND) Examinations Regulator Ty’r Afon, Bedwas Road, Bedwas, (QQI) Spring Place, Coventry Business Caerphilly CF83 8WT 26/27 Denzille lane Irish Higher Certificate Park, Herald Avenue, Coventry www.cqfw.net Dublin 2 CV5 6UB E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +353 (0)1 905 8100 Higher National Certificates Intermediate Tel: +44 (0)300 303 3344 gov.uk www.qqi.ie (HNC) qualifications within Fax: +44 (0)300 303 3348 4 7 Certificates of Higher Education the short cycle Email: [email protected] For more information on compatibility with these frameworks see: with these frameworks on compatibility information more For and www.enic-naric.net. http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/home_en.htm www.ofqual.gov.uk Fifth edition published 2014 (CertHE) Main stages of education/employment Framework for higher education Qualifications and Credit Framework/ Credit and Qualifications Framework National Framework of Qualifications Scottish Credit and Qualifications qualifications in England, Wales and National Qualifications Framework for for Wales for Ireland Framework Northern Ireland England and Northern Ireland www.cqfw.net www.qqi.ie www.scqf.org.uk Qualifications can be taken at any age in www.qaa.ac.uk www.ofqual.gov.uk order to continue or return to education www.ccea.org.uk or training LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL Doctoral Degrees, Doctoral Degree, Professional Apprenticeship, Doctoral Degrees 8 Vocational Qualifications Level 8 Doctoral Degrees 8 8 10 Higher Doctorate 12 Professional Development Award Professional or postgraduate education, (PDA), Award research or employment Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’s Degrees, Postgraduate Master’s Degrees, Postgraduate Master’s Degrees, Professional Master’s Degree, Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificate 7 Vocational Qualifications Level 7 Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificate Apprenticeship, SVQ 5, PDA, 7 7 9 Postgraduate Diploma 11 in Education (PGCE), Postgraduate in Education (PGCE), Postgraduate Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates Certificates Postgraduate Certificates, Award Higher education Advanced skills training Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours, Bachelor’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, Honours Bachelor Degree, Professional Apprenticeship, PDA, Professional Graduate Certificate in Professional Graduate Certificate in 8 Higher Diploma 10 Graduate Diplomas, Graduate 6 6 Vocational Qualifications Level 6 6 Education (PGCE), Education (PGCE), Certificates, Award Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates Graduate Certificates Entry to professional Bachelor’s/Ordinary Degrees, Technical graduate employment 9 Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ 4, Graduate 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Foundation Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Diplomas, Graduate Certificates, Award Diplomas of Higher Education Vocational Qualifications Level 5, Diplomas of Higher Education 5 5 5 Higher National Diploma (HND), (DipHE), Higher National Diplomas Higher National Diplomas (HND) (DipHE), Higher National Diplomas 8 Diplomas of Higher Education (HND) (HND) (DipHE), Technical Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ 4, Award Specialised education and training Higher National Certificates (HNC), Advanced Certificate, Higher National Certificates (HNC), 6 Higher National Certificate (HNC), Vocational Qualifications Level 4, Certificates of Higher Education Higher Certificate 4 Certificates of Higher Education 4 4 Modern Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ Higher National Certificates (HNC) (CertHE), Essential Skills Wales (CertHE) 7 3, Certificates of Higher Education (ESW), Wider Key Skills (WKS) (CertHE), Scottish Baccalaureate, Qualified/Skilled worker Advanced Higher, Award Entry to higher education ESW, WKS, Vocational Qualifications Level 3, Vocational Qualifications Level 3, Higher, Modern Apprenticeship, Completion of secondary education Level 5 Certificate, 3 Access to HE Diploma* 3 GCE AS and A Level, 3 GCE AS and A Level, Welsh 5 SVQ 3, PDA, National Progression Advanced Diplomas (England) Baccalaureate Qualification Leaving Certificate 6 Award (NPA), *The Access to HE Diploma is regulated by Advanced National Certificate, Award QAA but is not part of the