National qualification framework

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NQF

The NQF defines levels of learning in terms of both academic and vocational qualifications. It is not exact but it indicates the relative values of different awards. The number of qualification levels is nine (entry level to level 8). All learners, education advisors, line managers and training providers should be familiar with the framework. It aims to:

promote access, motivation and achievement in education and training
promote lifelong learning by providing progression routes
avoid duplication and overlap of qualifications, while covering all learning needs
promote public and professional confidence in the integrity and relevance of national awards.

Scotland has its own credit and qualifications framework;Wales is introducing a Credit and Qualifications Framework; Northern Ireland has its own Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme.

Level	Vocational	Academic	Indicator
8	Diplomas	Doctorates	Leading experts or practitioners; learning involves the development of new, creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or practice
7	Vocational Certificates, NVQ5	Masters Degrees, Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas	Highly developed, complex knowledge that enables the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations
6	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas	Bachelor. s Degrees, Graduate Certificates/Diplomas	Specialist high-level knowledge to enable the use of an individual. s own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations
5	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas, NVQ 4	Diplomas of Higher Education/, Further Education, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas	Ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations; involves high levels of knowledge and work expertise, and competence in managing and training others
4	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas	Certificates of Higher Education	Specialist learning involving detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others
3	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas, NVQ 3	A-levels, AVCE	Ability to gain and apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding; involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills; appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or those supervising and training others
2	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas, NVQ 2	GCSE (Grades A*. C)	Ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform tasks with guidance or supervision; involves building knowledge and/or skills in work or subject area
1	Vocational Certificates/Diplomas, NVQ 1, Basic Skills	GCSE (Grades D. G)	Basic knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision; concerns activities relating to everyday situations; may be linked to job competence
Entry	Entry-level, Certificates Basic Skills		Basic knowledge and skills, and applying learning to everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision; not geared towards specific occupations