Guide to course levels

How different qualifications compare

You may hear people talking about qualification 'levels'. These levels are contained in three qualification 'frameworks':

• National Qualifications Framework
• Qualifications and Credit Framework (the new framework for vocational, or work-related qualifications)
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

The frameworks group together qualifications that place similar demands on you as a learner. However, within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects, and take different amounts of time to complete.

The frameworks can also help you see how one type of qualification can lead on to other, higher levels of qualifications.

National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) sets out the level at which a qualification can be recognised in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Only qualifications that have been accredited by the three regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland can be included in the NQF. This ensures that all qualifications within the framework are of high quality, and meet the needs of learners and employers.

• Find out more about the National Qualifications Framework

Qualifications and Credit Framework

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new framework. It contains new vocational (or work-related) qualifications, available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

These qualifications are made up of units that are worth credits. You can study units at your own pace and build these up to full qualifications of different sizes over time.

Units and qualifications also range in difficulty, from entry level to level 8 (similar to the levels in the NQF).

There are already lots of these new vocational qualifications available. More will be added to the QCF between now and December 2010. To find out more about them, see ‘Vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)’.

• Vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

• Find out more about the Qualifications and Credit Framework

Qualifications by level across the NQF and QCF

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) has been designed by the higher education sector, and describes all the main higher education qualifications. It applies to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards granted by a university or higher education college (apart from honorary degrees and higher doctorates).

The FHEQ broadly corresponds with levels 4 to 8 of the National Qualifications Framework, in terms of the demands the qualifications place on learners.