Qualifications can cross boundaries - Scottish Qualifications Authority

Main stages of education/employmentThe Scottish Credit and QualificationsFrameworkwww.scqf.org.ukQualifications and Credit Framework/National Qualifications Framework forEngland and Northern Irelandwww.ofqual.go v.ukwww.ccea.org.ukCredit and Qualifications Frameworkfor Waleswww.cqfw.netNational Framework of Qualificationsfor Irelandwww.nfq.ieFramework for higher educationqualifications in England, Wales andNorthern Irelandwww.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandquality/qualificationsLEVELLEVELLEVELLEVELLEVELProfessional or postgraduate education,research or employmentHigher educationAdvanced skills trainingEntry to professional graduate employmentSpecialised education and trainingQualified/Skilled workerEntry to higher educationCompletion of secondary educationProgression to skilled employment.Continuation of secondary education.Secondary education. Initial entry intoemployment or further educationQualifications can be taken at any age in orderto continue or return to education or training121110987654321Professional Development Awards,Doctoral DegreesSVQ Level 5,Professional Development Awards,Postgraduate Diplomas,Master’s Degrees, Integrated Master’sDegrees, Postgraduate CertificatesBachelor’s Degrees with Honours,Professional Development Awards,Graduate Diplomas,Graduate CertificatesBachelor’s/Ordinary Degrees, ProfessionalDevelopment Awards, SVQ Level 4,Graduate Diplomas,Graduate CertificatesHigher National Diplomas, SVQ Level 4,Professional Development Awards,Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE)Professional Development Awards,Higher National Certificates,Certificates of Higher Education(CertHE), SVQ Level 3, ScottishBaccalaureate, Advanced HighersHighers, SVQ Level 3,Professional Development Awards,National Progression Awards,National CertificatesIntermediate 2,Credit Standard Grade, SVQ Level 2,National Progression Awards,National CertificatesIntermediate 1,General Standard Grade, SVQ Level 1,National Progression Awards,National CertificatesAccess 3, Foundation Standard Grades,National Progression Awards,National CertificatesAccess 2,National Progression Awards,National CertificatesAccess 18 Vocational Qualifications Level 876 Vocational Qualifications Level 654321Entry LevelFellowships,NVQ Level 5,Vocational Qualifications Level 7NVQ Level 4,Higher National Diplomas (HND),Vocational Qualifications Level 5Vocational Qualifications Level 4,Higher National Certificates (HNC)NVQ Level 3,Vocational Qualifications Level 3,GCE AS and A Level,Advanced Diplomas (England)NVQ Level 2, Vocational QualificationsLevel 2, GCSEs at grade A*–C, ESOLskills for life, Higher Diplomas (England),functional skills Level 2 (England) (English,mathematics & ICT), Essential SkillsQualifications (NI)NVQ Level 1, Vocational QualificationsLevel 1, GCSEs at grade D–G, ESOLskills for life, Foundation Diplomas(England), functional skills Level 1(England) (English, mathematics & ICT),Essential Skills Qualifications (NI)Entry Level Certificates (sub levels1–3), ESOL skills for life, functionalskills Entry Level (England) (English,mathematics & ICT), Essential SkillsQualifications (NI)8 Doctoral Degrees7654321Entry LevelMaster’s Degrees,Integrated Master’s Degrees,Postgraduate Diplomas,Postgraduate Certificate in Education(PGCE), Postgraduate CertificatesBachelor’s Degrees with Honours,Bachelor’s Degrees,Professional Graduate Certificate inEducation (PGCE),Graduate Diplomas,Graduate CertificatesFoundation Degrees,Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE),Higher National Diplomas (HND)Higher National Certificates (HNC),Certificates of Higher Education(CertHE), NVQ level 4, Essential SkillsWales (ESW), Wider Key Skills (WKS),Higher Apprenticeship FrameworkNVQ Level 3, ESW, WKS,Vocational Qualifications Level 3,GCE AS and A Level, WelshBaccalaureate Qualification Advanced,Apprenticeships FrameworkNVQ Level 2, Vocational QualificationsLevel 2, Welsh BaccalaureateQualification Intermediate, GCSEsgrade A*–C, ESW, WKS, FoundationApprenticeship FrameworkNVQ Level 1, ESW, WKS,Vocational Qualifications Level 1,GCSEs at grade D–G,Welsh Baccalaureate QualificationFoundationEntry Level Qualifications, ESW1098Doctoral Degree,Higher DoctorateMaster’s Degree,Post-graduate DiplomaHonours Bachelor Degree,Higher Diploma7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree6543Advanced Certificate,Higher CertificateLevel 5 Certificate,Leaving CertificateLevel 4 Certificate,Leaving CertificateLevel 3 Certificate,Junior Certificate2 Level 2 Certificate1 Level 1 Certificate87654Doctoral DegreesMaster’s Degrees,Integrated Master’s Degrees,Postgraduate Diplomas,Postgraduate Certificate in Education(PGCE), Postgraduate CertificatesBachelor’s Degrees with Honours,Bachelor’s Degrees,Professional Graduate Certificate inEducation (PGCE),Graduate Diplomas,Graduate CertificatesFoundation Degrees,Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE),Higher National Diplomas (HND)Higher National Certificates (HNC),Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE)The table gives an indication of how youcan compare qualifications across nationalboundaries. Examples of major qualificationsat each level are provided. For more detail ofthe qualifications in another country, you willneed to consult the website given at the headof each column.This leaflet is designed to give someinformation to help you begin this process, forexample, by telling you what your qualification,or qualifications you are interested in studying,are broadly comparable to in other countries.Qualifications can cross boundries- a rough guide to comparing qualifications inthe UK and Ireland, July 2011