QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS

EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Comparing Levels of Different National Qualification Frameworks using EQF

Countries have developed national qualifications frameworks with different structures and a different number of levels suited to their national educational systems. For example a qualification in social work can be placed at level 5 in country X’s national qualifications framework and level 3 in country Y’s framework. The EQF-LLL can be used to compare the levels of the two different frameworks, provided the NQFs of both countries have been referenced to the EQF-LLL:

A British Bachelor Honours degree is placed at level 6 of the British national qualification framework, which has been referenced to level 6 of the EQF-LLL. An Irish Bachelor Honours degree is at level 8 of the Irish NQF, which has also been referenced to level 6 of the EQF-LLL. Therefore, if credential evaluators have to assess and compare these two qualifications, the use of the EQF-LLL can be useful in understanding their respective levels.

Return to Application of EQF and EHEA for evaluation of European qualifications

Example 2 - Qualifications Issued Under Previous Structures

How to place old qualifications (legacy awards) within a Qualification Framework? Credential evaluators should examine whether these qualifications are included in the national qualifications frameworks of the respective countries. If this is the case credential evaluators should take the level of the qualification as one of the important parameters in the final assessment. If the qualifications are not included, it should be established if other official documentation of the level of these qualifications exists and the assessment should be based on this documentation.

Return to Recommendation – Evaluation of qualifications issued under previous structures