The Levels referred to on this site can be found in the Qualification Frameworks. You can find out more information from one of the sites below.
(Note: each site will open in a separate browser window or tab)
There are currently three qualification frameworks.
The National Qualifications Framework and the Qualifications and Credit Framework cover all the Levels referred to in this site (Entry Level to Level 8)
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications applies to Levels 4 to 8 and applies to degrees, diplomas and other academic awards granted by higher education colleges or universities
Qualifications in the National Qualifications Framework are currently being transferred to the new Qualifications and Credit Framework.
The Qualifications and Credit Framework qualifications:
- are composed of smaller units of learning that enable studying to be incorporated more easily into daily life,
- come in three sizes - Award, Certificate and Diploma (do not confuse this diploma with the new Foundation, Higher and Advanced Diploma qualifications),
- are available for all qualification levels - Entry to Level 8,
- have units that attract credits. As each credit is equivalent to about 10 hours of work then if a unit is worth 5 credits this would represent 50 hours of work,
- have credit totals as follows: Award(1-12 credits), Certificate( 13-36 credits) and Diploma(37 credits or greater),
- allow you to build the same qualification from different combinations of units,
- allow you to transfer credit you have gained in one qualification to another qualification where the units are the same.