Ofqual - Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

Our processes for regulating awarding organisations have changed. If you are an awarding organisation find out how the changes affect you.
Information for:

Explaining the National Qualifications Framework

Monday, 29 March 2010 15:18

The NQF helps learners to make informed decisions about the qualifications they need. They can compare the levels of different qualifications and identify clear progression routes for their chosen career.

It comprises nine levels (Entry level to level 8). Learners' progression routes do not necessarily need to involve qualifications at every level. Each accredited qualification has an NQF level. If qualifications share the same level this means that they are broadly similar in terms of the demand they place on the learner. However, qualifications at the same level can still be very different in terms of content and duration.

The following table shows a selection of individual qualifications and how they appear in the current NQF. It also highlights how qualifications broadly compare to the Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) levels.

 

LevelNQF Qualifications

Examples

QCF Qualifications

Examples
Entry
  • Entry level certificates
  • Skills for Life at Entry level
Entry level VQs:
  • Entry level awards, certificates and diplomas
  • Foundation Learning Tier pathways
  • Functional Skills at Entry level
1
  • GCSEs graded D-G
  • NVQs at level 1
  • Key Skills level 1
  • Skills for Life
  • Foundation Diploma
Level 1 VQs:
  • BTEC awards, certificates and diplomas at level 1
  • Functional Skills level 1
  • OCR Nationals
  • Foundation Learning Tier pathways
2
  • GCSEs graded A*-C
  • NVQs at level 2
  • Level 2 VQs
  • Key Skills level 2
  • Skills for Life
  • Higher Diploma
Level 2 VQs:
  • BTEC awards, certificates and diplomas at level 2
  • Functional Skills level 2
3
  • AS/A levels
  • Advanced Extension Awards
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Key Skills level 3
  • NVQs at level 3
  • Cambridge International Awards
  • Advanced and Progression Diploma
Level 3 VQs:
  • BTEC awards, certificates and diplomas at level 3
  • BTEC Nationals
  • OCR Nationals
Framework for Higher Education

(Maintained by the Quality Assurance Agency)

Examples
4
  • NVQs at level 4
  • Key Skills level 4
  • Certificates of higher education
Original NQF Level 4* Level 4 VQs:
  • BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards
  • Certificates of higher education
5
  • Higher national diplomas
  • Other higher diplomas
  • NVQs at level 4*
Level 5 VQs:
  • HNCs and HNDs
  • BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards
  • Diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas
6
  • National Diploma in Professional Production Skills
  • NVQs at level 4*
Level 6 VQs:
    -
  • BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards
  • Bachelor degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas
7
  • Postgraduate certificates and diplomas
  • BTEC advanced professional awards, certificates and diplomas
  • Fellowships and fellowship diplomas
  • Diploma in Translation
  • NVQs at level 5*
Original NQF Level 5* Level 7 VQs:
  • Advanced professional awards, certificates and diplomas
  • Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas
8
  • NVQs at level 5*
Level 8 VQs:
  • Award, certificate and diploma in strategic direction
  • Doctorates

Learners can use the National Database of Accredited Qualifications to get up-to-date information on the current NQF level for all accredited qualifications. Both the current and previous levels are shown for qualifications in the higher levels of the NQF.

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 16:28 Tags: Ofqual, education, examination regulation, qualifications, assessments E-mailPDFPrint

Quick links

Useful links

Partners