Qualifications and Credit Framework
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new system of recognising and comparing different skills and qualifications in the UK education sector. The QCF replaces the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) which closed for accreditations at the end of 2010.
Every unit and qualification in the new framework has a credit value (where one credit represents 10 hours of learning time). There are three different sizes of qualification:
- awards (1 to 12 credits)
- certificates (13 to 36 credits)
- diplomas (37 credits or more).
In addition, each qualification has a level of difficulty from Entry level at the bottom to Level 8 at the top.
The title of every qualification within the new framework contains details of the size (award/certificate/diploma), level of difficulty (Entry to Level 8) and general content of the qualification.
The QCF is a national framework that is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The EQF is a meta framework intended as a reference so that qualifications in nation frameworks such as the QCF are understood across member states.
See also
- Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
- Qualifications and Curriculum Authority