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Draft:International Education Qualification Framework

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The International Education Qualification Framework (IEQF) is a structured model that maps global educational stages from early childhood to doctoral research while aligning them with linguistic development and credit hours. It aims to provide a unified, international reference that integrates academic progression, vocational training, and language proficiency.

This framework is particularly useful for educational institutions, credential evaluators, and employers to assess qualifications across borders and systems. It incorporates credit hour ranges and aligns language learning levels using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) from level A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Proficient).[1]

Structure of the Framework

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Level Stage Education Level Language Level Credit Hours
0 Early Childhood Education Pre-KG to UKG (Kindergarten) N/A N/A
1 Primary Education (Lower Primary) Classes 1 to 5 A1 (Beginner) 1,500 – 2,000 hrs
2 Primary Education (Upper Primary) Classes 6 to 8 A2 (Elementary) 1,800 – 2,500 hrs
3 Secondary Education & Foundational Skills Classes 9 and 10 or Skill Certificate B1 (Intermediate) 2,000 – 2,800 hrs
4 Higher Secondary Education Classes 11 and 12 or 2-Year Vocational Training B2 (Upper Intermediate) 2,400 – 3,000 hrs
5 Senior Secondary Education & Vocational Training Advanced vocational training or specialized skill certification C1 (Advanced) 2,800 – 3,200 hrs
6 Diploma & Advanced Skills Training 3-Year Diploma (after Class 10) or 1-Year Diploma (after Class 12) C2 (Proficient) 3,600 – 4,500 hrs
7 Undergraduate Education 3-Year Degree, 4-Year Honors Degree, 5-Year Dual Degree, or Postgraduate Diploma N/A 4,500 – 6,000 hrs
8 Postgraduate Education 2-Year Master’s Degree or 1-Year Executive Master’s (with 2+ years of work experience) N/A 1,800 – 2,400 hrs
9 Advanced Research & Professional Qualifications M.Phil., Specialized Certifications, or other professional qualifications N/A 1,500 – 2,500 hrs
10 Doctoral & Post-Doctoral Research Ph.D. or Post-Doctoral Fellowship N/A 3,000 – 5,000 hrs

The following structure aligns with the UNESCO ISCED framework and CEFR levels, as adapted by Oxhar Business School.[2][3]

Language Integration

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Language proficiency levels from A1 to C2, based on CEFR, are embedded in the early to mid-stages of education. For instance:

  • A1 is typically achieved during lower primary (Level 1).
  • C2, indicating full professional fluency, aligns with diploma-level training (Level 6).
  • Levels 7–10 involve domain-specific academic or research-based communication beyond CEFR.

Applications

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  • International student evaluation: Useful for academic admissions and credit transfer.
  • Workforce readiness: Matches educational levels with expected language competencies.
  • Credential equivalence: Bridges educational qualifications across systems like CBSE, IGCSE, IB, GED, or national diplomas.
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References

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  1. ^ "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages". Council of Europe. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  2. ^ "International Education Qualification Framework". Oxhar. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  3. ^ "International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)". UNESCO. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
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