Abstract from UK National Qualification Framework; accepted and recognised by

Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a former credit transfer system

developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was replaced in 2010
with the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
The Framework had nine levels covering all levels of learning in secondary
education, further education, vocational, and higher education. Though academic higher
education courses (such as academic degrees) are not covered in the NQF, it was broadly
aligned with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), allowing levels of
achievement to be compared.
Only when a course has been accredited and become part of the NQF was it then eligible for
state funding. As such, some courses which are popular internationally and offered by British
based organisations are not available to state schools in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
The NQF had the joint responsibility of England's QCA, Wales's DCELLS and Northern
Ireland's CCEA.
Scotland has its own education system and its own twelve level system, the Scottish Credit
and Qualifications Framework.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is split into nine levels:

NQF Equivalent
Level criteria Example qualifications Equivalent FHEQ qualifications
level FHEQ level

EMD Certificate in ESOL

Level 8 qualifications recognise leading International Level 8

experts or practitioners in a particular field
or profession. Learning at this level Level 8 Advanced Professional
involves the development of new and
Level creative approaches that extend or Diploma
D (Doctoral)
PhD,Doctoratesand Higher
8 redefine existing knowledge or
professional practice and will often Level 8 Advanced Professional Doctorates
contribute at least locally, although more
likely regionally or nationally to the area or Certificate
sector of the doctorate thesis.
Level 8 Advanced Professional

Award

Level 7 qualifications recognise highly

developed, advanced and complex levels EMD Certificate in ESOL
of knowledge which enable the Master's degree
development of in-depth and original International Level 7
responses to complicated and PGDip
Level unpredictable problems and situations. Level 7 Advanced Professional
7 Learning at this level involves the
M (Masters)
PGDE
demonstration of high level specialist Diploma
professional knowledge and is appropriate PGCert
for senior professionals and senior Level 7 Advanced Professional
managers. Level 7 qualifications are at a PGCE
level equivalent to Master's degrees, Certificate
 postgraduate certificates and
postgraduate diplomas. Level 7 Advanced Professional

Award

Cambridge ESOL Delta

EMD Certificate in ESOL

Level 6 qualifications recognise a
specialist high level knowledge of an area International Level 6
of work or study to enable the use of an
individuals own ideas and research in Level 6 Professional Diploma
response to complex problems and
situations. Learning at this level involves
Level 6 Professional Certificate
the achievement of a high level of Graduate Certificate
professional knowledge and is appropriate
Level 6 Professional Award
Level
for people working as knowledge-based
Graduate Diploma
professionals or in professional H (Honours)
6
management positions. Often, registered NEBOSH National Diploma in
professionals such
Professional Certificate in
as nurses,pharmacists, social Occupational Health and
Education
workers,teachers and doctors enter their
profession with a Level 6 qualification. Safety
Level 6 qualifications are at a level
equivalent to Bachelor's degrees with British Safety Council Diploma
honours,graduate certificates and
graduate diplomas. in Occupational Safety and

Health

EMD Certificate in ESOL

Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability

International Level 5
to increase the depth of knowledge and

understanding of an area of work or study
HND
to enable the formulation of solutions and
responses to complex problems and
situations. Learning at this level involves Level 5 Professional Diploma
the demonstration of high levels of Foundation degree
knowledge, a high level of work expertise Level 5 Professional Certificate
Level in job roles and competence in managing HND
5 and training others. Qualifications at this Level 5 Professional Award
I (Intermediate)
level are appropriate for people working DipHE
as higher grade technicians, professionals International Advanced
or managers. Level 5 qualifications are at DipFE
a level equivalent to intermediate Higher Diploma in Computer Studies
Education qualifications such as Diplomas
of Higher Education, Foundation and other (IADCS)NCC Education UK.
degrees that do not typically provide
access to postgraduate programmes. Full Technological Certificate

Pilot ATPL (H) with TRE/TRI

HNC

EMD Certificate in ESOL

International Level 4
Level 4 qualifications recognise specialist
learning and involve detailed analysis of a Level 4 Professional Diploma
high level of information and knowledge in Diploma
Level
an area of work or study. Learning at this
Level 4 Professional Certificate
4
level is appropriate for people working in
technical and professional jobs, and/or
C (Certificate)
Certificate of Higher
managing and developing others. Level 4
Level 4 Professional Award
Education
qualifications are at a level equivalent to
Certificates of Higher Education. International Diploma in

Computer Studies (IDCS) NCC

Education UK.

Pilot ATPL (H)

 EMD Certificate in ESOL

International Level 3

A Level

AS Level

Advanced Diploma

National Diploma

National Certificate

National Award
Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability
to gain, and where relevant apply a range
of knowledge, skills and understanding.
Level 3 Diploma
Learning at this level involves obtaining
Level
detailed knowledge and skills. It is Level 3 Certificate
3
appropriate for people wishing to go to
university, people working independently, Level 3 Award
or in some areas supervising and training
others in their field of work. Level 3 International Certificate

in Computer Studies(ICCS)

NCC Education UK.

Level 3 NVQ

NEBOSH National General

Certificate in Occupational

Health and Safety.

Access to Higher Education

Diploma

EMD Certificate in ESOL

International Level 2

GCSE at grades A*C

Higher Diploma

First Diploma
Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability
to gain a good knowledge and First Certificate
understanding of a subject area of work or
Level
study, and to perform varied tasks with Level 2 Diploma
some guidance or supervision. Learning at
2
this level involves building knowledge
Level 2 Certificate
and/or skills in relation to an area of work
or a subject area and is appropriate for
many job roles.
Level 2 Award

Level 2 DiDA

Level 2 CIDA+

Level 2 CiDA

Level 2 AiDA

Level 2 NVQ

Level 1 qualifications recognise basic

Level knowledge and skills and the ability to
1 apply learning with guidance or EMD Certificate in ESOL
supervision. Learning at this level is about
 activities which mostly relate to everyday
situations and may be linked to job International Level 1
competence.
GCSE at grades DG

Foundation Diploma

Introductory Diploma

Introductory Certificate

Level 2 Diploma

Level 2 Certificate

Level 2 Award

Level 1 DiDA

Level 1 CIDA+

Level 1 CiDA

Level 1 AiDA

Level 1 NVQ.

Entry-Level qualifications recognise basic

knowledge and skills and the ability to Entry Level Certificate
apply learning in everyday situations
Entry
Level
under direct guidance or supervision.
Foundation Diploma
Learning at this level involves building
basic knowledge and skills and is not
geared towards specific occupations.
BTEC Level 1 Certificate

In general usage, qualifications are often compared to the best-known qualification at that
level. For example, the Level 2 DiDA is often said to be equal to four GCSEs at grades A*
C.
While the NQF says what each qualification is officially worth, UCAS, the university entrance
system, has its own tariff, which sometimes differs from the NQF. Furthermore, colleges and
employers often have their own differing ideas as to what a qualification is worth.
Currently, qualification titles such as 'certificate' and 'diploma' are not indicators of the level
of a qualification.