Referencing the Qualifications Frameworks of England and Northern Ireland to the European Qualifications Framework

The EQF is a common reference framework, the purpose of which is to help people understand qualifications across different countries and systems within and beyond Europe.  This report will promote better understanding of the education and training system in England and Northern Ireland.   

The report was produced under the guidance of an England/Northern Ireland Steering Group including representatives from all education sectors including higher education, vocational education and training, the school and college sector, awarding organisations, the voluntary and community sector, learners, employers, and a range of government and regulatory bodies including education, funding, inspection and quality assurance agencies.

Similar work has been carried out in Wales with regard to the Credit and Qualifications Framework (CQFW) and in Scotland with regard to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Comparison between the qualifications frameworks of the UK and Ireland is supported by the recently revised Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries leaflet.

The report is also posted on the EQF website alongside the referencing reports from other European countries, and is accessible around the world to provide an overview of how the education, training and qualifications system operates in England and Northern Ireland.

The EQF website hosts a web-tool that allows comparisons of qualification levels between countries that have referenced their framework to the EQF.