Qualifications & Credit Framework

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is the current system of rationalising vocational qualifications to bring them into line with academic levels and grades (and European qualifications). This approach aims to make comparison easier and give more value to vocational qualifications.

The graphic below shows how the new Qualifications & Credit Framework fits within existing vocational and academic qualifications and offers a comparison to the old NVQ framework.

The numbers represent the level of qualification. The numbers are referred to as levels. For example, QCF Level 5 is equivalent to a Foundation Degree.

Adapted from a graphic produced by David Tournay for Radcliffe Trust and HLF conference - Heritage and Crafts: Working Together to Develop Skills and Sustain the Sector, 24 March 2011