Towards aTowards an EQF,n EQF, European European

Qualification Qualification Framework for LLLFramework for LLL

By By

Magda Kirsch & Yves BeernaertMagda Kirsch & Yves Beernaert

Using elements of DG EaC PwPUsing elements of DG EaC PwPEuropeAid/120164/D/SV/BGEuropeAid/120164/D/SV/BG

References

• Official EU consultation text of EQF (05)

• Synthesis of the responses drafted for DG EaC by Pôle Universitaire Européen de Nancy (April 06)

• National Qualification frameworks of Ireland and Scotland

• European Higher Education Qualification Framework

Principle elements of qualification frameworks• Learning outcomes • Competences• Levels• Qualifications• Credits• Workload• Profile

Learning outcomes

• = the set of knowledge or skills and/or competences an individual has acquired and/or is able to demonstrate after completion of a learning process.

• = statements of what the learner is expected to know, understand and/or be able to do at the end of the learning period.

• = to facilitate transparency, comparibility, credit transfer and recognition.

Competences

• Cognitive competence involving the use of theory and concepts as well as informal tacit knowledge gained experientially; (KNOWLEDGE)

• Functional competence (skills or know-how); what a person must be able to do in a given area of work, learning or social activity;(SKILLS)

• Personal competence involving knowing how to conduct oneself in a specific situation;

• Ethical competence involving the possession of certain personal and professional values.(WIDER COMPETENCES

Levels

can be understood as: representing a series of sequential

steps (a developmental continuum), expressed in terms of a range of generic outcomes, against which typical qualifications can be positioned

Qualifications

• A qualification is achieved when a competent body determines that an individual’s learning has reached a specified standard (ST) of knowledge, skills and wider competences.

• The ST of learning outcomes is confirmed by means of an assessment process or the succesful completion of a course of study (and/or work placement).

• A qualification confers official recognition.

Part I

• National Qualfification frameworks

National Qualifications Frameworks: definition

The single description at national level….of an education system, which is internationally understood and through which all qualifications and other learning achievements in HE may be described and related to each other in a coherent way and which defines the relationship between HE qualifications.

Exisiting National Qualifications Frameworks

• UK: Scotland, England, Wales, Northern-Ireland

• Ireland• Denmark• France• Spain• Malta

National Qualifications Frameworks

Characteristics

• all qualifications are included• systematic description• coherent relationship• internationally understood

Why National Qualifications Frameworks?• Make explicit the purpose and aim of

qualifications• Delineate point of integration and

overlap• Provide a context for review and

development of existing qualifications• Provide a context for the design of

new qualifications

The Scottish SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)

12 SCQF levels Higher Education Scottsh Vocational qualifications

12

11

Doctorates

Masters SVQ 5

109

Honours Degree (Graduate Diploma / Certificate)

Ordinary Degree (Graduate Diploma / Certificate)

87 Advanced Higher

Higher National Diploma (Diploma in H.Ed.)

Higher National Certificate (Certificate H.Ed.)

SVQ 4

6 Higher5 Intermediate 2 Credit Standard Grade

SVQ 3

SVQ 2

4 Intermediate 1 Credit Standard Grade

3 Access 3 Foundation Standard Grade

SVQ 1

2 Access 2

1 Access 1

The Irish NFQ

English, Welsh and Northern Ireland Frameworks

National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Framework for Higher Education Qualification Levels (FHEQ)

8 Specialist awards D (doctoral) Doctorates

7 Level 7 Diploma M (Masters) Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas

6 Level 6 diploma H (Honours) Bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas

•5 Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma I (Intermediate) Diplomas of H.Ed. & F.Ed., Foundation degrees, H.Nat. Diploma

4 Level 4 Certificate C (Certificate) Certificates of H.Ed.

3 Level 3 Certificate

Level 3 NVQ

A levels

2 Level 2 Diploma

Level 32 NVQ

GCSEs Grades A-C

1 Level 1 Certificate

Level 1 NVQ

GCSEs Grades D-G

Entry

Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy

Advice in drafting NQF

• The development and review process for producing good NQFs are most effective when they involve all relevant stakeholders

• A NQF should identify a clear nationally agreed set of purposes

• NQF should explicitly link to academic standards and to quality assurance systems (institutional/national)

Part II

• The European Qualification Framework

EQF

What is the EQF?What is the EQF?

Neutral reference pointNeutral reference point based on

learning outcomeslearning outcomes

Translation deviceTranslation device for comparing qualifications

EQF Level 1EQF Level 1

EQF Level 2EQF Level 2

EQF Level 3EQF Level 3

EQF Level 4EQF Level 4

EQF Level 5EQF Level 5

EQF Level 6EQF Level 6

EQF Level 7EQF Level 7

EQF Level 8EQF Level 8

Qualification

Qualification

Qualification

Qualification

Country ACountry A Country BCountry B

Qualification

Qualification

Qualification

The Eight EQF LevelsThe Eight EQF Levels

EachEQF

Reference Level

Knowledge

Skills

Wider personal and professional competences

Focus on Learning Focus on Learning OutcomesOutcomes

EQFEQF

LearningOutcomes

Non-F

ormal Learning

Formal LearningIn

form

al L

earn

ing

The EQF beneficiaries:The EQF beneficiaries:

• Individuals

• Sectors, employers and social partners

• Education/Training systems, providers

The The main main elementelements s of the of the EQFEQF

8 COMMON

REFERENCE LEVELS

A basis for co-operationA basis for co-operation

• EQF EQF implementation implementation is is voluntaryvoluntary

• Entails Entails no legal no legal obligationsobligations on on Member States Member States or sectorsor sectors

• Fosters changeFosters change by supporting by supporting and informing and informing reformreform

What EQF is NOT!What EQF is NOT!

•EQFEQF not about not about replacingreplacing national/sectoral national/sectoral frameworksframeworks

•EQFEQF not about not about harmonisationharmonisation

•EQFEQF CANNOT CANNOT define new define new qualificationsqualifications

The alternative to EQF: The alternative to EQF: bilateral agreements?bilateral agreements?

Country B

Country A

Country C

…they rapidly become very complex…

The alternative to EQF: The alternative to EQF: bilateral agreements?bilateral agreements?

Using the EQFUsing the EQF

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Table 1: Learning Outcomes

Aimed at qualifications authorities, experts:

makes translations between systems and frameworks possible

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Table 2: Supporting Information

Needs to be compiled and completed at national or sectoral level

Credit transfer and accumulation Credit transfer and accumulation systemsystem: ECTS and ECVET !: ECTS and ECVET !

Goal: to create an Goal: to create an

integrated credit integrated credit

transfer system at transfer system at

European level, meeting European level, meeting

the needs of vocational the needs of vocational

and academic and academic

institutionsinstitutions

Linking qualifications to the EQF: Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of the role of nationalnational authorities authorities

• Commitments to link national qualifications to EQF

• Long term reform process

• Learning outcome-based qualifications

• National Framework of Qualifications?

Linking qualifications to the EQF: Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of the role of sectoral sectoral stakeholdersstakeholders

• Invite sectors to link sectoral qualifications to EQF

• Facilitate sectoral developments

• Facilitate link between national and sectoral qualifications

• Decentralisation and self-certification

ConsultationConsultationEurope-wide consultation process from July to December 2005:

• 32 countries in ‘Education and Training 2010’

• Bologna follow-up group

• European Social Partner organisations

• Industry & sector organisations

• Education and training NGOs

Consultation — ResultsConsultation — Results

• Input to drafting of Council and EP Recommendation in Spring 2006

• Support from the new Integrated Lifelong Learning Programme

Draft proposal for a Bulgarian NQF !