Diagram of Higher Education Qualification Levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)5

FQ- EHEA

Credit

National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales andNorthern Ireland6Typical QualificationsLevelVocational Qualifications Level 88FellowshipsNVQ Level 5Vocational Qualifications Level 77Vocational Qualifications Level 66NVQ Level 4Higher National Diplomas (HND) Higher National Certificates (HNC) Vocational Qualifications Level 55Vocational Qualifications Level 44National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3Vocational Qualifications Level 3GCE AS and A LevelAdvanced DiplomaWelsh Baccalaureate Advanced43Levels 2, 1 and entry

Progression for selection of students

Typical Qualifications Level cycleTypical UKTypical ECTScredit ranges3Doctoral Degrees (eg PhD, DPhil, EdD)83rdcycleTypically not credit rated1Typically not credit ratedMasters DegreesIntegrated Masters Degrees72ndcycle18060-1202Postgraduate DiplomasPostgraduate Certificate of EducationPostgraduate CertificatesBachelors Degrees with HonoursBachelors Degrees61stcycle360180-240Professional Graduate Certificate in EducationGraduate DiplomasGraduate CertificatesFoundation DegreesDiplomas of Higher Education5Short cycle240120Higher National DiplomasHigher National Certificates4120Certificates of Higher Education(FHEQ levels)

8

7

6

5

4

Entry to HE via equivalent experiential or prior learning

1PhD and DPhil qualifications are typically not credit-rated. Newer doctoral degrees, such as theProfessional Doctorate, are sometimes credit rated, typically 540 UK credits.2A range of 90-120 ECTS is typical of most awards31 ECTS credit is typically worth 2 UK credits4The Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification is part of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales(CQFW)

Section 3.2 further information

5For students with the necessary prerequisites, entry to each FHEQ level is possible from the next lower level in the NQF or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.6These levels will also apply to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF will eventually replace the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Qualification

Full TimeMaximum (years)Full-Time Sandwich Maximum (years)

Part TimeMaximum (years)

Qualification

Full TimeMaximum (years)Full-Time Sandwich Maximum (years)

Part TimeMaximum (years)

Masters Degree3N/A5Advanced Diploma5N/AN/A

Postgraduate Diploma2N/A3Diploma of Higher Education446

Postgraduate Certificate1N/A2Diploma in Professional Studies4N/A6

Graduate Diploma2N/A3Certificate of Higher Education224

Graduate Certificate1N/A2Foundation Degree4N/A6

Bachelor Degree568Higher National Diploma4N/A6

Bachelor Degree (Top-Up)224Higher National Certificate2N/A4

Source: http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/resources/EWNITable.pdf, released 1st July 2009 [accessed 8th September 2009]