HEQF Review and Process Update

Quality Assurance Forum

August 2011

HEQF Review

• Review process

• Main findings:– Mostly affirmed in intent and design– Bit restrictive and inflexible in some areas

Three main areas of concern with framework itself:

– Levels 5/6– Pathways for professional qualifications– Professional qualification at Level 9

ADDeg 360 prof

Dip 360

Bach 120/156

Prof M

Prof D

Snr Doc

PGCE

Dip 240 Dip

240

PG Dip

36 credits

10

9

8

7

6

5HC

AC Deg 360

Deg 480

HonsPG Dip

Masters

Doc

Dip 360

Potential exceptions

• MMed at 660 credits, MMedVet

• Subspecialities

• MBCHb

• MBA level – 8, 9 – funding?

Proposals

Proposal 1:

•The CHE proposes that there be a recognition of three broad qualification progression routes, namely the vocational, professional and general routes. While the routes should be reasonably clear, the CHE advocates permeable boundaries between them.

Proposal 2:

•The CHE proposes that the HEQF should provide for various forms of work-integrated learning including work-directed theoretical learning, problem-based learning, project-based learning and workplace learning.

Proposal 3

•The Higher Certificate at Level 5 and the Advanced Certificate at Level 6 should remain on the HEQF. The HEQF should make provision not only for the CHE to include more qualification types on the HEQF, but also to suggest the relocation of some qualification types to other frameworks in the future.

Proposal 4:

•A 240-credit Diploma at Level 6 as a variant of the 360-credit Diploma, which leads to a professional designation, should be introduced.

Proposal 5:

•The CHE proposes the recognition of a 360-credit Bachelor’s degree with a professional orientation at Level

Proposal 6:

•The CHE proposes that a Bachelor’s degree in both 360- and 480-credit variants may have a professional or general orientation

Proposal 7:

•The CHE proposes that the purpose and characteristics of the Advanced Diploma be expanded to include preparation for further study and that the Advanced Diploma at Level 7 articulate into an appropriate and cognate Honours degree at Level 8 as well as into the Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8.

Proposal 8:

•The CHE proposes the introduction of a professional Master’s degree as a separate qualification type to the general Master’s in its current two variants.

Proposal 9:

•The CHE proposes the introduction of a professional doctoral degree as a variant of the research doctorate.

Proposal 10:

•The CHE proposes that the HEQF specifies the minimum total credits for each qualification type, as well as the minimum credits at the exit level of the qualification, but does not specify the maximum credits at levels below the exit level.

HC

ACDip 360

ADLevel

7360

Deg 480

Hons

Res M/course M

Doc10

9

8

7

6

5

Level 7 degprof

Prof D

Snr Doc

Dip 240

PG Dip Hons

Prof M

Level 8 deg 480

10

9

8

7

6

5

HEQF Implementation

• Plan

• Data collection going ahead – postponed slightly

• Effect of review