In 2010, the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) was introduced. The QCF is a new way of recognising achievement, and is based on the award of credit from units and qualifications, and will eventually replace the NQF framework for vocational (or work-related) qualifications.
 
The new framework will provide more flexible routes to gaining full qualifications and enables progression to be achieved in smaller steps through the accumulation of credit. Until all NQF qualifications can be fully reviewed and redeveloped there will be a 'mixed economy' of both QCF and NQF qualifications available to learners.
 
If the qualification you are considering hasn't changed to a QCF framework as yet, you should not worry. All qualifications that are currently accredited according to the NQF remain relevant and will be incorporated into the new QCF framework.

The QCF is intended to:

• Enable people to gain qualifications at their own pace, using flexible routes
• Make it easier for employers to understand the level and content of the wide variety of qualifications that people hold

It does this by awarding credit for 'small steps of learning' (qualifications and units). All qualifications will be presented in terms of credits.

Under the QCF, each qualification is assigned a unique title which will indicate:

• The level (difficulty)
• Size (Award, Certificate or Diploma)
• Subject content
• It may include terminology to indicate the qualification purpose (e.g. NVQ).

This naming system is intended to make qualifications more readily understandable to learners, employers and further educational providers. This system will make it easier to understand:

• What content is covered?
• How much learning time was involved?
• At what level of complexity?

• The level indicates the complexity (or challenge) of a qualification, which ranges from Entry to Level 8 (the current NQF system goes up to level 7).

To gauge the complexity of levels within the QCF: GCSEs grades A-C are equivalent to Level 2; GCE A-levels are Level 3; and a PhD is the maximum level 8.

The below table, available at DirectGov, outlines the comparative levels of NQF and QCF qualifications.

The combined size of all the credit value required to complete a qualification (through completion of units) will dictate the use of expression for size of 'Award', 'Certificate', or 'Diploma'. A QCF Diploma is not the same as the new 14-19 Diplomas.

• Award = 1-12 credits
• Certificate = 13-36 credits
• Diploma = 37 credits or more.

The size of a 'full' Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs A*-C) will be decided by the relevant Industry Sector Skills Council who will decide what is required for the qualifications in that industry area. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority have indicated that there must be a minimum of 13 credits (Certificate size).
 
Please note: The use of the expressions 'Award', 'Certificate' and 'Diploma' has no bearing on the complexity/challenge of a qualification, it simply indicates the size (volume of learning).

The new QCF qualification does not recognise the differing types of qualifications that existed under the NQF (e.g. VRQs and NVQs). This does not mean we will see the end of competency based assessment and qualifications as NVQs will be redeveloped in line with the QCF.
 
The QCF regulations have stated that the term 'NVQ' can be used in the title of QCF qualifications to help identify that assessment was competency based.

Eastleigh College also runs specific vocational, academic programmes and short courses follow their own progression routes and may not fit into the NQF or QCF. An example may be the frameworks for Higher Education qualifications, that describe the achievement represented by completion of the qualification e.g. BA (Honours) Counselling Degree.

If you need help deciding on what level is right for you, please contact the Information, Advice and Guidance team on 023 8091 1299.

For further information on the any of the above, please visit the DirectGov website.