National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

The National Qualification Framework (NQF) sets out the levels at which qualifications can be recognised. The NQF can help learners to make informed decisions about the qualifications needed for a particular career or to compare the levels of different qualifications. The NQF highlights the learning and achievement needed to gain a particular qualification recognised at that level. There are nine levels (entry level to level 8) in the NQF.

NQF Entry Level qualifications: Entry Level Certificate.

NQF Level 1 qualifications: GCSE grades D-G; Foundation Diploma; BTEC Introductory Diploma and Certificate; NVQ Level 1.

NQF Level 2 qualifications: GCSE grades A*-C; Higher Diploma; Intermediate GNVQ; NVQ Level 2; BTEC First Diploma and Certificate; and Key Skills Level 2.

NQF Level 3 qualifications: A-level; Advanced Diploma and Progression Diploma, AVCE; BTEC National Diploma, Certificate and Award; BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design); Advanced GNVQ; Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3; and NVQ Level 3. University of Bolton courses referred to as Level HE0 are equivalent to NQF Level 3. Other Level 3 equivalent qualifications include Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificates and the International Baccalaureate.

NQF Level 4 qualifications: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE). University of Bolton courses referred to as Level HE4 are equivalent to NQF Level 4.

NQF Level 5 qualifications: Foundation Degree (eg FdA, FdSc); BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) and Certificate (HNC); Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE). University of Bolton courses referred to as Level HE5 are equivalent to NQF Level 5.

NQF Level 6 qualifications: Bachelor degrees (eg BA, BSc, LLB); Graduate Certificates (GradCert) and Diplomas (GradDip). University of Bolton courses referred to as Level HE6 are equivalent to NQF Level 6.

NQF Level 7 qualifications: Masters degrees (eg MA, MSc, MPhil); Postgraduate Certificates (PgCert) and Diplomas (PgDip). University of Bolton courses referred to as Level HE7 are equivalent to NQF Level 7. Sometimes you may also see these courses referred to as M level courses.

NQF Level 8 qualifications: Doctorate (eg PhD).

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