Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are intended to provide guidance on areas of the NFQ that are particularly relevant to learners:
- 1. What is the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)?
- 2. How does the National Framework of Qualifications work?
- 3. What are the benefits of the NFQ for learners?
- 4. Who can make awards in the NFQ?
- 5. What are major, minor, supplemental and special purpose awards?
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6. Where can I download a copy of the fan diagram?
- 7. I plan to undertake a course of education or training, how can I ensure that the resulting award is recognised through the NFQ?
- 8. My award was made before the introduction of the NFQ - is it recognised?
- 9. I obtained a National Diploma - can it now be called an Ordinary Bachelor Degree?
- 10. I gained my qualification in another country. Can it be recognised through the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)?
- 11. My qualification is from a UK awarding body. Can it be recognised through the NFQ?
- 12. I gained my qualification in Ireland from a UK awarding body. Can it be recognised through the NFQ?
- 13. Are professional awards recognised through the NFQ?
- 14. Does the classification/grading of an award affect where it is placed on the NFQ?
- 15. What is the difference between an Ordinary and Honours Bachelor Degree?
- 16. What is Europass?
- 17. What does Access, Transfer and Progression (ATP) mean?
1. What is the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)?
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is intended to put the learner at the centre of the education and training system in Ireland. It is important that you are aware of the NFQ, understand what it means for you, and the benefits it can bring.
The NFQ provides a structure (a framework) to compare and contrast the level and standard of different qualifications. This helps you to make informed decisions about your qualification choices and to consider progression opportunities available to you. The NFQ also makes it easier for you to explain to others what qualifications you hold, or are studying for. This becomes very important when you are considering further learning or when you are applying for a job - at home or abroad.
The NFQ, illustrated by the “fan diagram” above is a system of ten levels. It is based on standards of knowledge, skill and competence and it incorporates awards made for all kinds of learning, wherever it is gained. School qualifications awarded by the State Examinations Commission, further education and training qualifications awarded by FETAC and higher education and training qualifications awarded by HETAC, DIT, other Institutes of Technology and the Universities are all included in the Framework.
See About the NFQ for more information.
2. How does the National Framework of Qualifications work?
The National Framework of Qualifications has been built around an agreed architecture, as a result of an extended consultative period with a range of stakeholders. The following points illustrate the central features of its construction:
- The Framework is comprised of levels, award-types and named-awards
- It has ten levels covering the very initial stages of learning to the most advanced
- Four classes of award-type have been determined for the Framework - major, minor, special-purpose and supplemental. This is to ensure that the Framework can capture all types and sizes of learning undertaken by a learner
- Award-types are independent of a particular discipline. For example, an'Advanced Certificate' is an award-type at Level 6. There are a number of ‘Advanced Certificates’available for a number of different disciplines at Level 6. The named-award indicates the discipline in which the ‘Advanced Certificate’was achieved e.g. 'Advanced Certificate Craft - Electrical'
- Each award-type (e.g. Advanced Certificate) has its own award-type descriptor. This means that the overall standard of knowledge, skill and competence is set out. These overall standards can then be used to indicate the standard that a named-award should be at (e.g. Advanced Certificate Craft –Electrical). This ensures that there is consistency across qualifications at a given level on the Framework.
3. What are the benefits of the NFQ for learners?
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is intended to put you, the learner, at the centre of the education and training system in Ireland.
Some of the benefits for learners include:
- Qualifications in the NFQ are quality assured. This means that you, the learner, can have confidence that your course, and the institution at which you are studying, are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Quality assurance is intended to ensure that all learners have a high quality learning experience regardless of where you are studying.
- From a learner perspective, the NFQ can help individuals to plan their education and training and career progression and provide value for different types of learning.
- Learners can make informed choices about the qualifications they choose, whilst taking into account the progression routes that may be open to them upon completion.
See Are you a Learner for more information.
4. Who can make awards in the NFQ?
As a result of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, a number of awarding bodies have a statutory (legal) basis to make awards in Ireland and have had their qualifications included in the NFQ. These bodies are:
- The State Examinations Commission which makes school awards, e.g. Junior Certificate (NFQ Level 3) and Leaving Certificate (NFQ Levels 4/5)
- The Further Education and Training Awards Council which make all further education and training awards from NFQ Levels 1-6
- The Higher Education and Training Awards Council which make higher education and training awards outside of the university sector from NFQ Levels 6-10
- The Institutes of Technology make their own awards at specified levels under delegated authority from HETAC at NFQ Levels 6-10
- The Dublin Institute of Technology which makes awards at NFQ Levels 6-10
- The Universities which make awards at NFQ Levels 7-10
- A limited number of professional bodies also have statutory (legal) rights to make awards in the State and can apply to have their awards included in the Framework, e.g. the Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland has been recognised as equivalent to an award at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications
See ‘Awarding Bodies’ for more information.
5. What are major, minor, supplemental and special purpose awards?
As well as the 10 level structure, the NFQ includes different classes or categories of awards. These are different because they reflect a mix of standards of knowledge, skill and competence. This gives the learner the freedom to build their qualifications in ways that suit their needs.
There are four classes of award-types:
- Major awards are the main class of award made at a level. You may have heard of some of these, for example, the Leaving Certificate, the Advanced Certificate or the Honours Bachelor Degre. There are 16 major awards in the Framework which can be seen in the ‘fan’ diagram.
- Minor awards provide recognition for learners who achieve a range of learning outcomes but not the specific combination of learning outcomes required for a major award. These awards allow learners to build up units of learning at their own pace to meet their own needs.
- Special-purpose awards are made for very specific purposes — for example, the Safe Pass certification of competence in health and safety in the construction industry.
- Supplemental awards are for learning which is additional to a previous award. They could, for example, relate to updating and refreshing knowledge or skills, or to continuing professional development
6. Where can I download a copy of the fan diagram?
A copy of the NFQ fan diagram can be found here.
7 . I plan to undertake a course of education or training, how can I ensure that the resulting award is included on the NFQ?
To get the most from your choices about education and training, it is worth asking the following questions:
- What qualification does a particular course lead to?
- Who is the awarding body?
- Does a course lead to a qualification that is included on the National Framework of Qualifications?
- What level is the qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications?
- What type of qualification (e.g., major, minor) is it?
- What are the options to progress further after completing it?
A good source of information is QualifaX, the National Learners’ Database: www.qualifax.ie. This website provides information on courses, including the NFQ level of the resulting qualification where applicable.
8. My award was made before the introduction of the NFQ - is it recognised ?
The NFQ was introduced in 2003. Most former awards have been placed on the NFQ and this is ongoing. Examples of former awards include the NCVA National Vocational Certificate Level 2 and the NCEA National Diploma which are no longer made in Ireland. The NCVA National Vocational Certificate Level 2 is placed at Level 5 on the NFQ. The National Diploma is placed at Level 7 on the NFQ. The current award made at Level 7 is the Ordinary Bachelor Degree.
Click here for a copy of the NFQ which includes information on current and former awards which are recognised through the NFQ
9. I obtained a National Diploma - can it now be called an Ordinary Bachelor Degree?
The National Diploma is a legacy award, no longer made since the introduction of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in 2003 but is placed at Level 7 on the NFQ. The current award at NFQ Level 7 is the Ordinary Bachelor Degree. Therefore, both the National Diploma and the Ordinary Bachelor Degree are recognised through the NFQ at Level 7 but holders of the National Diploma may not call their award an Ordinary Bachelor Degree.
10. I gained my qualification in another country. Can it be recognised through the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)?
Qualifications made in other countries can be recognised through the NFQ. Qualifications Recognition, based at the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), provides a free information service that helps individuals compare their foreign qualifications with Irish qualifications. The service provides information regarding the foreign qualification held by you and compares the foreign qualification to a qualification that is placed at a particular level on the Irish NFQ.
An increasing number of Country Education Profiles and information on comparability of international awards in an Irish context is available in the ‘International Qualifications Database’ on the Qualifications Recognition website, www.qualrec.ie.
11. My qualification is from a UK awarding body. Can it be recognised through the NFQ?
In the first instance, you must establish if the awarding body is a recognised awarding body in the UK and what level the qualification is at on the UK’s Qualifications Frameworks. For further (vocational) education and training providers, you can do this by checking the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) in the UK. For higher education and training providers, please check the website of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in the UK. If the awarding body is recognised and you have a level for the qualification in question, you may then use the document entitled ‘Qualifications can cross boundaries’ as a quick guide to how the qualification compares to a level on the Irish NFQ. These awards can be recognised through the Irish NFQ. Awarding bodies from other countries making awards in Ireland can apply to have their awards recognised (or “aligned”). The key criteria are that the awards are included in the qualifications framework of the country where the awarding body is based, and that quality assurance is in place for the awards made in Ireland.
12. I gained my qualification in Ireland from a UK awarding body. Can it be recognised through the NFQ?
The Authority agreed a policy approach in 2006 for the alignment of the qualifications of UK education and training awarding bodies (delivered in Ireland) with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The main purpose of aligning these qualifications is to provide learners with clear information regarding the qualification and the level at which it best fits on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
All of the UK qualifications that have been aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications are:
- included in the National Qualification Frameworks of England, Wales and Northern Ireland or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework of Scotland
- delivered in Ireland to the same specification as they are in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
- subject to external quality assurance processes and procedures
For further information and listing of UK awards which are aligned with the NFQ, please click here
13. Are professional awards recognised through the NFQ?
The Authority published its policies on the inclusion and alignment of the awards of professional bodies in 2006. A number of awards made by professional bodies have been recognised through the NFQ. For further information please click here.
14. Does the classification/grading of an award affect where it is placed on the NFQ?
No, the classification/grading of an award does not affect where it is placed on the NFQ. The NFQ level is defined by the qualification rather than the level of classification/grading. For example, an Honours Bachelor Degree is included in the NFQ at Level 8 whether an individual attains a Pass, Second Class or First Class classification.
15. What is the difference between an Ordinary and Honours Bachelor Degree?
The Ordinary Bachelor Degree is typically awarded following completion of a programme of three years duration (180 ECTS credits) in a recognised higher education institution and is included in the NFQ at Level 7.
The Honours Bachelor Degree is typically awarded following completion of a programme of three to four years duration (180-240 ECTS credits) in a recognised higher education institution, although there are examples of longer programmes in areas such as architecture, dentistry and medicine. In addition, there are typically programmes of 1 year duration leading to Honours Bachelor Degrees for holders of the Ordinary Bachelor degree. The Honours Bachelor Degree is included in the NFQ at Level 8.
16. What is Europass?
Europass aims to help individuals to have their skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in Europe, thereby increasing the mobility of both learners and workers. Europass consists of five documents which help to describe learning achievements in a coherent manner. Included in the five documents are a Curriculum Vitae and a Language Passport. Europass also includes Supplements that explain in detail the meaning of the qualifications held by a learner. These are the Certificate and Diploma Supplements which provide additional information on further and higher education awards, respectively.
See The International Context for more information.
17. What does Access, Transfer and Progression (ATP) mean?
The NFQ allows a more flexible route for learners to take up education and training opportunities at any stage throughout their lives. The NQAI has a statutory role in promoting and facilitating access, transfer and progression and the NFQ is an important tool in relation to access, transfer and progression
See Access, Transfer and Progression for more information.
