Source: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/qualifications-what-different-levels-mean
Qualification frameworks
In the UK, most qualifications taken through work, school, college or university, fit into one of nine levels (12 in Scotland). The higher the level, the harder the qualification. The levels are based on the standards of knowledge, skill and competence needed for each qualification. Qualifications at the same level can be very different in terms of content and the length of time they take to complete.
Knowing about the different levels means that you can compare qualifications and identify what you need for your chosen career.
Four qualifications frameworks are in use within the UK:
- Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland
- Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
- Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
Qualification levels
The table below shows some examples of qualifications at each level under the various frameworks. The list is not exhaustive.
| Qualification level | Examples of qualifications | What they give you |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Entry level awards, certificates and diplomasEssential skills at entry level | basic knowledge and skillsability to apply learning in everyday situationsnot geared towards specific occupations |
| One | GCSE grades D-G (and grades 3 to 1 in England)level one awards, diplomas and certificatesKey Skills level 1NVQsEssential SkillsMusic grades 1 to 3 | basic knowledge and skillsability to apply learning with guidance or supervisionmay be linked to job competence |
| Two | GCSE grades A*- C (and grades 4 to 9 in England)intermediate apprenticeshipsLevel 2 awards, diplomas and certificatesOCR NationalsNVQsEssential SkillsMusic grades 4 and 5O level – grades A-C | good knowledge and understanding of a subjectability to do a variety of tasks with some guidance or supervisionsuitable for many job roles |
| Three | AS and A levelsAccess to Higher Education diplomaadvanced apprenticeshipInternational BaccalaureateNVQsBTEC diplomas, certificates and awardsBTEC NationalsOCR NationalsMusic grades 6 to 8 | ability to gain or apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding at a detailed levelappropriate if you plan to go to university, work independently or (in some cases) supervise and train others in their field of work |
| Four | NVQsBTEC Professional diplomas, certificates and awardsHNCsCertificates of Higher Education (CertHE)Higher apprenticeship | specialist learning, involving detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or studysuitable for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others |
| Five | HNDsNVQsBTEC Professional diplomas, certificates and awardsFoundation degreesDiploma of higher education (DipHE) | ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study, so you can respond to complex problems and situationsinvolves high level of work expertise and competence in managing and training otherssuitable for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers |
| Six | Bachelor’s degreesProfessional Graduate Certificate in EducationGraduate diplomasBTEC Advanced Professional diplomas, certificates and awardsdegree apprenticeship | a specialist, high-level knowledge of an area of work or study, to allow you to use your own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situationssuitable for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions |
| Seven | Master’s degreesPostgraduate Certificate in EducationBTEC Advanced Professional diplomas, certificates and awards | highly developed and complex levels of knowledge, enabling you to develop original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situationssuitable for senior professionals and managers |
| Eight | Doctoral degreesspecialist awards, certificates and diplomas | opportunity to develop new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practicesuitable for leading experts or practitioners in a particular field |
More information on the frameworks and associated levels, including comparisons with other countries can be found on the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments (CCEA) website(external link opens in a new window / tab).
- The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) in Scotland outline the standards and qualifications for HE.
- Levels range from 4 to 8, with Level 4 corresponding to the first year of undergraduate study and Level 8 to doctoral qualifications.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
There are 9 qualification levels. Levels 4 and above are considered to be Higher Education.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
Entry level
Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels – 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.
Entry level qualifications are:
- entry level award
- entry level certificate (ELC)
- entry level diploma
- entry level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
- entry level essential skills
- entry level functional skills
- Skills for Life
Level 1
Level 1 qualifications are:
- first certificate
- GCSE – grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
- level 1 award
- level 1 certificate
- level 1 diploma
- level 1 ESOL
- level 1 essential skills
- level 1 functional skills
- level 1 national vocational qualification (NVQ)
- music grades 1, 2 and 3
Level 2
Level 2 qualifications are:
- CSE – grade 1
- GCSE – grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
- intermediate apprenticeship
- level 2 award
- level 2 certificate
- level 2 diploma
- level 2 ESOL
- level 2 essential skills
- level 2 functional skills
- level 2 national certificate
- level 2 national diploma
- level 2 NVQ
- music grades 4 and 5
- O level – grade A, B or C
Level 3
Level 3 qualifications are:
- A level
- access to higher education diploma
- advanced apprenticeship
- applied general
- AS level
- international Baccalaureate diploma
- level 3 award
- level 3 certificate
- level 3 diploma
- level 3 ESOL
- level 3 national certificate
- level 3 national diploma
- level 3 NVQ
- music grades 6, 7 and 8
- T Level
- tech level
Level 4
Level 4 qualifications are:
- certificate of higher education (CertHE)
- higher apprenticeship
- higher national certificate (HNC)
- level 4 award
- level 4 certificate
- level 4 diploma
- level 4 NVQ
Level 5
Level 5 qualifications are:
- diploma of higher education (DipHE)
- foundation degree
- higher national diploma (HND)
- level 5 award
- level 5 certificate
- level 5 diploma
- level 5 NVQ
Level 6
Level 6 qualifications are:
- degree apprenticeship
- degree with honours – for example bachelor of the arts (BA) hons, bachelor of science (BSc) hons
- graduate diploma
- level 6 award
- level 6 certificate
- level 6 diploma
- level 6 NVQ
- ordinary degree without honours
Level 7
Level 7 qualifications are:
- integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering (MEng)
- level 7 award
- level 7 certificate
- level 7 diploma
- level 7 NVQ
- master’s degree, for example master of arts (MA), master of science (MSc)
- postgraduate certificate
- postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
- postgraduate diploma
Level 8
Level 8 qualifications are:
- doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
- level 8 award
- level 8 certificate
- level 8 diploma
Scotland
Source: Home – Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
What are level and credit points?
The SCQF has 12 levels, ranging from basic introductory skills (level 1) to doctoral degrees (level 12). Each level signifies the complexity of the learning outcomes.
Credit points indicate the amount of learning, with one SCQF credit point representing an average of 10 hours of learning.
SCQF credit points can sometimes be transferred to other programmes, so learners don’t have to repeat what they’ve already studied.
Universities, colleges, and awarding bodies decide how many of these points can be transferred into their programmes. The final decision credit transfer is up to the individual institution.
Level 1
SCQF Level 1 recognises learning development and achievement that ranges from participation in experiential situations to the achievement of basic tasks, with varying degrees of support.
Level 2
Job roles at SCQF Level 2 are likely to require the completion of a few limited tasks under close supervision. They will be undertaken in familiar and routine contexts. The job role may involve tasks which support or contribute to the work of other employees. The job holder should be able to follow rehearsed routines with support. It is likely that prompting is required to carry out allocated tasks, either as an individual or part of a team.
- National 2 (Nat2)
- Access 2
- A range of other courses are available in the workplace and community
Level 3
Job roles at SCQF Level 3 are likely to be undertaken in a context where familiarity and routine are an important contributory factor to the individual’s capacity to complete tasks. The work may involve responsibility for providing simple and narrowly defined services for customers or other employees under frequent supervision. The job holder should be able to take account of common risks and know when to seek advice or guidance. These roles may require the job holder to carry out tasks as an individual or as part of a team.
- National 3 (Nat3)
- Access 3
- A range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 4
Job roles at SCQF Level 4 may involve responsibility for providing a number of simple or narrowly defined services for customers or other employees under regular supervision. These roles may require the job holder to organise their immediate work as an individual or part of a team and to ensure that it meets set objectives or work flow requirements.
- National 4 (Nat4)
- SVQ1
- Standard Grade General
- Intermediate 1
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 5
Job roles at SCQF Level 5 may involve responsibility for providing a range of routine services for customers or other employees under minimum supervision but normally under guidance. These roles may require the job holder to organise immediate work as an individual or as part of a team and to ensure that it meets agreed objectives or scheduling requirements.
- National 5 (Nat5)
- SVQ at SCQF level 5
- Standard Grade Credit
- Intermediate 2
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 6
Job roles at SCQF Level 6 may involve responsibility for providing support or services in a range of areas, where overall objectives are clear but elements of the work may not be routine. Job holders may operate under minimal supervision and take responsibility for planning work, maintaining materials and equipment and record-keeping. Jobs may involve some supervisory responsibility within a defined or supervised structure.
- Higher
- SVQ at SCQF Level 6
- Foundation Apprenticeship
- Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 7
Job roles at SCQF Level 7 may involve responsibility for implementing or supervising complex services within a defined, familiar or supervised structure. Jobs may involve the management of resources or people within defined areas, working at professional level with others to gain an understanding of current professional practice.
- Advanced Higher
- CSYS
- Higher National Certificate
- Certificate Of Higher Education
- Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 7
- SVQ at SCQF Level 7
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 8
Job roles at SCQF Level 8 may involve responsibility for running established operations, systems or services which may be complex in nature, to ensure standards or targets are met, or to identify opportunities for improvement. Some roles at this level may involve the job holder in managing processes, professional issues, supervising others or providing technical advice to senior managers.
- Higher National Diploma
- Diploma of Higher Education
- Higher or Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 8
- SVQ at SCQF Level 8
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 9
Job roles at SCQF Level 9 may involve providing advice or support in a specialised technical or professional field to organisations or large departments and making recommendations on managing complex processes, situations or issues. Individuals may be responsible for planning and organising their own work or that of a team of professional colleagues who may be undertaking a range of differing activities.
- Bachelors/Ordinary Degree
- Graduate Diploma
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate or Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 9
- SVQ at SCQF Level 9
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 10
Job roles at SCQF Level 10 may involve providing advice and support in specialised technical or professional fields to whole organisations, divisions or large departments. Job holders may be required to set up and carry out research, make recommendations and design and carry out projects to improve processes and services. They may have some responsibility for maintaining or improving capacity within the organisation.
- Honours Degree
- Graduate Diploma
- Graduate Certificate
- Professional or Graduate Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 10
Level 11
Job roles at SCQF Level 11 may involve providing leadership in a specialised technical or professional field to whole organisations, divisions or large departments. Job holders may lead research projects and/or design and implement improvements to processes and services. They may be specialised technical roles. They may have responsibility for ensuring that the organisation has the capacity to achieve its goals.
- Masters Degree
- Post Graduate Certificate
- Post Graduate Diploma
- Professional or Graduate Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 11
- SVQ at SCQF Level 11
- A wide range of other courses available in the workplace and community
Level 12
Job roles at SCQF Level 12 involve leading whole organisations, or divisions of large organisations. They will have responsibility for strategic planning and ensuring the success of the organisation by overseeing the management of the main functions. They may require highly developed research or academic skills in combination with operational and/or leadership responsibilities.
- Doctoral Degree
- Professional Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 12
- Range of other courses available in the workplace and community