Alignment of UK awards with the National Framework of Qualifications

Information provided on aligned qualifications

The reports below include a table of information on the qualifications of each awarding body that have been aligned with the Irish NFQ. These tables contain the following detail:

The name of the qualification
The reference number associated with the qualification – this can be used to locate more information about the qualification on the UK National Database of Accredited Qualifications http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk
The type of qualification: there are a number of different types of qualification in the education and training system in the UK, such as Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) and Higher Level Qualifications (HLQs). Definitions of types of qualification are included in each report
The number of guided learning hours that are associated with the qualification. A definition of guided learning hours is included in each report
The level of the qualification in the National Qualifications Framework of England, Wales and Northern Ireland or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The level at which the qualification has been aligned on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

Qualification Size and Progression Opportunities

A number of the UK education and training qualifications aligned with the Irish NFQ are significantly smaller in size than the Irish qualifications included in the NFQ. In this context, it t is important to investigate and understand in advance what progression opportunities are associated with a qualification and how broadly they are available.