Qualification and Credit Framework
Qualification and Credit Framework
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) contains vocational (or work-related) qualifications, available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
These qualifications are made up of units that are worth credits. You can study units at your own pace and build these up to full qualifications of different sizes over time.
Units and qualifications also range in difficulty, from entry level to level 8 (similar to the levels in the NQF).
| Level | Examples of academic / FHEQ qualifications | QCF | Police staff pay scales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | – Entry level certificates – English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Skills for Life – Functional Skills at entry level (English, maths and ICT) | Awards, Certificates Diplomas | |
| 1 | – GCSEs grades D-G QCF Level 1 – Key Skills at level 1 – Skills for Life – Functional Skills at Level 1 | QCF Level 1 | Scale 2 |
| 2 | – GCSEs grades A*-C / 9-5 – Key Skills level 2 – Skills for Life – Functional Skills at Level 1 3 | QCF Level 2 | Scale 3 (x 2 passes) Scale 4 (x3 passes) Scale 5 (4-5 passes) |
| 3 | – A levels – Key Skills level 3 – GCE in applied subjects – International Baccalaureate | QCF Level 3 Post-college vocational qualifications at Level 3 | Scale 6 SO1 |
| 4 | – HNCs – Certificates of Higher Education | QCF Level 4 vocational qualifications | SO2 |
| 5 | – HNDs – Diplomas of higher education – Foundation Degrees qualifications – Higher national diplomas | QCF Level 5 vocational qualifications | PO1 |
| 6 | – Bachelors degrees – Bachelors degrees with honours – Graduate certificates and diplomas – Professional Graduate Certificate in Education | QCF Level 6 | PO2-3 |
| 7 | – Masters degrees – integrated masters degrees – postgraduate certificates – postgraduate diplomas | QCF Level 7 | HMG (G-D) |
| 8 | – Doctoral degrees | QCF Level 8 | HMG (C-A) |
