RQF comparisons
You may have seen UK ENIC comparisons such as ‘RQF Level 2/SCQF Level 5/CQFW Level 2’ on our database and/or statements. If you have ever wondered what is meant by this, you are probably not alone.
For context, UK ENIC comparison statements fall into one of four streams: ‘academic’, ‘vocational’, ‘occupational’ and ‘framework’. The first three are defined on our UK ENIC Band Framework page.
The ‘framework’ stream refers to UK qualification frameworks. For example, ‘RQF’ stands for ‘Regulated Qualifications Framework’.
In essence, these statements indicate that an award is nationally recognised in-country but is somewhat ‘niche’ and doesn’t neatly fit into another category.
Scenarios where we might compare to a generic framework level include (but are not limited to):
- Awards whose function has no clear UK counterpart e.g. entrance examinations or reasoning tests
- Further specialisation awards at the same level as the preceding qualification
- Incomplete higher education awards
- Occupational awards delivered via distance-learning
- Professional qualifications
- Short courses
Framework comparisons enable us to both acknowledge that an award is formally recognised in-country and provide an indication of its level. The level gives you an insight into the complexity of knowledge and skills. For example, if an award is comparable to ‘RQF level 6…’, it would sit at the same level as a UK Bachelor degree.
However, an award compared to ‘RQF level 6…’ would likely differ from a UK Bachelor degree in other key ways. This might reflect factors such as function, volume, delivery, assessment and/or progression.
Where an award is comparable to a framework level, admitting bodies should interpret this information as they see fit. If you have any questions, please contact UK ENIC.