In this section
Referencing of the SCQF to the EQF
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQFP) will very shortly open a consultation on the referencing of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF) and welcomes your participation.
The consultation period will run from 9 September to 28 November 2008. To access a copy of the initial report and consultation document, please see the SCQF website:
Please feel free to contact Mike Hewett, SCQF European and International Officer, if you have any queries relating to this consultation (e-mail: m.hewett@scqf.org.uk; tel: 0141 225 2923)
What is the EQF?
- The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong learning is a common European reference framework which enables European countries to link their national qualifications systems to one another.
- It is a translation device making qualifications more readable and understandable across different countries and systems in Europe.
- The key aim of the EQF is to contribute to creating a truly European work force that is mobile and flexible
- The EQF will not replace existing frameworks or define national qualifications systems or qualifications
What are the benefits of the EQF?
The EQF can add value by broadening the recognition of learning which takes place across European countries. It can help individuals, employers and education and training providers compare individual qualifications from different countries and education and training systems. This common understanding helps to increase the status of both the learning itself and the qualifications completed.
The National Coordination Point (NCP)
The European Commission has proposed that each Member State sets up a National Coordination Point (NCP) as the means of relating their national qualifications systems to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The NCP will be the Commission's first point of contact with Member States on issues related to referencing to the EQF.
Three National Coordination Points have been established across the UK including:
- The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQFP) as the NCP for Scotland to relate the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to the EQF
- DCELLS as the NCP for Wales to relate the Credit and Qualifications framework for Wales (CQFW) to the EQF; and
- The England/Northern Ireland EQF Referencing Group - jointly managed by QCA (England) and CCEA (Northern Ireland) - as the NCP for England and Northern Ireland to relate the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) to the EQF
A UK EQF Coordination Group was established in November 2007 to provide a forum for the NCPs to work together to provide a coherent approach to implementation of the EQF across the UK.
Consulting on referencing the UK frameworks to the EQF
Each of the NCPs will conduct an initial referencing exercise of their framework to the EQF and the outputs from this work will be put out to National Consultation. The National Consultations will ask stakeholders to comment on the underpinning methodology adopted for the initial referencing exercise and its subsequent findings and recommendations.
Each NCP will put their consultation document on their website (Scotland – www.scqf.org.uk; Wales – www.cqfw.org.uk; England & NI – www. qca.org.uk | www. ccea.org.uk). The outcomes of the consultations will then be disseminated to stakeholders and the agreed referencing published for use by partners and stakeholders.
The consultation timescales for the UK are:
- Scotland: September 2008 – November 2008
- England/Northern Ireland: November 2008 – January 2009.
- Wales: January – March 2009
Contact Information
- Candidate and General Enquiries
- 0845 279 1000
- Centre Enquiries
- 0303 333 0330
