Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF)

The qualifications regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were commissioned by the UK VQ Reform Programme Board to develop a jointly regulated qualifications framework for the three countries. The framework is intended to be a simple and rational organising structure for units and qualifications that is capable of supporting the award, accumulation and transfer of credit achievement over time.

The resultant Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) is an inclusive framework that is capable of recognising a wide range of different qualifications, from entry level through to level 8. At this stage it is the intention that it will contain vocational qualifications. Decisions about general qualifications have yet to be taken.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) aims to:

• ensure that a wider range of learners' achievements can be recognised within a more inclusive qualifications framework;
• establish a qualifications system that is more responsive to individuals' and employers' needs;
• establish a simpler qualifications framework that is easier for all users to understand; and
• reduce the burden of bureaucracy in the accreditation and assessment of qualifications.

To achieve these objectives, the QCF is based on the principle that the fewer organisational constraints designed into the framework, the more responsive and inclusive it will be.

Progress on QCF

The Regulatory Arrangements for the QCF was published in August 2008. This document sets out the regulatory arrangements that will apply to organisations operating within the QCF and to qualifications that are accredited into the QCF. These regulatory arrangements have been published in advance of decisions on the roll-out of the QCF to enable awarding organisations to begin development of new qualifications within clear regulatory guidelines. The regulatory arrangements have been designed flexibly so they will be compatible, whatever the details of the roll-out of the QCF.

Detailed information about the QCF, can be found at on the QCA website.