Awards in the Framework
Introduction
School awards
Further Education and Training awards
Higher Education and Training awards
Professional Body awards
UK awards aligned with the Framework
International awards aligned with the Framework
Legacy Awards
Further Information
Contact Details
Introduction
The National Framework of Qualifications was launched in 2003. The following section provides an overview of the awards recognised through the Framework as at 29 January 2010.
View our Interactive Fan Diagram which explains how the framework levels are broken up.
Schools Awards
School awards are made by the State Examinations Commission. The Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate awards are included in the Framework as follows:
Junior Certificate Level 3
Leaving Certificate Level 4 and 5
Further Education and Training Awards
The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the national awarding body for further education and training. Its awards are included in the Framework from levels 1 to 6.
For further information on FETAC awards visit www.fetac.ie
Higher Education and Training Awards
HETAC / IOTs with Delegated Authority
The awards made by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Institutes of Technology* which have been delegated authority to make awards by HETAC, are all included in the Framework from levels 6 to 10.
For further information on HETAC and providers accredited by HETAC visit www.hetac.ie
A listing of websites for the Institutes of Technology is available from Institutes of Technology Ireland www.ioti.ie
* The Institutes of Technology with delegated authority from HETAC to make awards at various levels are: Athlone Institute of Technology; Cork Institute of Technology; Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown; Institute of Technology, Carlow; Institute of Technology, Sligo; Institute of Technology, Tallaght; Institute of Technology, Tralee; Letterkenny Institute of Technology; Limerick Institute of Technology; Waterford Institute of Technology.
Dublin Institute of Technology
The awards made by the Dublin Institute of Technology are all included in the Framework from levels 6-10.
For further information on DIT awards visit www.dit.ie
Universities
There are eight universities in Ireland. They are: Dublin City University (DCU); University College Cork (UCC); National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG); National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM); Trinity College Dublin (TCD); University College Dublin (UCD); University of Limerick (UL).
The National University of Ireland (NUI) also makes awards directly in the colleges it recognises. These are: the Institute of Public Administration (IPA); the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI); the National College of Art and Design (NCAD); Milltown Institute; and, the Shannon College of Hotel Management.
In July 2004 the following awards of the universities listed above and of the NUI were included in the Framework at the following levels:
Ordinary Bachelor Degree Level 7
Honours Bachelor Degree Level 8
Masters Degree Level 9
Doctoral Degree Level 10
In September 2008 the universities submitted listings of their major diplomas (i.e., Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma awards) and their non-major awards (minor, supplemental and special purpose) for inclusion in the Framework. These lists, along with updates since provided by the universities, are available below:
Dublin City University (DCU) Major Diplomas
Dublin City University (DCU) Non-Major Awards
University College Cork (UCC) Major Diplomas (Updated 1 May 2011)
University College Cork (UCC) Non-Major Award (Updated 1 May 2011)
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) Major Diplomas (Updated September 2009)
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) Non-Major Awards
National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) Major Diplomas (updated January 2010)
National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) Non-Major Awards
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Major Diplomas
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Non-Major Awards
University College Dublin (UCD) Major Diplomas (Updated September 2009)
University College Dublin (UCD) Non-Major Awards (Updated September 2009)
University of Limerick (UL) Major Diplomas
University of Limerick (UL) Non-Major Awards
NUI Major Diplomas and Non-Major Awards
- Further University Awards to be included in the Framework
The Authority executive is continuing to collaborate with the universities, the NUI, and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) to secure the inclusion in the Framework of the remainder of the universities’ current awards and the placement of the awards made prior to the introduction of the Framework (also termed'legacy awards'). Further developments on this process will be posted to the website as they take place.
Professional Bodies
The Authority published its policies on the inclusion/alignment of the awards of professional bodies in 2006. The following professional bodies/awards have been recognised through the Framework:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ICAI): The Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland has been recognised as equivalent to an award at level 9 on the Framework.
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA): The learning outcomes associated with the professional qualification of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) have been aligned with level 9 of the Framework.
UK awards aligned with the Framework
The Authority agreed a policy approach in 2006 for the alignment of the qualifications of UK education and training awarding bodies (delivered in Ireland) with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The main purpose of aligning these qualifications is to provide learners with clear information regarding the qualification and the level at which it best fits on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
All of the UK qualifications that have been aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications are:
- included in the National Qualification Frameworks of England, Wales and Northern Ireland or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework of Scotland
- delivered in Ireland to the same specification as they are in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
- subject to external quality assurance processes and procedures
Further information and listing of UK awards which are aligned with the NFQ
International awards aligned with the Framework
The Authority agreed a policy approach in 2006 for the alignment of the qualifications of certain bodies from outside the State which make awards in Ireland with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The main purpose of aligning these qualifications is to provide learners with clear information regarding the qualification and the level at which it best fits on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
All of the international qualifications that have been aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications are:
- included in the qualifications system in the home jurisdiction;
- delivered in Ireland to the same specification as in the home jurisdiction;
- subject to external quality assurance processes and procedures.
Legacy Awards
With the introduction of the NFQ in 2003, changes were made to the education system in Ireland which meant that some awards were discontinued. However, these awards are included in the NFQ as legacy awards.
Examples of legacy awards include awards made by awarding bodies prior to the establishment of FETAC and HETAC. An example of this is the National Diploma which is placed at Level 7 on the NFQ, which is the same level as the current award of the Ordinary Bachelor Degree.
Click here for a copy of the NFQ which includes current and legacy awards.
Further Information on Awards in the NFQ
Qualifax, the National Learners’ Database contains information about NFQ level of awards and award type where awards have been included in the NFQ.
Contact Details
Queries regarding the status of awards included in the National Framework of Qualifications can be addressed to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland by telephone (01) 887-1500 or via email to info@nqai.ie
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