Applications for Inclusion in, or Alignment with, the National Framework of Qualifications, 8 September 2006
The National Qualifications Authority has now set out arrangements for the implementation of the recently established Policies and Criteria for the Inclusion in, or Alignment with, the National Framework of Qualifications of the Awards of Certain Awarding Bodies. To view these policies please click here:
Guidelines for Awarding Bodies in Accessing the National Framework of Qualifications
To view guidelines on the implementation of the policies -
The policies identify three different groups:
The policies identify three different groups:
The Authority invites applications from bodies within Groups A and C to have their awards included in or aligned with the Framework. To this end, the Authority has drafted application forms relevant to each Group.
The application forms for Group A comprise two forms:
Stage 1 - Application for eligibility
Stage 2 - Application to have awards included in Framework
The application forms for Group C are subdivided:
For a body located in the UK that makes awards in Ireland
Stage 1 - Application for eligibility
Stage 2 - Application to have awards aligned with Framework
For a body located outside the State (but not in the UK) which makes awards in Ireland
Stage 1 - Application for eligibility - please click here
Stage 2 - Application to have awards aligned with Framework
Bodies who fall into Group B of the Policies: Certain Irish Bodies which regulate professions, apply to the appropriate awards Council; the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC). They can be contacted at http://www.fetac.ie, http://www.hetac.ie Both awards Councils are developing application procedures.
The Authority recognises that there are bodies which make awards in Ireland and which do not have the formal recognition of the State in so doing. The Authority notes that many of these bodies have been operating for many years and considers it very important that the learning outcomes associated with the awards that these bodies make can also be recognised in the context of the Framework. The Authority notes the clear provisions of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, which allow for the submission of programmes for validation to the two Awards Councils – the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. Thus, the Authority notes that Ireland is in a unique position in international terms in having State awards available for all provision of learning opportunities within the State and considers that no learning provider or non-statutory awarding body should feel excluded from working with the Awards Councils. Indeed, such providers and awarding bodies also have the opportunity of working with other State awarding bodies such as the universities and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
For further details, please contact the awards Councils.