33. Country Background Report on the Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning

This country background report on the recognition of non-formal and informal learning in Ireland has been completed as part of an OECD activity on the “Recognition of non-formal and informal learning (2006 – 2008)” in which Ireland participates.  The report was drafted in 2006/2007 by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland with the assistance of an Advisory Group and, in particular, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council.  The aim of the report is to document and review the current scenario in Ireland regarding the recognition of prior non-formal and informal
learning.

32. Report on Transfer and Progression into Undergraduate Programmes Leading to University Awards

This report concerns transfer and progression into undergraduate programmes leading to university awards.  The research on which the report is based was carried out by McIver Consulting on behalf of the HEA, the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. 

31. Verification of Compatibility of Irish National Framework of Qualifications with the Bologna Framework

In May 2005, European Ministers for Higher Education meeting in Bergen adopted the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (the Bologna Framework).  On 8 November 2006, Ireland became the first European country to verify the compatibility of its National Framework of Qualifications with the Bologna Framework. In order to view  the verification report:

30. Reviews of Qualifications Frameworks – International Practice

The Authority has completed a paper on the extent to which existing national qualifications frameworks have been reviewed. This is the first step in developing an approach to the review of the National Framework of Qualifications. The paper finds that reviews are recent and few in number.  They mainly concern impact, implementation and/or fundamental objectives of frameworks.  Those undertaken raise important questions and considerations that can inform the approach to be taken to the NFQ.

29. Review of Professional Doctorates

The Authority has completed a review of national and international practice concerning Professional Doctorates. This looked at their incidence, fields of study, programmes and qualifications descriptors. It finds that they are a small but growing part of doctoral education in
Ireland and suggests that it is timely for the relevant bodies in higher education to explore the usefulness of best practice guidelines for them.

28. Implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications in the Universities

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Registrars of the Irish universities have recently agreed a policy approach regarding the completion of the implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications in the university sector. The agreed approach focuses, in particular, on the inclusion of the universities sub-degree and other smaller awards in the Framework, and sets outs an agreed basis and process for their inclusion.

27. External review of agencies: overview of national and international practice

In preparation for the review of the performance by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council of its functions, the Authority executive undertook an overview of national and international practice concerning the external review of agencies with a substantial role in quality assurance in higher education and review practices concerning public sector agencies in Ireland. The review will be implemented with reference to this practice.

26. Corporate Plan 2006-2008

The Corporate Plan 2006-2008 was launched today by Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the FÁS Training Centre, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork. The plan documents the Authority's work for the upcoming period 2006-2008 and also contains a report on the work of the Authority over the last two years.

24. Principles and operational guidelines for the recognition of prior learning

With the assistance of its Advisory Group on the Recognition of Prior Learning, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has now adopted Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Further and Higher Education and Training.

23. Principles and operational guidelines for the implementation of a national approach to credit in Irish higher education and training

The National Framework of Qualifications, which was launched in October 2003, is the basis of a new, more flexible and integrated system of qualifications that focuses on the needs of learners. It has been intended, from the outset, that the design of the Framework would facilitate the development of a national approach to credit accumulation and transfer, based on units of learning. This approach will open up the Framework for learners, as it will enable them to accumulate credit at varying rates of progress - including credit for prior and experiential learning - towards the achievement of awards.

In this context, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland - in partnership with education and training stakeholders, through its Technical Advisory Group on Credit - has been working towards the development of a national approach to credit. A twin track approach has been pursued (one for further education and training, the other for higher education and training) because, at this juncture, the way forward on credit is more clearly signposted for higher education and training within the context of the Bologna process and the general acceptance and use of ECTS. Adopting a consultative and developmental approach, and having considered the domestic and international contexts of the credit agenda, the Authority's Technical Advisory Group on Credit (Higher Education Track) has now produced a set of 'Principles and operational guidelines for the implementation of a national approach to credit in Irish higher education and training'. These 'Principles and operational guidelines' have been adopted by the Authority.

22. Draft Policies and Criteria for the Inclusion of Awards in the National Framework of Qualifications.

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has introduced a National Framework of Qualifications in October 2003. Based on submissions from a range of organisations at the initial stage of developing the National Framework of Qualifications, the Authority has engaged in consultation on the development of policies for the inclusion of professional and international awards in the Framework. As a result of this consultation and subsequent workshops the Authority has published a further consultation paper setting out draft policies and criteria for the inclusion of a range of awards in the Framework. A copy of the consultation paper is available to download and is also available from the Authority.

We are inviting submissions, preferably written, to be made by 19 January 2005 and you are asked to specifically address the questions that are summarised in Appendix 2 of the paper by the Authority. There is a provision below to download a response form to this paper. The Authority would also request that, if possible, submissions would be made electronically. The intention is that all of the submissions made to the Authority will be publicly available on the website. Following the receipt of submissions, the Authority is planning to host a workshop on the issues arising.

21. Annual Accounts 2002

The Authority has published Annual Accounts 2001. These accounts cover the period 01 January 2002 to 31 December 2002.

20. National Approach to the Recognition of International Awards in Ireland

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has published a report setting out the national approach to the recognition of international awards in Ireland.

19. Annual Accounts 2001

The Authority has published Annual Accounts 2001. These accounts cover the period 01 January 2002 to 31 December 2002.

18. Report on the Workshop 'Towards a National Approach to Credit in Higher Education - benefits, principles and operational guidelines'

The Authority hosted a workshop on credit in higher education on Wednesday 28 January 2004 in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin. The purpose of the workshop was to inform and update participants from higher education institutions on the progress being made with regard to the development of a national approach to credit for higher education and training in Ireland. The report on the workshop is available here.

17. Submission of National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to the OECD Higher Education Review

16.The Role of National Qualification Systems in Promoting Lifelong Learning

This document is a Country Background Report, describing and analysing the qualifications system in Ireland. It forms a contribution to the OECD activity on 'The Role of National Qualifications Systems in Promoting Lifelong Learning'. The report was prepared over the period 2002-2003 by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, which participated in the activity on behalf of the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with the support of an Advisory Group representing key stakeholding organisations.

The report is structured in four main components followed by a concluding section. Component 1 contains a survey of the Irish qualifications system. Component 2 analyses the impact of the qualifications system on learners and employers, using available data. Component 3 sets out the pressures and initiatives that drive contemporary developments in the system. Component 4 reports on a small-scale research project, undertaken in connection with the OECD activity, to gather information on how the qualifications system affects the experience of learners at the practical level.

15. Short-cycle awards in context: A study of developments relating to higher education awards’ structures outside the State

The following report is the outcome of a joint study undertaken by the executives of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. It aims to describe in a factual manner the higher education awards’ structures obtaining in a number of countries, with particular emphasis on short-cycle or sub-degree awards, and sets out the educational policy contexts in which these structures operate at present.

14. Corporate Plan

The Authority has launched a Corporate Plan which sets out the plans of the Authority for the next three years. The document also reports on the work of the Authority over the past two and a half years during which time the Authority has been consulting with stakeholders and developing its approach.

13. The National Framework of Qualifications - An Overview

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland have now launched the publication of a national framework of qualifications. The framework will bring an increased clarity to the meaning of each type of qualification allowing qualifications to be compared easily.

12. Determinations for the Outline National Framework of Qualifications

This paper brings together in a single document the determinations made by the Authority over the period October 2002 - April 2003 in relation to the outline framework of qualifications. These determinations were made under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999

Click here in order to view the full determinations document.

Click here in order to view the level indicators.

11. Policies and Criteria for the Establishment of the National Framework of Qualifications

This publication brings together in a single document all of the policies and criteria relating to the outline National Framework of Qualifications that have been determined by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland under section 8 (2)(a) of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 over the period April 2002 to March 2003.

10. Policies, actions and procedures for Access, Transfer and Progression for Learners

9. Making Learning More Attractive - Strengthening the Links with Working Life and Society

The report of the International Seminar on 'Making Learning More Attractive - Strengthening the Links with Working Life and Society' which was held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on 7th and 8th May 2003 is now available. The seminar was hosted by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland on behalf of the Department of Education and Science as part of the European Union's Future Objectives Process for education and training. The report, which was prepared by Yvonne McGivern, Working Knowledge feeds into the working group that is concerned with making learning more attractive and strengthening links with working life, research and society. The seminar dealt with adult learning policies in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; recent developments regarding the national framework of qualifications in Ireland, the role of partnerships in developing and delivering learning in the workplace and developments regarding the validation of informal and non-formal learning. The seminar focussed in particular on the role of partnerships and identified critical elements in the successful design, delivery and attractiveness of learning. The main themes and issues are contained in the report.

8. Report on the workshop on the inclusion of international awards in the national framework of qualifications

The Authority convened a workshop on the Inclusion of International Awards in the National Framework of Qualifications on Friday 2nd May. This followed the discussion paper and submissions process on the inclusion of Professional and International Awards in the Framework. The workshop reviewed the submissions, considered international experience, explored the issues further and considered possible options for the Inclusion of International Awards in the Framework. The report on the workshop is available here.

7. Fees Review -Review of Fees to be Charged by the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council

The Authority has been requested by the Department of Education and Science to conduct a review of the levels of fees charged by the Councils, as is provided for in Section 61 of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, at the earliest possible date in 2003, and to advise the Department accordingly subsequent to such a review.

This paper aims to set out the background to the issue of the fees to be charged by the Councils and analyses the issues involved. It also suggests a number of options for the way forward. The aim is to stimulate debate on the issue in order to assist the Authority in undertaking the tasks requested by the Department.

Submissions are invited on this paper and the Authority would wish that all submissions be made by Friday 13 June 2003.

Submissions are asked to specifically address the questions that are raised in Part III of the paper by the Authority. There is a provision on the Authority's website to download a response form to this paper. The website of the Authority is at www.nqai.ie. All those submitting responses are requested to try and return this form as their submission to the Authority, or as part of their submission. Written submissions are requested. The Authority would also request that, if possible, submissions would be made electronically. The intention is that all of the submissions made to the Authority will be publicly available on the website and may also be distributed by the Authority. In this way the views of each of the various stakeholders can be apparent to other stakeholders.

Following the receipt of submissions, the Authority is planning to host a workshop on the issues.

This paper, together with consultation processes set out above will constitute the review requested by the Department. The aim is that the Authority will then advise the Department on the nature and level of fees which may be charged by the two awards Councils.

6. Report on the Workshop on the inclusion of professional awards in the national framework of qualifications

The report of the workshop on the inclusion of professional awards in the national framework of qualifications, held in Dublin on 11 February, is now available. This workshop was held to review the submissions made to the Authority on this question and to discuss and identify further issues with over 80 representatives of interested parties which included professional bodies, awarding bodies and statutory authorities. The report contains a review of the presentations made at the workshop and the issues and questions that arose in discussions.

5. Surveys of Learners and Employers Perceptions of Awards and Qualifications

The main findings of two surveys of learners and employers on their awareness of and attitudes to existing qualifications and awarding bodies have been published by the Authority. The surveys were carried out in September/October 2002 by Lansdowne Market Research and are compiled in this report. The purpose of the surveys was twofold: to benchmark awareness and attitudes; and to inform the introduction and implementation of the national framework of qualifications.

Some of the key findings are presented below. It should be noted that these are general and do not distinguish between different kinds of awards on the one hand or between different sectors of employment on the other. Some such distinctions are made in the full report. As the survey questionnaires indicate, the breadth of the surveys was wider than the reported findings but the smallness of sample size meant that some of the findings were unreliable and were not therefore included in the report.

4. Towards a National Framework of Qualifications - The Employment Perspective

The Authority has published a report, prepared by Cynthia Deane, Options Consulting, on the employment perspective and the development of the national framework of qualifications. This concerns two focus group meetings of persons who deal directly with issues concerning qualifications and awards in the workplace. Participants shared their experiences and expertise in identifying the issues and benefits that will flow from the establishment of the national framework of qualifications and the key issues for the Authority and the awards bodies in the next stages of implementing and communicating the framework.

3. Frameworks of Qualifications - A Review of Developments Outside the State

This paper reviews approaches to the task of developing frameworks of qualifications. It presents current international policy developments and summarises and compares the existing frameworks in twelve jurisdictions. Please note that, in this field, policies are continually evolving. This paper represents our summary of the state of play in Spring 2002. This paper will not be formally published in a hardcopy version. The paper may be freely copied, with appropriate attribution. It may be cited as,
"Frameworks of qualifications: A review of developments outside the State. Dublin: National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, 2002.

2. Towards a National Framework of Qualifications - 'Inclusion of Professional and International Awards'

On Tuesday 14th May, 2002 the National Qualifications Authority published a discussion paper Towards a National Framework of Qualifications -
Inclusion of Professional and International Awards.

1. Towards a National Framework of Qualifications - A Discussion Document

On Thursday 29th November, 2001 the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland launched it's first publication titled - Towards a National Framework of Qualifications - A Discussion Document.