QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS / THREE-CYCLE SYSTEM

Qualifications frameworks describe the qualifications of an education system and how they interlink.
National qualifications frameworks describe what learners should know, understand and be able to do on the basis of a given qualification as well as how learners can move from one qualification to another within a system.

National qualifications frameworks are developed to be compatible with the overarching framework of qualifications of the European Higher Education Area, which was adopted in 2005 and consists of three cycles (e.g. bachelor, master, doctorate). The overarching framework makes recognition of qualifications easier since specific qualifications can be related to a common framework.

The framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area - May 2005

For more details read the 2005 background report and visit the section about qualifications frameworks in the European Higher Education Area in 2007-2009. This section contains important information on qualifications frameworks, which have become an essential instrument in developing the European Higher Education Area, and provides updates on relevant events and developments at European, regional or national level.

A Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area 2005

For more information on the third cycle, read our section on doctoral education in 2007-2009.

Qualifications Frameworks in the EHEA

• Introduction
• Overarching frameworks
• National Qualifications Frameworks
• Glossary
• Sources and resources
• Bologna Coordination Group for Qualifications Frameworks 2007-2009
• Report on Qualifications Frameworks 2009
• Thematic Peer Group A on Qualifications Frameworks 2018-2020

Network of National Correspondents for Qualifications Frameworks (QF-EHEA)

Terms of Reference for the Network of National Correspondents for Qualifications Frameworks (QF-EHEA)

Updates from the EHEA Network to the BFUG

BFUG Meeting 65 Bucharest April 2019 (under item 7 Update from the EHEA Network of National Qualification Frameworks Correspondents)

BFUG Meeting 67 Helsinki November 2019 (under item 5.2 EHEA Network on NQF Correspondents)

BFUG Meeting 71, online, hosted by Croatia June 2020 (under item 6.4 EHEA Network on NQF Correspondents)

BFUG Meeting 73, online, hosted by Germany September 2020 (under item 6.6 EHEA Network on NQF Correspondents)

National Correspondents for Qualifications Frameworks Meeting, online, 11 September 2020

• Documents of the Meeting

National Correspondents for Qualifications Frameworks Meeting, online, 10 September 2021

Documents of the Meeting

• Agenda of the meeting
• NQF Network ToR
• Micro-credentials in EHEA
• Micro-credentials within EHEA: Background study
• EUA Remarks on micro-credentials
• The Council of Europe Reference Framework for Competences for Democratic Culture

National Correspondents for Qualifications Frameworks Meeting, Strasbourg, 2 September 2022

• Documents of the Meeting