What Do Qualification Levels Mean?

In the UK, most qualifications taken through work, school, college or university, fit into one of nine levels (12 in Scotland). The higher the level, the harder the qualification. The levels are based on the standards of knowledge, skill and competence needed for each qualification. Qualifications at the same level can be very different in terms of content and the length of time they take to complete.

Knowing about the different levels means that you can compare qualifications and identify what you need for your chosen career.

Four qualifications frameworks are in use within the UK:

• Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland
• Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
• Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)

Qualification levels overview:

• Entry: Basic knowledge and skills, entry-level awards
• Level 1: GCSEs D-G, Level 1 awards, NVQs
• Level 2: GCSEs A*-C, Intermediate apprenticeships, Level 2 diplomas
• Level 3: A Levels, Access to HE diploma, BTEC Nationals
• Level 4: HNCs, CertHE, NVQs, Higher apprenticeships
• Level 5: HNDs, Foundation degrees, DipHE
• Level 6: Bachelor’s degrees, Graduate diplomas
• Level 7: Master’s degrees, PGCEs
• Level 8: Doctoral degrees

These levels help structure the UK's education and training system and are widely used by employers and education providers to determine equivalency and progression routes.