The structure, purpose and outcomes of international qualifications vary widely. No direct equivalence between awards is possible; UK ENIC instead focuses on comparisons.
Once UK ENIC reaches a recognition decision about the comparable UK level of an international qualification, we then identify the closest UK counterpart qualification(s).
Both comparable levels and comparable qualifications are referenced in our Statements of Comparability.
The UK ENIC Band Framework © is a hierarchical set of outcomes, with 16 Bands, designed to provide maximum differentiation and detail in comparing qualifications.
The Bands reference existing qualifications in the UK and also the established qualification frameworks. This is shown in the table below.
The Band Framework therefore acts as a translation mechanism for international qualifications – illustrating comparable level, and the types of UK qualification to which the international award best compares.
Academic
UK Framework Levels
|
RQF Entry Levels 1-2 / SCQF Levels 1-2 / CQFW Entry Levels 1-2
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
RQF/CQFW Entry level 1-2 Certificates / Functional Skills Awards / SQA National 1-2 Courses / SQA Awards at SCQF level 1-2
|
Vocational
UK Framework Levels
|
RQF Entry Levels 1-2 / SCQF Levels 1-2 / CQFW Entry Levels 1-2
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
RQF/CQFW Entry Level 1-2 Award/Certificate/Diploma / SQA National Certificate at SCQF level 2 / SQA National Progression Award at SCQF level 2
|
Occupational
UK Framework Levels
|
RQF Entry Levels 1-3 / SCQF Levels 1-3 / CQFW Entry Levels 1-3
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
RQF/CQFW Entry Level 1-3 Award/Certificate/Diploma / SQA National Certificate at SCQF level 1-3 / SQA National Progression Award at SCQF level 1-3
|
Framework
UK Framework Levels
|
RQF Entry Levels 1-3 / SCQF Levels 1-3 / CQFW Entry Levels 1-3
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
No direct comparison
|
[For qualifications lower in standard, ‘No Comparability’ statement applies.]
Academic
UK Framework Levels
|
N/A
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
Post Doctoral award (e.g. DD, LLD, LittD, MedScD, SD)
|
No Comparability
UK Framework Levels
|
N/A
|
Comparable UK Qualification(s)
|
No Comparability
|
Footnotes
[1] A Scottish National 5 grade D is also considered a SCQF Level 5 qualification.
[2] This level also encompasses the Scottish Master's (Ordinary) degrees as awarded at Scottish Ancient Universities.
[3] This level also encompasses the Scottish Master's (Honours) degree standard as awarded at Scottish Ancient universities and the Master of Arts (Honours) awarded by Oxford and Cambridge Universities.