EQF - the European Qualifications Framework

eumesta has been developing and proposing standards and standardised procedures in line with the European Qualification Framework - EQF, which will be presented for adoption to the EU Commission in 2007.

The EQF will provide a common language to describe qualifications which will help member states, employers and individuals to compare qualifications across the EU’s diverse education and training systems. The adoption of the proposal follows almost two years of consultation across Europe. The EQF proposal is available in the download area.  

The core element of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a set of eight reference levels of increasing proficiency. Each of the eight levels is defined by a set of three descriptors indicating the learning outcomes relevant to qualifications at that level. These three descriptors are defined as Knowledge, Skills and Competence. Thus the EQF presents a paradigmatic shift from a learning input to learning outcome approach. Qualifications are described independently from where, when and how acquired.

Shifting the focus to learning outcomes, the EQF:

• supports a better match between the needs of the labour market and offerings of education and training providers;
• facilitates the validation of non-formal and informal learning;
• facilitates the transfer and use of qualifications across different countries and education/training systems.
• enables individual citizens to judge the relative value of qualifications.
• improves employers’ ability to judge the profile, content and relevance of qualifications on offer in the labour market.
• is a prerequisite and condition for transfer and accumulation of qualifications.

As an instrument for the promotion of lifelong learning, the EQF encompasses general and adult education, vocational education and training, as well as higher education. The eight levels cover the entire span of qualifications from those achieved at the end of compulsory education to those awarded at the highest level of academic and professional or vocational education and training.