QAA publishes second edition of The framework for higher education qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has announced the publication of the second edition of The framework for higher education qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
The FHEQ describes the achievement represented by higher education qualifications and applies to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards (other than honorary degrees and higher doctorates) granted by a higher education institutions in the exercise of its degree awarding powers
The second edition has incorporated responses from a formal consultation which took place between April and June this year.
Of note in the new edition are:
- the retitling of the qualifications levels from Certificate, Intermediate, Honours, Master’s and Doctoral to level 4.5.6.7.and 8
- relocation of the ordinary bachelor’s degree from level 5 to level 6
- inclusion of reference to the cycles of the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area and their correspondence to the FHEQ levels
- the text of the qualifications descriptors remains unchanged.
At the request of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland , QAA has begun the self-certification of the second edition of the FHEQ against the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area, which is an important part of the Bologna Process. It is anticipated that the self-certification exercise will be completed by November 2008.
Ends
For further information please contact Katie Sharrock, Communications on 01452 557074 or k.sharrock@qaa.ac.uk
Notes to editors
1 The second edition of The framework for higher education qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) is available at www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/EWNI08/FHEQ08.pdf
2 We have also published Higher education credit framework for England: guidance on academic credit arrangements in higher education in England. Full details at www.qaa.ac.uk/england/credit
3 QAA safeguards the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications, and informs and encourages continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education across the UK. For more information visit www.qaa.ac.uk
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