European Qualification Framework | ERI SEE

European Qualifications' Framework – National qualification frameworks in SEE countries

The EHEA Framework was adopted by Ministers of the Bologna Process in May 2005. It covers higher education qualifications and is valid for all 46 members of the European Higher Education Area, whether these are members of the European Union or not. It provides the framework within which the national qualifications frameworks in these 46 countries will be developed as far as their higher education qualifications are concerned, and it represents the “face” of European higher education qualifications towards the rest of the world.

The European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF) was formally adopted by the European Union in April 2008. It covers all levels of education and is valid for EU countries, EU accession countries and countries of the European Economic Area.

It is important to underline that while the wording of the EQF is not identical to that of the EHEA Framework, there are no major differences between the two, and that it is perfectly possible to develop national qualifications framework that are compatible with the EQF as well as with the EHEA Framework. This was recognized by Ministers in the London Communiqué (2007):

“We are satisfied that national qualifications frameworks compatible with the overarching Framework for Qualifications of the EHEA will also be compatible with the proposal from the European Commission on a European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.
We see the overarching Framework for Qualifications of the EHEA, which we agreed in Bergen, as a central element of the promotion of European higher education in a global context.”

• The development of national qualifications frameworks in Europe (August 2010)

EQF

• The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF)
• ETF-A review of international and national developments in the use of qualifications frameworks(2006)
• Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council(April 2008) on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning
• The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (brochure)
• The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (leaflet)
• Added value of national qualifications frameworks in implementing the EQF

EHEA Framework

• Synthesis of National Qualifications Frameworks Reports (2009) 
• EC-Synthesis of National Qualifications Frameworks Reports (2009)
• Report on Qualifications Frameworks (2009)
• Report on the Analysis of the 2007 National Action Plans for Recognition
• A Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area
  (Report of the Bologna Working Group on Qualification Frameworks, 2005)
• The framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area
• UNESCO-The Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (1997)

EHEA Framework and Self-certification Process

• EHEA Framework and Self-certification Process: Introduction

Self-certification reports submitted to the Bologna Secretariat and/or the Council of Europe

1. Denmark, November 2009
2. The Netherlands, February 2009 
3. Belgium/Flemish Community, February 2009
4. Germany, January 2009
5. England, Wales and Northern Ireland, February 2009
6. Scotland, December 2006
7. Ireland, November 2006

Examples of National Qualification Frameworks

1. Austria (in German)
2. Belgium/Flemmish Community
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Ireland
6. Netherlands
7. Romania
8. Switzerland
9. United Kingdom

National Qualification Frameworks outside the EHEA

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Malaysia
4. New Zealand
5. South Africa