EQF

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a European reference framework that links national qualifications systems to each other and to the wider European education and training landscape. Established by the European Parliament and the Council, the EQF aims to enhance transparency, comparability, and recognition of qualifications across Europe, supporting mobility, lifelong learning, and employability.

The EQF defines eight learning outcomes-based levels (levels 1 through 8). Each level is described in terms of knowledge, skills, and competence, with learners expected to progress from basic to advanced capabilities as they move up the levels. The descriptors emphasize what a learner can know, understand, and be able to do, rather than the specific means by which they learned it.

The EQF is a framework, not a qualification itself. National qualification frameworks (NQFs) map their own qualifications to the EQF levels, creating a common reference point for comparing qualifications across countries. This national referencing enables easier recognition of qualifications by employers, education institutions, and authorities throughout Europe and supports the transparency of education and training systems.

The EQF is linked to other European instruments, notably the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and the broader European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL). National frameworks align to the EQF, and levels 6–8 broadly correspond to higher education qualifications up to doctoral degrees, while lower levels cover general or vocational education.

Some criticisms point to variability in how countries implement and reference their frameworks, which can complicate direct comparisons. Nevertheless, the EQF remains a central tool for harmonizing qualifications and promoting lifelong learning across Europe.