Kwalificatiemapping

Kwalificatiemapping (qualification mapping) is the systematic process of comparing and aligning qualifications, credentials, and learning outcomes across different qualification frameworks, educational systems, or job standards. The goal is to establish equivalence, facilitate recognition and credit transfer, and support mobility for learners and workers. Mapping typically considers what a qualification enables a holder to know, do, and demonstrate, and how these aspects align with a reference framework or set of professional standards.

Common elements of kwalificatiemapping include the articulation of learning outcomes, the level descriptors of a national or regional qualifications framework (such as knowledge, skills, and competences), and a mapping matrix that links the qualification’s components to the target framework. The process generally involves scoping the mapping, selecting an appropriate framework, collecting qualification documentation, performing the alignment, validating results with subject matter and sector stakeholders, and producing a formal mapping report with quality assurance measures. Ongoing governance is often required to keep mappings up to date as frameworks evolve.

Applications of kwalificatiemapping span education, professional regulation, and human resources. It supports recognition of prior learning, credit transfer for cross-border study, and transparent job qualifications for recruiters. In Europe, mapping to frameworks like the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a common reference, enabling comparability across countries and sectors. Challenges include language differences, variations in descriptors, and maintaining up‑to‑date mappings amid changes in frameworks and occupations. Benefits include improved transparency, easier mobility, and more consistent curriculum design and accreditation.