Useful Links

Qualifications Recognition www.qualrec.ie

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) www.QQI.ie
National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) www.nfq.ie
ENIC-NARIC (European Network of Information Centres/
National Academic Recognition Information Centres)
www.enic-naric.net
European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning
(EQF) www.ec.europa.eu/eqf/home_en.htm
Qualifications Framework for the European Higher
Education Area (QF-EHEA) or ‘Bologna’ Framework
www.ehea.info/members.aspx
Department of Education and Skills www.education.ie Qualifications
Recognition

Qualifications Recognition

Recognising Foreign
Qualifications in
Ireland

Qualifications Recognition
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI),
26/27 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: (01) 905 8100
January 2014

www.qualrec.ie
Qualifications Recognition – www.qualrec.ie
This leaflet aims to provide information on the role of
Qualifications Recognition in the recognition of foreign
qualifications in Ireland.
A foreign qualification is one which is awarded outside of the
Irish State. If you hold a foreign qualification or need advice on
the academic recognition of foreign qualifications,
Qualifications Recognition can help.
Recognition of qualifications can be categorised as follows:
• Recognition of qualifications for academic purposes, i.e. for
access to further learning and for access to unregulated
professions.
• Recognition of qualifications for the purpose of access to
regulated professions.
Understanding the Irish National
Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system
of ten levels designed to include all learning from the very
initial stages to the most advanced. Different award-types
are available to cater for all learning. Major Awards are the
main class of award made at a level, for example, the
Leaving Certificate, the Advanced Certificate or the Honours
Bachelor Degree. There are 16 major awards in the
Framework which can be seen in the ‘fan diagram’ over
page. Further details are available at www.nfq.ie
The International Dimension
Over-arching Qualifications Frameworks

Qualifications Recognition, based at Quality and Qualifications The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong
Ireland (QQI), provides advice on the academic recognition of Learning (EQF) www.ec.europa.eu/
foreign qualifications which can be used for the purpose of eqf/home_en.htm is an over-arching Framework which acts
access to employment and/or further study. Please note that as a translation device, making it easier to
access decisions rest with a potential compare further, higher and school
employer or education institution. qualifications across Europe. The
higher education levels of the EQF
Qualifications Recognition uses
(6-8) are compatible with the cycles
Ireland’s National Framework of
of the Qualifications Framework for
Qualifications (NFQ) to provide
the European Higher Education Area
academic recognition advice on
(QF-EHEA) or the ‘Bologna’ Framework -
foreign qualifications. The service
www.ehea.info/members.aspx (Europe
aims to compare a foreign
qualification to a
For more information and beyond). Ireland verified the
compatibility of its NFQ to the Bologna
qualification that is placed
at a particular level on the
and recognition advice Framework in 2006 and to the EQF in
2009.
NFQ. The advice provided
helps put the foreign
please visit
qualification in the
context of the Irish www.qualrec.ie
education system.
The major awards of the NFQ are set out below, together ENIC-NARIC Network and qualifications systems in specific countries. These
with confirmation on alignment to the ‘Bologna’ Framework profiles are designed to help employers, institutions and
Qualifications Recognition acts as the Irish centre in an
and referencing to the EQF: individuals understand foreign qualifications and check
international network known as ENIC-NARIC (European
their comparability in Ireland.
Network of Information Centres / National Academic
• Irish Country Education Profile: a detailed description of
EQF Level EHEA National NFQ Major Recognition Information Centres). This Network shares
the Irish education and training system is available to
Framework Framework of Award-Types information on qualifications and education systems around
help understand recognition advice provided.
(Bologna) Qualifications the world. Further information and contact details for each
(NFQ) Level centre are available at www.enic-naric.net
Professional Recognition
EQF Level 1 NFQ Level 1 Level 1 Certificate
How does Qualifications Recognition work? There are a number of professions which are regulated in
NFQ Level 2 Level 2 Certificate Ireland. Examples of such professions include teaching,
The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) represents the main
medicine and physiotherapy. Access to regulated professions
EQF Level 2 NFQ Level 3 Level 3 Certificate; international legal text aimed at helping achieve fair
is regulated by law and in order to work in that profession in
Junior Certificate recognition of qualifications in the European Region. Ireland
Ireland, you need the approval of the designated competent
ratified the Convention in 2004 and Qualifications
EQF Level 3 NFQ Level 4 Level 4 Certificate; authority. For more information on professional recognition
Recognition aims to provide fair recognition for all foreign
Leaving Certificate and relevant contact details please see
qualifications through the implementation of LRC guidelines
www.qualrec.ie/professional-recognition.html
EQF Level 4 NFQ Level 5 Level 5 Certificate; and best practice. The text of the LRC with further information
Leaving Certificate is available at www.enic-naric.net

Criteria used by Qualifications Recognition to assess

EQF Level 5 NFQ Level 6 Advanced
comparability of foreign qualifications include the following
Certificate
where applicable:
Short Cycle Higher Certificate
• Status of the awarding body in the country of origin
within First
Cycle • Access requirements
• Progression opportunities
EQF Level 6 First Cycle NFQ Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor
• Purpose for which assessment is sought
Degree
• Level on national Qualifications Framework
NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor • Referencing to over-arching Qualifications Frameworks
Degree; Higher
• Learning outcomes
Diploma
• Credits/Volume of learning
EQF Level 7 Second Cycle NFQ Level 9 Masters Degree;
Post-Graduate
Diploma Features on the Qualifications Recognition
website – www.qualrec.ie
EQF Level 8 Third Cycle NFQ Level 10 Doctoral Degree;
Higher Doctorate • International Qualifications Database: work is ongoing on
preparing country profiles which describe the education
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AWARDING BODIES AWARDS IN THE FRAMEWORK

FETAC - awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
SEC - State Examinations Commission (Department of Education and Skills)
HETAC - awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
IoT - Institutes of Technology
DIT - Dublin Institute of Technology
Universities
There are four types of award in the National Framework of Qualifications:
Major Awards: named in the outer rings, are the principal class of awards made at a level
Minor Awards: are for partial completion of the outcomes for a Major Award
Supplemental Awards: are for learning that is additional to a Major Award
Special Purpose Awards: are for relatively narrow or purpose-specific achievement

For further Information consult: www.nfq.ie www.QQI.ie © QQI 2012