QCF resources
Here are a range of useful resources on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
We encourage you to also make use of the interactive guides to the QCF, in the QCF section of the website.
QCF introduction - This general introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits.
Download - QCF introduction (PDF)
A learner's guide to the QCF - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for learners.
Download - A learner's guide to the QCF (PDF)
QCF introduction for employers - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for employers.
Download - QCF introduction for employers (PDF)
QCF introduction for awarding organisations - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for awarding organisations.
Download - QCF introduction for awarding organisations (PDF)
QCF introduction for sector skills councils, standard setting bodies and the education sector - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for sector skills councils, standard setting bodies and the wider education sector.
Download - QCF introduction for sector skills councils, standard setting bodies and the education sector (PDF)
QCF introduction for information, advice and guidance practitioners - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for information, advice and guidance practitioners.
Download - QCF introduction for information, advice and guidance practitioners (PDF)
QCF introduction for higher education institutions - This introductory leaflet provides an overview of how the QCF works and its key benefits for higher education institutions.
Download - QCF introduction for higher education institutions (PDF)
The European Qualifications Framework and the QCF - This leaflet introduces the European Qualifications Framework and how it relates to the QCF.
Download - The European Qualifications Framework and the QCF (PDF)
An employer's guide to using the QCF - This leaflet helps employers understand how they can use the QCF.
Download - An employer's guide to using the QCF (PDF)
A learning provider's guide to using the QCF - This leaflet helps learning providers understand how they can use the QCF.
Download - A learning provider's guide to using the QCF (PDF)
Guidance for using unit level descriptors within the QCF - This booklet gives advice on QCF level descriptors and how to use them for developing units and qualifications, to position them at the right level.
Download - Guidance for using unit level descriptors within the QCF (PDF)
Guidelines for writing credit-based units of assessment for the QCF - This booklet helps submitting organisations interpret and apply the regulatory arrangements when developing and writing units for the QCF.
Download - Guidelines for writing credit-based units of assessment for the QCF (PDF)
Guidance for developing rules of combination for the QCF - This booklet helps those designing qualifications in the QCF. It includes the process to follow and examples of how to follow the standard format when developing rules of combination.
Download - Guidance for developing rules of combination for the QCF (PDF)
Claiming credit: guidance on the recognition of prior learning within the QCF - This booklet is designed for SSCs, awarding organisations, providers and employers that would like to recognise prior learning through the award of credit in the QCF.
Download - Claiming credit: guidance on the recognition of prior learning within the QCF (PDF)
Developing units and qualifications for occupational competence in the QCF - This report offers additional guidance to SSCs and SSBs on developing units of assessment and rules of combination.
Download - Developing units and qualifications for occupational competence in the QCF (PDF)
QCF glossary of terms - The definitive glossary of terms for the QCF.
Download - QCF glossary of terms (PDF)
Credits from equivalent units within the QCF - This report provides guidance for sector skills councils, awarding organisations and providers on how to identify equivalent units.
Download - Credits from equivalent units within the QCF (PDF)
Exemptions in the Qualifications and Credit Framework - This report helps sector skills councils, awarding organisations and providers understand the function of exemption in the QCF.
Download - Exemptions in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (PDF)
The quality and standardisation of units in the QCF - This report offers additional guidance for organisations writing units in the QCF.
Download - The quality and standardisation of units in the QCF (PDF)
SSC approvals process - This guidance summarises the way that sector skills councils approve vocational qualifications.
Download - SSC approvals process (PDF)
Protocol for determining level and credit value for units in the QCF - This guidance helps organisations decide the level and credit value of units.
Download - Protocol for determining level and credit value for units in the QCF (PDF)
A) Guidance on combining knowledge and skills in units of competence-based vocational qualifications in the QCF
and
B) Combining knowledge and skills in units of competence-based vocational qualifications in the QCF
This guidance and report explores ways in which knowledge and skills can be combined in QCF units and qualifications.
Download - Guidance on combining knowledge and skills in units of competence-based vocational qualifications in the QCF
(PDF)
Download - Combining knowledge and skills in units of competence-based vocational qualifications in the QCF (PDF)
UK EQF report - This 140-page report sets out how the qualifications frameworks in the UK are referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
Download - UK EQF report (PDF)
Linking the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) levels to the European Qualifications Framework.
Download - Linking the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) levels to the European Qualifications Framework (PDF)
Final report on the referencing of the QCF to the EQF - This report explains the process and criteria used to understand the relationship between the QCF and the EQF. It also specifies the final referencing of QCF levels to ECF levels.
Download - Final report on the referencing of the QCF to the EQF (PDF)
QCF and higher education: working together to benefit learners - This publication provides information on how the QCF links with higher education and explores the opportunities the QCF will bring.
Download - QCF and higher education: working together to benefit learners (PDF)
Implementing the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) - Nine provider case studies
Download - Implementing the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) - Nine provider case studies
Frequently asked questions about the Qualifications and Credit Framework - For higher education admissions staff
Download - Frequently asked questions about the Qualifications and Credit Framework - For higher education admissions staff
Grading qualifications in the QCF
Download - Grading qualifications in the QCF
Key questions about assessment in the QCF
Download - Key questions about assessment in the QCF
QCF Unit Sampling Project
Download: QCF Unit Sampling Project
