The EQF was established as a common European reference framework to compare national qualifications systems and frameworks and to improve their transparency.
EU countries have developed National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) to bring together qualifications from different subsystems, learning settings, and types of institutions within a single framework.
Modern NQFs are based on the learning outcomes approach. This means that qualifications are described in terms of what a person:
knows;
understands;
is able to do after completing a learning programme.
Learning outcomes are the basis for describing the levels of both the NQFs and the EQF.
Through the EQF, countries can:
compare the levels of their NQFs with the EQF;
make qualifications easier to understand;
support citizens' mobility;
promote lifelong learning.
An important step is the referencing process, during which countries compare the levels of their NQFs with the levels of the EQF. Once this process is completed, countries can indicate the EQF level on qualification and education documents and connect their qualifications registers to European digital platforms through Europass.
Learning outcomes-based qualifications frameworks contribute to:
better access to education;
inclusion;
professional development;
mobility;
recognition of qualifications across countries.
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