The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is the new way of recognising vocational achievement - through the award of credit for units and qualifications - across England and Northern Ireland and Wales. In Wales the QCF is being recognised as part of the larger Credit and Qualifications Framework Wales (CQFW). Parties are looking for articulation with the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The QCF provides more choice and flexible routes to gaining full qualifications, enabling qualifications and career progression to be achieved in smaller steps. 

The QCF is now live, with the full implementation to be phased in over the next 18 months. It will completely replace the current NQF (National Qualifications Framework) by January 2011. Full  proposals and timelines are due soon, following the QCF regulatory arrangements which were released at end of August 2008.

There will be a 'mixed economy' of both QCF and NQF qualification registrations until December 2010. The majority of qualifications will migrate sometime during the 2009/2010 academic year.

Want to know more?

About credit frameworks...
Find out more about the background to the credit frameworks across the UK

Opportunities within the QCF...
Find out about the benefits created by the implementation of the QCF

Award, Certificate or Diploma?
Find out more about the new structure and naming of qualifications for the QCF

QCF IT...
Find out about ULNS, learner achievement records and  IT processes required for QCF IT 

QCF FAQs...
Still got questions we haven't answered? These helpful FAQs should provide you with the answers you're looking for

Credit rated qualifications...
Find out what qualifications we have developed for the tests and trials and beyond

Foundation Learning Tier (FLT)...
Find out more about the new progression pathways at entry level and level 1

ILM Centres

Find out all about the migration of ILM qualifications to the QCF at
https://www.i-l-m.com/centres/2961.aspx.