National Qualifications Framework/European Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a single reference tool to classify all the qualifications produced in the national educational and training system.

The NQF comprises 8 Qualification Levels, each one defined by a set of indicators that specify the learning outcomes corresponding to the qualifications at that level in terms of Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes.

The NQF adopts the qualification levels and respective descriptors of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

The EQF makes it possible to match the different national qualifications systems to a single reference framework, acting as a translation device and comparison of qualification levels in different countries.

Goals of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

The goals of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), in force since the 1st of October of 2010, are:

● To integrate and articulate, within a single framework, the qualifications produced within the different subsystems of education and training - basic, secondary and higher education, and regardless of the access routes.

● To value and consider skills acquired in non-formal and informal learning contexts.

● To improve the readability, transparency and comparability of qualifications in the education and training system and in the labour market.

Goals of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) was established in 2008 by a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council, in the meantime repealed in 2017 by a Council Recommendation, and aims in particular to:

● Make qualifications clearer and more comprehensible between different systems.

● Promote citizens' mobility.

● Facilitate lifelong learning.

National Coordination for EQF implementation

The National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education, I.P. (ANQEP), is the National Coordination Point for the implementation of the EQF, in articulation with the Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) with regard to levels 5 to 8 of the structure of the NQF.

Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA)

The qualifications of the NQF and the EQF obtained in Higher Education also correspond to the qualifications of the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA), since, as a participant of that Area, Portugal has committed itself to making the necessary alignment.

Thus, the implementation of the QF-EHEA had begun in 2005, with the launching of the bases for the implementation of the Bologna Process, accompanied by a set of general legal reforms of the Portuguese higher education system, until its final implementation in the 2009-2010 school year.

A generic qualifications framework was then established, organized into three cycles of study, and a short cycle linked to or within the 1st cycle, as well as generic qualification descriptors for each cycle, based on acquired competences, as well as the structure of the 1st and 2nd cycles of studies in terms of ECTS credit intervals.

Referencing process of the NQF to the EQF

The referencing process of the NQF for Higher Education in Portugal to the QF-EHEA was completed in 2011, following a report which was certified by the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education.

The referencing process of all levels of the Portuguese NQF to the EQF levels was also completed in 2011, after submission and approval of the referencing report by the EQF Advisory Group.

Thus, the referencing report consists of two documents:

● One establishing the referencing of levels 1 to 5 of the NQF to the EQF;

● Another one that refers to the qualifications promoted in Higher Education - levels 5 to 8 of the NQF, to the EQF, and which correspond to the referencing to the QF-EHEA.

The referencing of the national qualification levels to the EQF levels will allow all certificates and diplomas issued to include an explicit EQF level reference, which should be ensured in higher education by the Diploma Supplement.

Legislation

Ministerial Order no. 782/2009, of the 23rd of July
Portaria nº 782/2009, de 23rd of July
Governs the National Qualifications Framework and sets out the descriptors for defining the national qualifications levels

Documents

Recommendation EQF of the Council 2017

Recommendation of the Council, of 22 May 2017, on the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning and repealing the recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008

Recommendation EQF of the European Parliament and of the Council 2008

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 23 April 2008, on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning

Brochure European Qualifications Framework

Brochure with information on the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning

Referencing report of Higher Education to the QF-EHEA

Referencing report of Portuguese Higher Education qualifications to the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area

Certificação da referenciação/Referencing certification

Certificação do relatório de referenciação das qualificações do Ensino Superior português às do Quadro de Qualificações do Espaço Europeu do Ensino Superior/Certification of the referencing report of the qualifications of the Portuguese Higher Education to those of the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area

Referencing report of the NQF to the EQF

Referencing report of all levels of qualifications of the National Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework