The number of qualifications available in the UK today is far greater than it was twenty years ago. This is a good thing in that it offers learners and employers a greater range of choice to fit their abilities and needs, but it can be confusing.  

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCQ) is the guardian of standards in education and training. With partners in Wales (ACCAC), Northern Ireland (CCEA) and Scotland (Scottish Qualifications Authority), a coherent and transparent national frame of qualifications is being developed to guarantee quality and standards, meeting the full range of needs of learners and those who provide education, employment and training.  

Please see our Links Page for contact details for Qualifications Authorities.  

The National Qualifications Framework has been set up to help compare vocational and general qualifications and understand what the different levels mean. It is only a guide: different qualifications measure different things in different ways, so they are not directly comparable.