How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications

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How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications Higher learning at work series www.higherlearningatwork.org

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qualifications at Level 5 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

The Framework was published in 2008 by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and is available at: www.qaa.ac.uk/ assuringstandardsandquality/qualifications/pages/default.aspx The FHEQ states that Level 5 qualifications (including Foundation degrees) are awarded to students who have demonstrated: yy knowledge and critical understanding of the wellestablished principles of their area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have developed

yy ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the

context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context

yy knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in the subject(s) relevant to the named award, and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in the field of study

yy an understanding of the limits of their knowledge, and how this

influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.

The FHEQ states that, typically, holders of a Level 5 qualification (including a Foundation degree) will be able to: yy use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis

yy communicate information, arguments and analysis effectively and in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively

yy undertake further training, develop existing skills and

acquire new competences that will enable them to assume significant responsibility within organisations.

The FHEQ states that holders of a Level 5 qualification will have: yy The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision making.

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“Qualification levels can seem complicated, but the skills you gain at Levels 5 and 6 are the high level skills that employers want – communication, problem solving, decision making and others.”

How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications

Foundation degrees are higher education

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CPD Professional qualifications

Postgraduate degree

FOUNDATION DEGREE

Honours degree Yr 3 Yr 2 Yr 1

NVQ3

Advanced Apprenticeship

Advanced Diploma

A-Level

NVQ2

Apprenticeship

Higher Diploma

GCSE A*-C

NVQ1

Young Apprenticeship

Foundation Diploma

GCSE D-G

Qualifications frameworks in the UK are changing The relationship between the FHEQ and the QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) is made clear in the ‘Education and Learning’ section of the Directgov website www.direct.gov.uk under the heading ‘Qualifications explained: what the different levels mean’. There is also a section on ‘Routes into university and higher education’. There are currently eight levels applicable to further and higher education.

FHEQ Level

Typical higher education qualifications within each level

8

Doctoral degrees (e.g. PhD/DPhil, EdD, DBA, DClinPsy)

7

Master’s degrees (e.g. MPhil, MLitt, MA, MSc, MRes), integrated master’s degrees (e.g. MEng, MChem, MPhys, MPharm), postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates

6

Bachelors degrees with honours (e.g. BA/BSc (Hons), bachelors degrees, graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

5

Foundation degrees, diplomas of higher education, higher national diplomas

4

Higher national certificates, certificates of higher education

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“Adults may not need the same Level 3 qualifications as young people to enter HE – work and life experience counts!”

How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications

How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications

Published by unionlearn Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS 020 7636 4030 www.unionlearn.org.uk

This document was originally produced by fdf – innovating workforce development.

A new framework, the QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework), is being introduced for England, Wales and Northern Ireland as part of a major reform of the qualifications system. It is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications and aims to simplify the system and make qualifications more relevant to the needs of employers and more flexible and accessible for learners. It is intended that the QCF will be aligned with the FHEQ so that learners will be able to build up credit to help them to enter Foundation degree courses in a different way.

The qualifications and credit framework A Guide to the QCF, Explaining the Qualifications and Credit Framework is available to download at www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-assessments 8 7 6 5

Challenge

4 3 2 1 Entry level

Award

1–12 credits

Certificate 13–36 credits

Size

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Diploma 36+ credits

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