The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new way of recognising 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 year, it will completely replace the current NQF (National Qualifications Framework) by January 2011. The full implmetation proposals are due out around October 2008, this will follow the finalised regulatory requirements which we expect at the end of August 2008. There will be a 'mixed economy' of both QCF and NQF qualifications until December 2010.

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 the Learner Achievement Records and management of the IT process required for unit accreditation 

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

Centre support events...
Book on to one of our events to discuss in person how the changes will impact on your centre

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

ILM Centres

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