A qualification shows employers, teachers, learners or the users of the qualifications what you have learnt and what you can do as a result of that learning.
Qualification Levels are defined as an indication of the relative demand, complexity and/or depth of achievement, and/or the learner’s autonomy, represented by a qualification. It also allows you to see how you can progress from one level to another.
The qualification name — Award, Certificate or Diploma — represents the size of a qualification, not how difficult it is. To understand how difficult a unit or qualification is, it might be helpful to know that GCSEs (grades A* to C) are equivalent in challenge to level 2, A levels to level 3, and a PhD to level 8.
There are three sizes of Qualifications in Credit Framework
• Award – 1 to 12 credits
• Certificate – 13 to 36 credits
• Diploma – 37 credits and more
Cambridge Management and Leadership School is offering qualifications accredited to the UK (England) National Qualifications Framework (NQF)/Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
| Levels at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England | Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level UK | Examples of Cambridge Management and Leadership School courses |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Doctorate Degree | Level 8 Diploma |
| 7 | Master Degree MA/MSC/MBA Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) | Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate Level 7 Diploma Level 7 Certificate Level 7 Award |
| 6 | Bachelor Degree (Hons) – Year 3 | Level 6 Graduate Diploma Level 7 Graduate Integrated Diploma Level 6 Diploma Level 6 Certificate Level 6 Award |
| 5 | Bachelor Degree – Year 2 | Level 5 Diploma Level 5 Advanced Diploma |
| 4 | Bachelor Degree – Year 1 | Level 4 Diploma Level 4 Diploma Level 4 Certificate |
| 3 | A Level / Higher Secondary School Certificate (overseas) | Level 3 Diploma Level 3 Certificate Level 3 Award |
| 2 | O Level / Secondary School Certificate (overseas) | Level 2 Diploma in Business and Management |
