EQF

The European Qualification Framework

The EU developed the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) as a translation tool to make national qualifications easier to understand and more comparable. The EQF seeks to support cross-border mobility of learners and workers, promote lifelong learning and professional development across Europe.

Each of the 8 levels of the EQF is defined by a set of descriptors indicating the learning outcomes relevant to qualifications at that level in any qualifications system.

Definition of learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are defined in terms of:

Knowledge: in the context of EQF, knowledge is described as theoretical and/or factual.

Skills: In the context of EQF, skills are described as cognitive (involving the use of logical, intuitive and creative thinking) and practical (involving manual dexterity and the use of methods, materials, tools and instruments).

Responsibility and autonomy: In the context of the EQF responsibility and autonomy is described as the ability of the learner to apply knowledge and skills autonomously and with responsibility.

Sources and Further reading

Introductory information about the EQF can be found at https://europass.europa.eu/en/europass-digital-tools/european-qualifications-framework. The above descriptions were taken from this page.