Qualifications, Academic Levels & Progression
Understand how qualifications can be described through learning outcomes, knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy within the European qualifications landscape.
Understanding Academic Levels
Qualification frameworks provide a common language for describing learning outcomes. They help learners, institutions and employers understand the complexity of knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy associated with different levels of learning.
The European Qualifications Framework
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is an eight-level, learning-outcomes-based framework that helps make qualifications easier to understand and compare across different European education and training systems.
EQF & ECTS Serve Different Purposes
Both concepts are important within European education, but they describe different aspects of learning.
Level of Learning
EQF describes the level and complexity of learning outcomes through knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy.
Volume of Learning
ECTS describes the volume of learning associated with higher education study and supports the transparency and comparability of study workloads.
Three Dimensions of Progression
EQF level descriptors describe progression through three interconnected dimensions: knowledge, skills, and responsibility and autonomy.
Knowledge
Theoretical and factual understanding within a field of learning. At higher levels, knowledge becomes increasingly specialised, critical and advanced.
Skills
Cognitive and practical abilities used to apply knowledge, solve problems, develop solutions and address increasingly complex situations.
& Autonomy
Responsibility & Autonomy
The ability to take responsibility, exercise judgement, manage activities and operate with increasing independence.
Eight Levels of Progression
Each successive level represents increasing complexity, specialisation, problem-solving capability and autonomy.
Basic Foundation
Basic general knowledge and simple skills within a structured environment.
Basic Knowledge
Basic factual knowledge and routine cognitive and practical skills.
Intermediate
Knowledge of principles and processes with increasing responsibility.
Advanced
Factual and theoretical knowledge with the ability to solve specific problems.
Higher Learning
Comprehensive and specialised knowledge with developing supervisory capability.
Advanced Practice
Advanced knowledge, mastery and innovation in complex professional situations.
Advanced Mastery
Highly specialised knowledge, critical thinking, research and complex problem-solving.
Highest Level
Knowledge at the most advanced frontier with advanced autonomy, research and innovation.
Explore Each Level
The following summaries explain how knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy develop across the eight reference levels.
Level 1
Knowledge
Basic general knowledge relevant to a field of learning or activity.
Skills
Basic skills required to perform simple tasks using established methods.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Work or study under direct supervision within a structured environment.
Level 2
Knowledge
Basic factual knowledge within a particular field of work or study.
Skills
Basic cognitive and practical skills used to complete routine tasks.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Work or study under supervision with increasing personal autonomy.
Level 3
Knowledge
Knowledge of facts, principles, processes and general concepts within a field.
Skills
Cognitive and practical skills used to select appropriate methods and information.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Take responsibility for completing tasks and adapt approaches when solving problems.
Level 4
Knowledge
Factual and theoretical knowledge within broad contexts of work or study.
Skills
Cognitive and practical skills capable of generating solutions to specific problems.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Exercise self-management and take responsibility for improving work or study activities.
Level 5
Knowledge
Comprehensive and specialised knowledge together with awareness of its boundaries.
Skills
A broad range of cognitive and practical skills for developing creative solutions.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Manage and supervise activities where situations may change and require judgement.
Level 6
Knowledge
Advanced knowledge involving critical understanding of theories and principles.
Skills
Advanced skills demonstrating mastery and innovation in solving complex problems.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Manage complex professional activities and take responsibility for decision-making.
Level 7
Knowledge
Highly specialised knowledge supporting original thinking and critical awareness.
Skills
Specialised problem-solving skills used in research, innovation and integration of knowledge.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Manage and transform complex contexts while contributing to professional knowledge and practice.
Level 8
Knowledge
Knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field and at the interface between fields.
Skills
The most advanced specialised skills and techniques for critical research and innovation.
Responsibility & Autonomy
Demonstrate substantial authority, autonomy, innovation and professional or scholarly integrity.
Higher Levels. Greater Complexity.
As learning progresses towards the higher reference levels, knowledge becomes more specialised, problem-solving becomes more complex and learners are expected to demonstrate greater autonomy, judgement and responsibility.
Advanced / Master's-Level Learning
Highly specialised knowledge, advanced problem-solving, critical thinking and the ability to manage complex professional or academic contexts.
Doctoral-Level Learning
Knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field, together with advanced research, innovation, autonomy and scholarly or professional authority.
Understanding ECTS
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) provides a common framework for describing the volume of learning associated with higher education.
ECTS supports transparency and comparison of study programmes and learning workloads across participating European higher education systems.
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