Referencing the Credit and Qualifications Framework …

1

Referencing the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales to the European Qualifications Framework Report

October 2019

2

Contents

Glossary ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Executive summary ............................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter One ? Introduction .................................................................................................................. 16

1.1. Background ........................................................................................................................... 16 1.2. 2019 referencing of the CQFW to the EQF............................................................................ 16 1.3. Feedback from 2010 referencing .......................................................................................... 18 1.4. Process for referencing the CQFW to the EQF ...................................................................... 18

A desk-based review of previous report and feedback................................................................. 18 A desk-based review of level descriptors to map against EQF...................................................... 19 A desk-based review of learning outcomes, including using qualification specifications from regulated qualifications ................................................................................................................ 19 Overview of changes in the Welsh qualification system............................................................... 19 Engaging with users of the CQFW ................................................................................................ 19 Engagement with international experts on report drafts and on targeted issues ........................ 20 1.5. Structure of this report.......................................................................................................... 20 Chapter Two ? Context for the CQFW................................................................................................... 22 2.1. Education policy in Wales .......................................................................................................... 23 Devolved government .................................................................................................................. 23 Local government ......................................................................................................................... 24 UK government............................................................................................................................. 24 Policy on the school curriculum.................................................................................................... 24 2.2. Schools in Wales......................................................................................................................... 25 2.3. Further education in Wales........................................................................................................ 26 2.4. Work-based learning.................................................................................................................. 26 2.5. Higher education........................................................................................................................ 27 2.6 Qualifications .............................................................................................................................. 28 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) ..................................................................... 28 The Welsh Baccalaureate ............................................................................................................. 30 Vocational qualifications............................................................................................................... 31 Higher education qualifications .................................................................................................... 33 2.7. The UK context........................................................................................................................... 34 Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries ............................................................................................ 37 Chapter Three - The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales................................................... 39

3

3.1. Aims of the CQFW ...................................................................................................................... 39 3.2. Structure of the CQFW............................................................................................................... 39

The Higher Education Pillar........................................................................................................... 42 The Regulated Qualifications Pillar ............................................................................................... 43 The Lifelong Learning Pillar........................................................................................................... 44 Levels ............................................................................................................................................ 45 Awarding bodies ........................................................................................................................... 46 3.3. Governance of the CQFW .......................................................................................................... 48 3.4. High Level Principles .................................................................................................................. 50 3.5. Examples of the use of the CQFW.............................................................................................. 52 Higher-Level Apprenticeships ....................................................................................................... 52 GCSE at levels 1 and 2................................................................................................................... 54 Bespoke Lifelong Learning units ................................................................................................... 54 Chapter Four ? Changes to the CQFW since the 2010 referencing report............................................ 56 4.1. Changes to level descriptors in the Regulated Qualifications Pillar ........................................... 56 4.2. Maturation of the CQFW............................................................................................................ 57 Chapter Five ? Evidence against the Criteria for Referencing ............................................................... 61 Criterion 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 61 Criterion 2 ......................................................................................................................................... 63 Criterion 3 ......................................................................................................................................... 67 Criterion 4 ......................................................................................................................................... 76 Criterion 5 ......................................................................................................................................... 79 Criterion 6 ......................................................................................................................................... 90 Criterion 7 ......................................................................................................................................... 91 Criterion 8 ......................................................................................................................................... 92 Criterion 9 ......................................................................................................................................... 93 Criterion 10 ....................................................................................................................................... 94 Chapter Six ? The future of the CQFW .................................................................................................. 95 References............................................................................................................................................. 96 Appendix 1 - Mapping of the CQFW Regulated Qualifications Pillar and Lifelong Learning Pillar to the EQF ........................................................................................................................................................ 99 Appendix 2 - Outcomes of Vertical progression review ...................................................................... 125 Appendix 3 ? Findings from the Learning Outcome Review................................................................ 155 Appendix 4 ? Letter of support from QAA........................................................................................... 178

4

Appendix 5 ? Statement from Dr John O'Connor, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (International expert) ................................................................................................................................................. 179 Appendix 6 ? Statement from Horacy Dbowski, Centralna Komisja Egzaminacyjna, Poland (International expert) .......................................................................................................................... 183 Appendix 7 ? Members of the Steering Group for the referencing..................................................... 190

Glossary

A level

Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Apprenticeship

Assessment Assessment Methods Award Awarding Body CEDEFOP Centre

5

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, also known as a GCE A level. Qualifications taken, after GCSEs, in a range of subjects, usually taken at age 16-18 and typically a two-year course of study. They are used as a basis for admissions to higher education, further training or entry into employment.

A qualification that forms the first part of an A level qualification. It may be taken as a freestanding qualification. In Wales and Northern Ireland, it contributes to the A level result. In England, AS qualifications cannot contribute to A levels.

At age 16+, publicly funded apprenticeships are delivered through workbased learning providers, where learners are employed as apprentices but also complete a programme of learning and assessment, at Level 2 or Level 3. There are also higher-level apprenticeships which may use qualifications regulated by the Regulated Qualifications Pillar or which may lead to degrees that are included in the Higher Education Pillar.

Apprenticeships in Wales that are funded by Welsh Government must be compliant with the SASW (the specification for apprenticeship standards in Wales) which requires, amongst other things, that learners complete a regulated qualification.

The evaluation, test, measurement and/or documentation of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and/or understanding.

The methods of assessment specified in the qualification specification e.g. portfolio of evidence, controlled assessment. Another term sometimes used to describe this is `assessment instruments'.

A decision to give a candidate a result for a qualification or for part of a qualification.

An organisation that develops qualifications, specifies and monitors assessments and issues awards to learners, formally recognising the learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and/or competences), following an assessment and validation procedure.

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

An organisation that enters candidates for qualifications. Centres will often be schools, colleges or work-based learning providers, who provide learning and / or assessment.

6

Credit CQFW EQF FEI FHEQ

HEFCW

HEI GCSE

General Qualification (GQ) Learner

Credit is a way of recognising learning and a credit value given to a unit or qualification shows how much learning is expected.

In the CQFW, a credit is 10 hours of learning time.

Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales The national qualifications framework for Wales

European Qualifications Framework

Further Education Institution Colleges and other providers of post-compulsory education and training

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)

The framework of level descriptors used in the design of programmes of higher education, which forms part of the Quality Assurance Agency's Quality Code.

Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

HEFCW regulates fee levels at universities, ensures a framework is in place for assessing the quality of higher education and scrutinises the performance of universities and other designated providers.

Higher Education Institution

Universities and other degree-awarding institutions.

General Certificates of Secondary Education are available in a wide range of subjects. GCSEs are the main Level 1 and Level 2 general qualifications at age 14-16 in Wales. They can be used as a basis for higher-level study or training, or direct entry into employment.

Describes qualifications that are taken typically by learners in school or college as part of their statutory or further education. This includes GCSEs, AS and A levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate and other qualifications that share some of the features common to GCSEs and A levels.

A person who is undertaking, planning to undertake or likely to undertake a programme of learning. The programme of learning may be designed to prepare learners for a qualification. Once a learner has entered, or been entered for a qualification, he or she is often referred to as a candidate.

Learning Provider

Level of demand NCP

7

An organisation that provides learning opportunities to learners and which may be accredited by one or more awarding bodies to be able to do so. Typically, schools, colleges and work-based learning providers.

The degree of challenge that an assessment presents for the learner.

National Coordination Point National Coordination Point is the body responsible for maintaining the relationship of the national qualification system to the EQF. In the UK the NCP is made up of Ofqual ? England; CCEA - Northern Ireland; SCQF ? Scotland and ColegauCymru/CollegesWales ? Wales

NHS

National Health Service (Wales)

The state provider of healthcare in Wales

National Occupational Standards (NOS)

UK-wide statements of the standards of performance individuals must achieve when carrying out functions in the workplace, together with specifications of the underpinning knowledge and understanding. These are agreed standards across Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Many vocational qualifications are based on these standards.

QiW

Qualifications in Wales

The national database for qualifications in the Regulated Qualifications

Pillar of the CQFW.

QAA

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

The independent body that monitors and advises on standards and

quality in UK higher education.

Qualification Type

Qualification types refers to groups of qualifications that have been developed to meet common design requirements such as GCSEs, GCSE AS and A levels and vocational certificates, awards and diplomas.

Total Qualification Time (TQT)

The number of notional hours that represents an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a learner to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. Total Qualification Time is comprised of the following two elements:

(a) the number of hours which an awarding body has assigned to a qualification for Guided Learning, and

(b) an estimate of the number of hours a learner will reasonably be likely to spend in preparation, study or any other form of participation in education or training, including assessment,

8

which takes place as directed by- but not under the Immediate Guidance or Supervision of- a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training.

UCAS

University and Colleges Admissions Service

UCAS is an independent charity providing information, advice, and admissions services to inspire and facilitate educational progression.

Vocational Qualification (VQ)

Qualifications that are awarded and certificated by an awarding body, taken by learners from the age of 14 upwards, and which assess knowledge, understanding and/or skills that relate explicitly to the world of work.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download