RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Career questions about recognition of qualifications

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH (OVERVIEW)

European frameworks and networks form a coherent system supporting transparency, recognition and comparability of qualifications to enhance learning and labour mobility across Europe.

Recognition and mobility are facilitated through coordinated national information centres within the ENIC–NARIC Networks, which provide authoritative guidance on higher education systems, qualifications and recognition procedures. In some countries, these bodies also carry out formal assessments and issue recognition decisions, thereby linking information provision with regulatory functions.

Comparability and transparency of qualifications are ensured through learning outcome-based frameworks. National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs), referenced to the eight-level of European Qualifications Framework (EQF), enable cross-country level comparison. Digital tools such as Europass and Cedefop’s NQF online tool operationalise this transparency by mapping qualifications across systems.

RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS OBTAINED ABROAD

ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union) Networks are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the national information centres on academic recognition of qualifications of in total 56 countries. The ENIC-NARIC Networks has a joint website with the aim of helping interested organisations and individuals find information on current issues in international academic and professional mobility, and on procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications. National information centres facilitate access to authoritative and accurate information on the higher education system and qualifications of the country in which it is located, on the higher education systems and qualifications of the other Parties, and give advice or information on recognition matters and assessment of qualifications, in accordance with national laws and regulations. In some cases countries may also mandate their national information centre to evaluate qualifications held by individuals, and thus issue recognition advice/recommendation or legally-binding recognition decisions.

EU resource: | ENIC-NARIC > Country pages |

| More about ENIC-NARIC on the index page |

TOOL FOR COMPARING NATIONAL QUALIFICATION LEVELS

The primary tool for comparing national qualification levels is a National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which classifies qualifications by level based on learning outcomes, and its comparison to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Online platforms, such as the Europass website Learn in Europe, information and support section and Cedefop’s online tool, where you can search countries on the interactive map, facilitate comparison by mapping national qualifications onto a common European framework.

ENIC and NARIC have developed tools and projects to facilitate recognition, foster mobility and enhance internationalisation of higher education.

Further information on NQFs

EU resource: | EUROPASS > Compare qualifications |
EU resource: | EUROPASS > National Qualifications Frameworks |

Further information on Europass website Learn in Europe, information and support section:

EU resource: | EUROPASS I Learn in Europe > Information and support |

Further information on national qualifications onto a common European framework:

EU resource: | CEDEFOP >National Qualifications Frameworks (Online tool) |

Further information on list of tools that can help credential evaluators in their daily work:

EU resource: | ENIC-NARIC > Recognition tools and projects |

DESCRIPTION OF EQF LEVELS

The European Qualifications Framework comparison table offers information on how the EQF framework aligns with qualifications in European countries. There are eight levels, each of the 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.

Further information on the descriptions of EQF levels:

EU resource: | EUROPASS > Descriptions of the EQF levels |

| More about EUROPASS on the index page |

MICRO CREDENTIALS

Micro-credentials certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, for example a short course or training. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help people develop the knowledge, skills and competences they need for their personal and professional development. There is a Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability.

Further information on Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability:

EU resource: | Official website of the European Union | EUR-Lex > Council Recommendation (16 June 2022) |

Further information on projects on micro-credentials within the European Higher Education Area: