Recognition of qualifications

and surrounding issues

Kate Bellamy, Senior Analyst

providing clarity. releasing potential

Session Overview

• Background to UK NARIC

• Evaluating overseas qualifications

• National qualifications framework

• Recognition issues

• NARIC’s role in RiT project

• Teaching reports
Background to UK NARIC

• Established in 1984 – NARIC / ENIC network of 54 Countries

• Self-funded government agency (ECCTIS Ltd) under contract

to DIUS
¾ UK NARIC
¾ UK NEC
¾ UK NRP (phased out)

• First point of contact regarding recognition of qualifications

• Provides informed guidance, not legally binding decisions

What we do

• Individual enquiry service

• Organisation enquiry service

• Membership subscription
¾ International Comparisons (183 Countries)
¾ Vocational Comparisons (46 countries)
¾ Teaching Comparisons (63 countries)
¾ Childcare Comparisons (68 countries)
¾ Social Care Comparisons (11 countries)
¾ Grade Comparisons (

• Research and Development

¾ Sectoral research and mapping/benchmarking of international sectoral qualifications
¾ Mapping of international and national English language tests
¾ Consultancy in education reform
Evaluation criteria

• Developed by UK NARIC to ensure consistency of evaluations

• We consider the following elements when evaluating a qualification:

¾ Model of education
¾ Nationally recognised institution / qualification
¾ Entry Requirements
¾ Duration
¾ Content
¾ Structure
¾ Learning Outcomes
¾ Occupational Outcomes
¾ Context – national qualifications system or framework

• Comparison linked to UK qualifications, in line with NARIC bands

National Qualifications Framework
Level Academic Awards Vocational Awards Occupational Qualifications

8 Doctorate Specialist Awards

7 Master degrees N/SVQ 5

6 Bachelor degree

5 Diploma of Higher Education/ Foundation Degree BTEC / SQA Higher National Diploma N/SVQ 4

4 Certificate of Higher Education BTEC Higher National Certificate

3 A/AS level / Higher AVCE / BTEC National Diploma / Scottish N/SVQ 3

Group Awards level 6

2 GCSE A-C / Credit Standard Grade Intermediate GNVQ / VGCSE/BTEC First N/SVQ 2
Diploma / Scottish Group Award (level
4/5)

1 GCSE D-G / General Standard Grade Foundation GNVQ N/SVQ1

Entry Foundation Standard Grade

NARIC Bands
NARIC Band Comparison Statements

17 Comparable to British Post Doctoral standard

16 Comparable to British Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) standard

15 Comparable to British Master of Philosophy degree (MPhil) standard

14 Comparable to British Master’s degree standard

13 Comparable to British taught Master’s degree standard

Comparable to British Postgraduate Diploma standard

12
Comparable to N/SVQ level 5 standard

11 Comparable to British Postgraduate Certificate standard

10 Comparable to British Bachelor (Honours) degree standard

9 Comparable to British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree standard

Comparable to Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

8 Comparable to BTEC / SQA Higher National Diploma (HND) standard.
Comparable to N/SVQ level 4 / SQA level 4 / City & Guilds level 4 standard

Comparable to Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) standard

7
Comparable to BTEC / SQA Higher National Certificate (HNC) standard

Comparable to a standard between BTEC National Diploma and BTEC Higher National Diploma / SQA Professional Development Award (level 7)
6
Comparable to a standard between N/SVQ level 3 / City & Guilds level 3 and N/SVQ level 4 / City & Guilds level 4 standard

Comparable to the overall GCE Advanced / Scottish Advanced Higher standard

Comparable to Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) / BTEC National Diploma standard / SQA Professional Development Award (level 7)
5
Comparable to N/SVQ level 3 / City & Guilds level 3 standard
Comparable to English Advanced Apprenticeship / Scottish Modern Apprenticeship / W elsh Advanced Modern Apprenticeship standard

Comparable to GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level / Scottish Higher standard

4
Comparable to VCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level / BTEC National Certificate / SQA National Certificate (level 6)

Comparable to a standard between GCSE and GCE AS level

Comparable to a standard between BTEC First Diploma and BTEC National Diploma / SQA National Certificate (level 6)
3 Comparable to a standard between N/SVQ level 2 / City & Guilds level 2 and N/SVQ level 3 / City & Guilds level 3
Comparable to the English Apprenticeship / W elsh Modern Apprenticeship and the English Advanced Apprenticeship / W elsh Advanced Modern Apprenticeship.
Below the standard of Scottish Modern Apprenticeship

Comparable to GCSE (grades A*-C) / Credit Standard Grade standard

Comparable to VGCSE (grades A*-C) / BTEC First Diploma / SQA Intermediate 2 standard
2
Comparable to N/SVQ level 2 / City & Guilds level 2 standard
Comparable to English Apprenticeship / W elsh Modern Apprenticeship standard

Comparable to GCSE (grades D-G) / General Standard Grade standard

1 Comparable to VGCSE (grades D-G) / SQA Intermediate 1 standard
Comparable to N/SVQ level 1 / City & Guilds level 1 standard

Below GCSE / Standard Grade standard

Recognition Issues

• Different education systems and approaches

• Specialised vs general education

• Common terminology

• Focus on duration over outcomes

• Accreditation or recognition in host or third country

• Reliability of information or documentation

Role in Refugees into Teaching

• Provide a free evaluation service for refugee teachers through

referral by other partners

• 10 country reports providing information on the teacher training

provision in these countries since 1980:
- Afghanistan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Iran
- Iraq
- Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Turkey
- Zimbabwe
Country Reports - Aims

• Provide context to the qualifications

• A comparison of teaching awards to UK academic

standards, to facilitate:
– Access to the OTTP
– Access to further study

• Assistance for admission staff at universities and for

those in advice guidance
Country Reports - Structure

• Historical context
• Structure of education system
• Teacher training system
• In-service training
• Quality assurance
• Attractiveness of the teaching profession
• Classroom culture and discipline
• Summary
• UK comparisons to teaching awards and secondary
qualifications
Country Reports – Promotion!

• Individual country files are available to download from

the RiT website – for free!

• Particularly useful for admission departments in HEIs,

teaching agencies, schools and colleges

• Copies here for perusal – feedback would be welcome!

• Suggestions for additional countries also welcome

Thank you!

Any questions?

Kate Bellamy
kate.bellamy@naric.org.uk