The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) was established in 2003, covering school, tertiary education and professional awards, and has become a key reference for people and stakeholders over the past two decades. Since the establishment of the NFQ there has been frequent discussion and ongoing tension regarding the placement of separate further and higher education awards at NFQ Level 6, with the Advanced Certificate (AC) and Higher Certificate (HC) causing confusion and unequal progression opportunities. Several reports and reviews conducted in the last decade have pointed to this issue at NFQ Level 6. To date, the placement of major awards in the framework has never been reviewed or revised.
QQI has now published a green paper relating to intermediate qualifications at NFQ Levels 5 and 6.
The Green Paper proposes changes to intermediate qualifications at NFQ Levels 5 and 6, introducing a single major award at Level 6 (termed the Tertiary Certificate), to replace the Advanced and Higher Certificates, and changes to the related Level 5 Certificate to address issues like credit volume, systems and titling. QQI hopes the changes proposed in the Green Paper will simplify the NFQ, improve access, transfer and progression opportunities for learners, and support a unified tertiary education system.
