The full RQF table at a glance
The table below shows every level of the Regulated Qualifications Framework, the qualifications that typically sit at each level, and how the RQF maps to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and Scotland's SCQF.
| RQF Level | Typical UK qualifications | Approx. EQF | Approx. SCQF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | Doctorate (PhD/DPhil), Level 8 Award/Certificate/Diploma | 8 | 12 |
| Level 7 | Master's degree, PGCE, PGCert, PGDip, Level 7 NVQ | 7 | 11 |
| Level 6 | Bachelor's degree with honours, degree apprenticeship, graduate diploma | 6 | 10/9 |
| Level 5 | Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Foundation degree, HND | 5-6 | 8 |
| Level 4 | Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), HNC, Higher apprenticeship | 5 | 7 |
| Level 3 | A Level, University Preparation Course, T Level, Advanced apprenticeship, AS Level, International Baccalaureate | 4 | 6 |
| Level 2 | GCSE grades 9-4 (A*-C), Intermediate apprenticeship, Level 2 Functional Skills, O Level grade A-C | 3 | 5 |
| Level 1 | GCSE grades 3-1 (D-G), Level 1 Functional Skills, Level 1 NVQ | 2 | 4 |
| Entry Level 3 | Entry level certificate, Entry level Functional Skills, ESOL Entry 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Entry Level 2 | Entry level award/certificate/diploma | - | 2 |
| Entry Level 1 | Entry level award/certificate/diploma | - | 1 |
The RQF replaced the old National Qualifications Framework and the Qualifications and Credit Framework in 2015, so any qualification awarded before then may still use those older labels.
How to read a qualification level
Two qualifications at the same RQF level are similar in demand but not necessarily in content or duration. A Level Biology and a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care are both Level 3, but they teach very different things and are assessed in different ways.
Level tells you how complex the learning is. Size (measured in Total Qualification Time or credits) tells you how much learning is involved. Employers and universities look at both.
Which level do you need?
For most UK universities, entry to a bachelor's degree needs Level 3 qualifications (typically A Levels or a University Preparation Course). Level 4 to 5 qualifications like HNCs and HNDs can bridge into the second or third year of a related degree.
For most professional and regulated care jobs in the UK, employers ask for at least a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in the relevant area, plus GCSEs at grade 4/C or above in English and maths.