North Carolina Open University
Every unit and qualification in the new framework has a credit value (where one credit represents 10 hours of learning time). There are three different sizes of qualification:
• awards (1 to 12 credits)
• certificates (13 to 36 credits)
• diplomas (37 credits or more).
In addition, each qualification has a level of difficulty from Entry level at the bottom to Level 8 at the top.
The title of every qualification within the new framework contains details of the size (award/certificate/diploma), level of difficulty (Entry to Level 8) and general content of the qualification.
| Qualifications and Credit Framework in England and Wales and Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Level 8 | Doctorate |
| Level 7 | Master's degree |
| Level 6 | Bachelor's degree |
| Level 5 | Bachelor's degree, Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma |
| Level 4 | Bachelor's degree, Foundation degree, Higher National Certificate |
| Level 3 | A-level, BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate |
| Level 2 | GCSE (grades A* to C), BTEC First Diploma |
| Level 1 | Key Stage 3, E3 Diploma |
