The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) was set up under the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act, 1999 to promote a framework in the further and higher education system outside the university system in Ireland.

The Role

The authority has the function of ensuring that awards in the Irish education system are standardised with progression routes and awarding terms clearly defined. The universities do not come with its remitt, although it is expected they will work together, these bodies do:

• Dublin Institute of Technology
• Further Education and Training Awards Council
• Higher Education and Training Awards Council

National Framework of Qualifications - Ireland

The Framework

The NQAI is currently creating a National Framework of Qualifications, this is one of its main functions. The image (right) is taken from the publication: National Framework of Qualifications - An Overview¹ available on their website. The current framework only contains major award types and will evolve before a final template is accepted. Additionally current awards which are to be phased out will have to be placed in the framework for reference before replacement awards are chosen.

Citations

1) National Framework of Qualifications - An Overview (PDF - Adobe Acrobat File) (http://www.nqai.ie/overview.pdf)

See also

• Education in Ireland
• Institute of Technology
• Irish Universities
• State Examinations Commission

External link

• Official site (http://www.nqai.ie)