Diagram

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, endorsed, on 23 April 2008, a recommendation on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (2008/C 111/01). The European Qualifications Framework is expected to improve transparency and support mutual trust concerning qualifications.

The European Qualifications Framework is a reference framework whose aim is to relate the qualifications systems of various countries. In order to facilitate this effort, each Member State is expected to develop a National Qualifications Framework. Therefore, the Board of Ministers, with the Decision number 67.445 of the 9th of July 2008, decided the appointment of a National Committee for the Development and Establishment of a National Qualifications Framework in Cyprus, which consists of the Permanet Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture (President of the Committee), the Permanet Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and the General Director of the Human Resource Development Authority or their representatives.

The National Committee has appointed a three-member Working Committee for the preparation of an Interim Report on the development of a National Qualifications Framework in Cyprus, which consist of representatives of the three members of the National Committee. Their role was to:
  • Study the examples of other countries that have already developed and established National Qualifications Frameworks.
  • Develop the National Qualifications Framework of Cyprus based on the eight levels of the European Qualifications Framework in order to ensure the smooth referencing of the NQF to the EQF.
  • Take into account the traditionally and socially acceptable norms and frameworks of Cyprus, as well as the reservations regarding the validation of informal and non formal learning.

The Working Committee proceeded to suggest various activities which will contribute to a more comprehensive briefing of both the members of the National Committee for the Development and Establishment of a National Qualifications Framework in Cyprus, as well as of the members of the Working Committee.


THE CYPRUS QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK
NQF LEVELS
EDUCATIONAL/ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Occupational/Vocational Qualifications
EQF LEVELS
8
DOCTORAL DEGREE
8
7c
MASTER’S DEGREE
7
7b
POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA
7a
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
6
UNIVERSITY DEGREE (PTYCHION/BACHELOR’S DEGREE)
SVQ Level 6
6
5c
HIGHER CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS (3 years or more)
SVQ Level 5
5
5b
POST SECONDARY CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS (2 years)
5a
POST SECONDARY CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS (1 year)
4
UPPER SECONDARY GENERAL EDUCATION AND EVENING SCHOOLS CERTIFICATES (12th Class-or 12&13th for some private schools)-APOLYTERION
UPPER SECONDARY TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND EVENING TECHNICAL SCHOOLS CERTIFICATES (12th Class)-APOLYTERION
SVQ Level 4
4
3
LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE 10th Class
NEW MODERN APPRENTICESHIP CERTICATE
SVQ Level 3
3
2
COMPULSORY LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE 9th Class
PREPARATORY PROGRAMME (NEW MODERN APPRENTICESHIP)
2
1
COMPULSORY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (Elementary School Leaving Certificate, and/or graduates of 7th and /or 8th Class)
1
*SVQ=SYSTEM OF VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS