UCD AWARDS AND NATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF QUALIFICATIONS
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) has been established to create a coherent structure for the development and recognition of all awards within the Irish education system. It is founded on the principles of learning outcomes which identify the level of knowledge, skills and competence a learner should attain to achieve an award placed on the framework. The aim of the NFQ is to describe a clear relationship between all levels of educational achievement which will provide greater clarity for learners, education training providers and employers.
The Framework defines ten levels and recognises four categories of award type at the University level. These are known as (i) Major Awards, (ii) Minor Awards, (iii) Special Purpose Awards and (iv) Supplemental Awards. For a detailed definition of the National Framework of Qualifications Levels and Awards Types please go to http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/
The Level of your qualification
In the case of the following major degree programmes; Honours Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree and Doctoral Degree, the associated levels are applicable regardless of date of award.
The level of an award is not affected by an individual's achievement within it i.e. the grading or classification. For example; the Bachelor of Commerce degree is classified as a Level 8 award, regardless of whether a graduate received a "pass" or "honours" grade.
During the process of mapping diploma awards to the NFQ a number of Higher Diploma
programmes were re-designated as Graduate Diplomas.
UCD Major Awards
| Award | Award Type | Level |
ECTS Credits |
| Honours Bachelor Degree* | Major | 8 |
180-240 |
Honours Bachelor Degree (Professional) |
Major | 8 |
240-360 |
Higher Diploma |
Major | 8 |
60-120 |
| Professional Diploma in Education | Major | 8 |
|
Graduate Diploma |
Major | 9 |
60-80 |
Masters Degree (taught) |
Major | 9 |
90-120 |
Masters Degree (research) |
Major | 9 |
90-180 |
Doctoral Degree (research) |
Major | 10 |
270-360 |
* BSc students who do not progress to Stage 4 of the BSc programme but who have achieved 180 credits with a minimum of 100 ECTS at level 2 or above and a minimum of 40 ECTS at level 3 or above would be awarded a BSc (General Science) degree which would be classified as a Level 8 degree on the NQAI scale.
Prior to modularisation, students graduated with a BSc (General) after satisfactorily completing 3 years of study. The programme outcomes of the BSc (General) and the current 180 credit BSc (General Science) award are comparable. The University has designated NFQ Level 8 to the BSc (General) Degree. The BSc (General) awarded pre-1997 has been placed at
NFQ level 7. (See UCD Legacy Awards)
Professional Diploma in Education. The Irish universities have agreed to adopt a new title for initial post-primary teaching qualification from 2011/12 (recognised by the Teaching Council) for the purposes of entry on the Register as a post-primary teacher. The title replaces the existing Graduate Diploma in Education. The Professional Diploma in Education is placed as a Level 8 award on the NFQ, as is a qualification associated with a graduate entry programme, and as as such is consistent with the Higher Diploma award type. For more information please see NQAI website: http://www.nqai.ie/ProfessionalDiplomainEducation_000.html
UCD Minor, Special Purpose and Supplemental Awards
| Award | Award Type | Level |
ECTS Credits |
| University (level 7) Certificate | Minor | 7 |
20-40 |
| University Diploma | Minor | 7 |
60-180 |
| University (level 8) Certificate | Minor | 8 |
20-40 |
| Graduate Certificate | Minor | 9 |
30-40 |
| Professional Certificate | Special Purpose | 7, 8 or 9 |
5-15 |
| Professional Diploma | Special Purpose | 7, 8 or 9 |
20-30 |
| Certificate of Continuing Education | Special Purpose | 6 or 7 |
5-15 |
| Diploma in Continuing Education | Special Purpose | 6 or 7 |
20-30 |
| Certificate of Continuing Professional Development | Supplemental Award | 8 or 9 |
5-10 |
For a full listing of UCD Minor, Special Purpose and Supplemental Awards please click here
Contact: If you require further information please contact us at acsec@ucd.ie
UCD Legacy Awards
Legacy Awards is the term used for qualifications that the University no longer
offers. The following legacy awards have been mapped to the NFQ.
| Award | Award Type | Level |
| BA General | Major |
|
| BA Special | Major |
|
| BSc General (awarded pre-1997) | Major |
|
| BSc General (awarded post 1997) | Major | 8 |
If you require further information please contact us at acsec@ucd.ie
Useful Links
UCD Level Descriptors: http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/level_desc.pdf
Mapping UCD awards to the framework: http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/nfqmapping.pdf
University Regulations: http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/academic_regs.pdf