The QAA published the framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in August 2008, which includes national level descriptors. A further document entitled 'Higher Education Credit Framework for England - guidance on academic credit arrangements in higher education in England' was also published in August 2008.
The University of Bristol incorporates these levels into its nomenclature as explained below. The University has also introduced a Credit Framework to show the level of its awards and the amount of credit at each level which is required for each award.
In modular programmes each unit is assigned a level which relates to the learning outcomes for that particular unit. Each unit is also allocated a number of credit points. The QAA framework also includes qualification descriptors outlining what a student should have demonstrated at each level.
In updating the framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (August 2008) the QAA has advised that levels C, I, H, M and D be changed to 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8. In response, the University is moving towards implementing the new nomenclature, although until the time where there is full implementation a description of how the new nomenclature equates to the previous nomenclature is provided, as shown below:
| New FHEQ level | Previous UoB level | Relates to |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | QCA level 3 Advanced | Units which make up preliminary years of, for instance, the medical, dental and some science programmes. Units which lead to a Pathway or Preliminary Certificate - see framework for undergraduate certificates and diplomas in the General Regulations (section 15). |
| 4 | Level C (Certificate Level) | Units which are normally taken in the first stage of an undergraduate programme. Level C / 4 units contribute to an Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education. |
| 5 | Level I (Intermediate Level) | Units which are normally taken in the second stage of an undergraduate programme. Level I / 5 units contribute towards Diplomas of Higher Education, foundation degrees and ordinary (bachelors) degrees. |
| 6 | Level H (Honours Level) | Units which are normally taken in the final stage of an undergraduate programme. Level H / 6 units contribute towards bachelors degrees with honours, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas. |
| 5, 6, 7 | Level I, Level H, Level M | Units such as year abroad or year in industry and final year units as part of an undergraduate Masters degree. Depending on how these units are assessed and how they are used in a final award classification will decide whether they are level I / 5, level H / 6 or level M / 7. |
| 7 | Level M (Masters Level) | Units making up taught masters programmes. Level M /7 units contribute towards Masters degrees, MSci or MEng degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates. |
| 8 | Level D (Doctoral Level) | Doctorate level |
For example: 1 equates to level C / 4; 2 equates to level I / 5; 3 equates to level H / 6. In addition, Masters level / level 7 units are shown by the letter M in the unit code and Doctoral level / level 8 units are shown by the letter D in the unit code. QCA level 3 Advanced units have a 0 prefix.