The EQF is a common european Reference Framework, which connects the qualification system of different countries and functions as a translation instrument to make qualifications more comprehensible across national and system boundaries in Europe.

Most european countries have chosen to develop a national Qualifications Framework that refers to and incorporates the EQF. These developments are important because they assure, because they ensure that the cooperation process taking place at European level is properly anchored at national level.

The eight reference levels are described in the form of learning outcomes. Due to the differences between the different european systems for general and VET education, it is necessary for the EQF to be based on learning outcomes, therefore ensuring their comparability and cooperation between countries and institutions.

The EQF defines a learning outcome as a statement of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process. The EQF therefore emphasises learning outcomes rather than focusing on factors such as study duration. Learning outcomes are divided into three categories - knowledge, skills and competence. This indicates that qualifications - in various combinations - cover a whole range of learning outcomes, including theoretical knowledge, practical and technical skills and social competence, where the ability to work with others is crucial.

The European Qualifications Framework refers to eight qualification levels, starting from level 1 - end of compulsory education - up to level 8 - highest level of higher education.

Each qualification level describes the educational qualifications in terms of knowledge (theoretical and practical), skills (cognitive and practical) and competences (responsibility and autonomy). The advantage of this qualifications framework is particularly to validate training and learning outcomes with their formal and informal contents.

The institutions which are responsible for the Qualifications Framework on a national or sector-specific level have to ensure a certain compatibility between their systems and the EQF. This allows individuals, employers and educational institutions to compare qualifications issued by other countries and other education systems.

With this system, your diploma should, for example, be equal to one level of the European Qualifications Framework. If you apply in Austria, for example, an employer can use this information to compare your qualifications with those of his country.