The two qualifications frameworks in England are the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), for qualifications regulated by Ofqual, and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) for qualifications granted by bodies with degree awarding powers, overseen by the Quality Assurance Agency. These share a common numbering scheme for their levels, which was also used for the earlier Qualifications and Credit Framework. The RQF is linked to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the FHEQ to the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA).
| Level 1 | Foundation diploma GCSE (grades D - G) NVQ level 1 |
EQF level 2 |
| Level 2 | Higher diploma GCSE (grades A* - C) NVQ level 2 |
EQF level 3 |
| Level 3 | Advanced diploma A-level International Baccalaureate BTEC National NVQ level 3 |
EQF level 4 |
| Level 4 | Certificate of Higher Education HNC (awarded by a degree-awarding institution) |
QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the Short Cycle |
| BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) NVQ level 4 |
EQF level 5 | |
| Level 5 | BTEC Professional award, certificate and diploma level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) NVQ level 4 |
|
| Diploma of Higher Education Foundation degree HND (awarded by a degree-awarding institution) |
QF-EHEA Short Cycle (within or linked to first cycle) | |
| Level 6 | BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 6 NVQ level 4 |
EQF level 6 |
| Graduate certificate Graduate diploma Professional Graduate Certificate of Education |
QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the First Cycle | |
| Ordinary bachelor's degree Bachelor's degree with honours |
QF-EHEA First Cycle (end of cycle) | |
| Level 7 | BTEC Advanced Professional award, certificate and diploma level 7 NVQ level 5 |
EQF level 7 |
| Postgraduate certificate Postgraduate diploma Postgraduate Certificate of Education |
QF-EHEA Intermediate qualifications within the Second Cycle | |
| Integrated master's degree Master's degree |
QF-EHEA Second Cycle (end of cycle) | |
| Level 8 | NVQ level 5 | EQF level 8 |
| Doctorates | QF-EHEA Third Cycle (end of cycle) |