1. General principles for OCR’s QCF qualifications

2. The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
New framework for nationally accredited qualifications, replacing the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
All vocational qualifications to be migrated to QCF by end 2010

3. QCF structure Key feature is credit
One credit = 10 hours learning time. GLH may vary
Levels are same as NQF – L2 roughly GSCE level, L3 A Level, L4 1st year undergrad, L8 PhD
Size of qualifications is fixed – Awards are fairly bite-sized, Certificates medium sized and a Diploma represents a significant programme of study. We cannot produce a Diploma of less than 37 credits at any level.
All qualification titles will therefore contain the size and level of qual as a matter of course. QCF aim is to to produce units that ‘do what they say on the tin’ and reduce duplication.

4. Structure of QCF qualifications
Award, Certificate and Diploma from Entry Level to Level 8
Credit values reflect notional learning time (not guided learning hours)
Availability of units reflects QCF intention to provide flexible qualifications
Units taken in one qualification may count towards another – progression routes

5. Unit elements QCF requirements OCR will provide additional guidance
Title, level, credit, learning aim
Learning outcomes
Assessment criteria
OCR will provide additional guidance

6. Rules of combination, units and qualifications
All units that are specific to OCR have been consulted upon
Rules of combination govern which units make up a qualification
Over 50% of the units have to be completed at the level of the qualification that is to be claimed

7. General observations
The framework has changed, but methods of assessment have not
Each unit needs to be able to be assessed separately, but evidence can still be used across a number of units where appropriate
Greater flexibility may result in qualifications with more than one assessment model - OCR will consider the assessment burden when developing rules of combination.
Full scheme documentation, including entry details, will be available on website
Named and unnamed registration routes will be available
Full qualification and unit entry will be available

8. Further information www.ocr.org.uk
Customer contact centre:
Cymru office: