All qualifications on the QCF are written in a standard format to a specified set of rules and all units are written in a common unit template using agreed language for expressing achievements. NOCN qualifications have always been written in such a format and therefore our qualifications have not changed significantly in the move to the QCF.

Units

• All units use the same unit template, consisting of learning outcomes, assessment criteria, a level and a credit value. This unit template is consistent with the traditional OCN template;
• The credit value for a unit is awarded once the unit has been successfully completed. One credit is equivalent to 10 hours of learning time; this learning may take place in the classroom, in private study and in the workplace. In order to establish the credit value of a unit, an estimate is made on how long it would take the learner, on average, to complete all of the learning outcomes in that unit;
• Each unit has a level which indicates depth and breadth of learning, the application of knowledge and skills and learner autonomy. Levels range from Entry to level 8. NOCN currently offers qualifications from Entry to Level 3 (and Level 4 in teaching qualifications).

Rules of combination for qualifications

The rule of combination for a qualification specifies the number of credits required to achieve the full qualification. The rule of combination may offer any one of the following:

• full flexibility in unit combination (credits required only from optional units);
• part flexibility in unit combination (credits required from a combination of mandatory and optional units);
• a fully prescribed set of units (credits must all be achieved from mandatory units).

Size of qualifications

The qualifications in the QCF come in three sizes and it is the number of credits in pqualification, i.e. volume of learning, that determines the size.

• Award = 1-12 credits
• Certificate = 13-36 credits 
• Diploma = 37 credits or more.

Title of qualifications

Each qualification is assigned a title which indicates:

• the level (difficulty/complexity/depth of learning)
• size (Award, Certificate or Diploma) i.e. volume of learning
• subject

Levels of qualifications

All qualifications are written at one level; the level of a qualification indicates how difficult it is and can range from Entry (at the very start of the learning ladder) to Level 8 (higher degrees, PhDs).

A qualification in the QCF can be made up of units of different levels and this allows a learner to achieve some units at a higher or lower level than the level of the full qualification.