Each full and partial qualification is assigned a certain level in the NQF, described through the competences it requires. Qualification levels form a universal scale, which allows incorporating all full and partial qualifications, and are shared by the National Qualifications Framework and the National Occupations System. The qualification level design also reflects their relation to the EQF levels.
A new level, EQF 5, has been established, which has hitherto not had any equivalent educational degree within the Czech educational system. It has been proposed that this level include short-term tertiary education programs, which are currently grouped under level 6 according to existing legislation.
Following the transformation of the tertiary technical schools’ educational programs, short-term tertiary educational programs (up to 120 ECTS credits) would enable students to obtain competences requiring the mastering of methods and techniques for a limited range of specialized occupations, which will allow the graduates to perform the duties required for such occupations independently, including the running of a business enterprise and leading a team of employees with qualifications on levels 1 to 4. Such qualifications would also provide a basis for a link to bachelor’s study programs (level 6), which would expand such qualifications to include extended theoretical knowledge and methodology for a particular discipline.
Academic standards for educational (study) programs for qualifications on level 5 or hither will be set up by the National Qualifications Framework for tertiary education, which is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports within the Q-RAM project.
The presented document is based on the presumption that qualification levels up to level 5 could also include partial qualifications from the continuing education system, which may not correspond precisely to initial education qualifications. This would allow better interchangeability of both types of qualifications on level 5, as well as the possible transformed higher professional education.
Partial qualifications (and educational programs for achieving them) are listed under level 5 of the EQF in order to stimulate possible discussion regarding the interconnection of the NQF system and Act No. 179/2006 Coll. with level 5. However, partial qualifications may be created on any level permitted by Act No. 179/2006 Coll.; as of now, this includes EQF levels up to level 4.)
Descriptors of each level and their relation to the European qualification framework have been discussed by the MEYS on January 5th 2010