Section 1: Introduction

Published for 2025-26

  1. The University College London Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) defines the underpinning structures of all Programmes leading to taught and research Qualifications at UCL.
  2. All UCL Qualifications and Programmes of Study must be aligned with the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
  3. The QCF is a constituent part of the UCL Academic Manual which forms the basis of the contract between students and UCL.

Contents

1.1 Purposes

  1. The main purposes of the QCF are:
  2. To promote a shared and common understanding of UCL Qualifications
  3. To promote consistency in the use of Qualifications and credit across UCL faculties and departments
  4. To provide a reference point for setting and assessing academic standards when designing, approving, monitoring and reviewing Programmes of Study and Modules
  5. To ensure that UCL Qualifications are of an academic standard at least consistent with the standards referred to in the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
  6. To communicate to employers, schools, parents, prospective students, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) and other stakeholders the achievements represented by the Qualifications of UCL
  7. To inform international comparability of academic standards.

1.2 Reference Points

  1. The Qualifications and Credit Framework is drafted with reference to the following:
    1. The Office for Students regulatory framework for higher education in England.
    2. The UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
    3. The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ)
    4. The Higher Education Credit Framework for England: Guidance on Academic Credit Arrangements in Higher Education in England
    5. The Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (FQ-EHEA)
    6. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) under the Bologna Declaration
    7. The QAA Degree characteristics statements, including the Doctoral Degree Characteristics, the Masters Degree Characteristics and the Foundation Degree Characteristics
    8. The requirements of Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) associated with particular Programmes of Study, some of which grant a licence to practise.

1.3 Key to Abbreviations

  • APL: Accredited Prior Learning
  • ECTS: European Credit Transfer System
  • EPL: Experiential Prior Learning
  • FE: Further Education
  • FHEQ: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
  • FQ-EHEA: Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area
  • FTE: Full Time Equivalent
  • HE: Higher Education
  • HEI: Higher Education Institution
  • PSRB: Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body
  • QAA: Quality Assurance Agency 3
  • QCF: Qualifications and Credit Framework
  • QTS: Qualified Teacher Status
  • RPL: The Recognition of Prior Learning

See also Section 2: The Qualifications of UCL for qualification abbreviations.