ACCA will be able to apply to bring the ACCA qualification into the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), following a change in legislation, in a move designed to enhance the qualification’s value to members.
The NFQ shows how general education awards, further education and training and higher education awards are mapped against the 10 levels of the framework (see boxout).
This new framework designation will provide ACCA with voluntary, regulated access to the NFQ
Currently, only statutory awarding bodies are included in the NFQ. These include QQI, the universities, technological universities, institutes of technology and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
QQI was established under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, which amalgamated several agencies. While previously qualifications issued by professional accountancy bodies could be deemed aligned to the NFQ, the new legislation no longer permitted this.
Regulatory body
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency with responsibility for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s tertiary education and training system and for providing trusted information on the qualifications included in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
QQI also promotes the use of the NFQ by awarding bodies, protects the reputation and integrity of the NFQ and ensures that the NFQ continues to be a trustworthy structure for establishing and comparing qualifications.
Listed Awarding Bodies
In 2019, amending legislation created Listed Awarding Bodies (LABs). These are professional, sectoral and international awarding bodies without statutory awarding powers in Ireland. This new framework designation will provide organisations such as ACCA with voluntary, regulated access to the NFQ.
While there is no mandatory requirement for an awarding body to become a LAB, the designation will enable it to make NFQ awards. This will bring several benefits, including strengthened external quality assurance, enhanced reputation of the organisation and its awards both nationally and internationally, and a link to the European Qualifications Framework.
Other benefits include improved employment opportunities for learners; improved access to additional study; and the ability to apply for and use recognition of prior learning.
Future plans
Applicant awarding bodies will soon be able to apply for LAB status. The application process will include a due diligence assessment of corporate fitness, submission of quality assurance procedures, and the submission of evidence to support the implementation of specific QQI policy and criteria.
Applicants will also submit evidence of awards for inclusion in the NFQ; only those approved by QQI will be included in the framework. All Framework awards will be communicated in terms of a level (from 1-10), an award type, a credit volume and learning outcomes. If approved, LABs and their awards will be published in the Irish Register of Qualifications. They will be required to engage in regular monitoring by QQI, will be subject to various conditions, and will undergo an effectiveness review at least once every seven years.
QQI is currently developing its policy and criteria to underpin the LAB scheme, and intends to publish documents for consultation in Q1 2023, with the scheme opening in September 2023.
Katrina Smyth, ACCA head of education recognition, says: ‘ACCA valued its previous alignment with Level 9 of the NFQ, and we are delighted there is now the opportunity for professional bodies to be recognised once again. We look forward to submitting our application once the scheme opens.’
National Framework of Qualifications
Established in 2003, the 10-level National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Additionally, the qualifications authorities in the UK and Ireland have agreed broad correspondence between frameworks across the five jurisdictions. A joint publication, Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries, offers a short guide to the broad comparable levels.
Bodies that offer the same qualifications in both the Ireland and the UK, which are already recognised in the UK’s national framework, can consult Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries or NARIC Ireland, which provides advice on the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills.
Read QQI’s explainer about the NFQ levels here.
