The Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF) is a reference system for qualifications awarded in Poland. There are 8 levels in the PQF. Each of them is described by means of the general characteristics of the scope and complexity of knowledge, skills and social competence required from persons with a given level of qualifications. In the PQF, the typical characteristics of qualifications given in general, vocational and higher education are taken into account. The Polish Qualifications Framework makes it possible to refer Polish qualifications to the levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and through the EQF to the levels of qualifications in individual EU countries.
More information about the Polish Qualification Framework can be found on the websitehttp://www.kwalifikacje.gov.pl/o-zsk/polska-rama-kwalifikacji
Full and partial qualifications have been distinguished in Poland.
Full qualifications:
at the 1st level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- certificate of completion of a six-year primary school;
- first-cycle music school graduation certificate;
- six-year first-cycle general education music school graduation certificate;
at the 2nd level of the Polish Qualifications Framework they are confirmed by:
- lower secondary school graduation certificate,
- certificate of completion of an eight-year primary school;
at the 3rd* level of the Polish Qualifications Framework they are confirmed by:
- a diploma confirming vocational qualifications:
- after graduating from the basic vocational school or after fulfilling the conditions referred to in Art. 10 section 3 point 2 (a) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the system of education,
- after graduating from the first-cycle upper secondary trade school or after fulfilling the conditions referred to in Art. 10 section 3 point 2 (b) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the system of education – and after passing the examinations confirming the qualifications in the scope of a given profession,
- a journeyman’s certificate issued after completing a basic vocational school or a first-cycle upper secondary school and after passing relevant examinations in the professions referred to in Art. 3 section (b) of the Act of 22 March 1989 on crafts;
at the 4th* level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- a diploma confirming vocational qualifications:
- after graduating from the technical upper secondary school or postsecondary school or after fulfilling the conditions referred to in Art. 10 section 3 point 2 (d) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the system of education, or
- after graduating from the second-cycle upper secondary trade school or after fulfilling the conditions referred to in Art. 10 section 3 point 2 (c) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the system of education – and after passing the examinations confirming the qualifications in the scope of a given profession,
- an art school certificate confirming obtaining a professional tile,
- upper secondary school-leaving examination certificate;
at the 5th level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- a Teacher Training College graduation certificate;
- a Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages graduation certificate;
- a Social Workers College graduation certificate;
at the 6th* level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- first-cycle studies graduation diploma;
at the 7th level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- second-cycle studies graduation diploma and uniform master’s degree diploma,
at the 8th level of the Polish Qualification Framework they are confirmed by:
- doctoral certificate.
*exceptions to the 3rd and 4th level of the professional qualifications are included in the Regulation of the Minister of National Education on the classification of vocational education profession
Partial qualifications:
- qualifications distinguished within the professions included in the classification of vocational education professions;
- qualifications confirmed by master craftsman’s diplomas and the journeyman qualifications that are not listed in the Act on the IQS in Art. 8;
- qualifications awarded after completing post-graduate studies;
- qualifications awarded after completing other forms of university education, Polish Academy of Sciences institutes and research institutes;
- regulated qualifications – established by separate regulations, the broadcasting of which takes place on the principles specified in these regulations, excluding qualifications awarded in the education system and the higher education system;
- market qualifications – not regulated by legal regulations, the transmission of which takes place on the basis of freedom of economic activity.
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
“RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNCIL of 22 May 2017 on the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning and repealing the recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning” specifies common frameworks of reference for qualifications in EU countries. This framework is an instrument of translation that makes qualifications clearer and easier to understand in different countries and systems in Europe. Their main objectives include: promoting citizen’s mobility between countries and facilitating their lifelong learning.
European Qualifications Framework is a tool that helps to communicate and compare systems of qualifications in Europe. Eight reference levels are described in terms of learning results: knowledge, skills and competencies. Thanks to this fact, national qualifications systems, national qualifications framework (called NQF) and qualifications in Europe are referenced to the EQF levels. Learners, graduates, organisers of education and training and employers can better understand and compare qualifications awarded in different countries and in different education and training systems.
Full text of the recommendation https://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/sites/eac-eqf/files/pl.pdf