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Malta moves to create Europe-wide transparency on its qualifications

Malta has now linked its national qualifications to two common European reference schemes, the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area, which is part of the Bologna process for university reform in Europe. Both frameworks have been developed to make qualifications more transparent and comparable, in order to make it easier to work or study abroad in Europe, with a minimum of bureaucratic constraints and regardless of one's age.

The idea behind the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is to create a translation device between different qualifications systems and their levels that covers all sectors of education, including higher education and vocational training. Qualifications obtained in higher education – such as Masters or Bachelors – are addressed in detail by a separate framework that has been developed under the Bologna process. At the same time, however, they are an integral part of the overarching EQF, in which they correspond to the four highest of its eight levels.

EU Member States are invited to reference their national qualifications levels to the EQF by 2010. The referencing is done based on a set of common criteria and procedures, which is compatible with the criteria for self-referencing within the Bologna framework and is agreed within an advisory group that co-ordinates the implementation of the EQF at European level.

Malta is the first country to link its National Qualifications Framework simultaneously to both reference schemes. This process – marked by the publication of a referencing report – is the result of widespread consultations with national stakeholders and international partners.

To know more

• Malta Qualifications Council: Referencing of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF/EHEA)
• European Commission: The European Qualifications Framework [with background information and the text of the EQF Recommendation]