Active NFQ Standards for HE
The NFQ’s major award-type descriptors are default standards for HE awards. These ‘generic standards’ apply in the absence of more specific NFQ awards standards.
The current list of standards, both generic and specific, can be found
here.
Some of the professional standards in this list are used by other bodies eg the architecture standards are used by the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) accreditation process across the whole HE system.
Active NFQ Guidelines for HE
Guidelines are developed as needed to help awarding bodies on the interpretation of the NFQ.
The HE Subject Guidelines as envisaged by the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 is an example of a guideline. It recommends that:
"Subject guidelines should be developed to support the National Framework of Qualifications. This work should be progressed by subject experts from the academic community and coordinated by the new Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland agency."
Development and Review
Organisations wishing to propose the development of new NFQ standards or guidelines, or the review of existing ones, can contact us
here.
