National Qualification Framework
The NQF is an instrument for classifying qualifications according to their levels. The following table help you understand the allocation of qualifications’ titles across levels on the NQF and briefly describing each.
You can check out the NQF Credit Framework in the NQF Handbook for more information about the qualifications’ description.
Acadmic
NQF Level
Vocational
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Doctoral Degree
Doctoral Degree sits on level 10 of the NQF with majority of credits at level 10 of the NQF. Credit: Majority of Credits at level 10.
10
Graduates at this level demonstrate detailed critical knowledge and understanding of leading principal and specialised theories, principles and concepts. Graduates will have extensive detailed and often leading knowledge of one or more specialisations generated through personal research or investigative work that makes a significant contribution to existing knowledge and practice. They will have the ability to improvise and use a combination of approaches to critically analyse, evaluate and/or synthesise complex ideas and information to develop creative and original responses to problems and issues. In addition, they will use a significant range of professional skills to communicate at an appropriate level to a range of audiences and adapt communication to context and purpose. Finally, at this level, graduates will operate as experts in variable contexts that are complex, unpredictable and not clearly defined; with sole responsibility and accountability for the outcomes.
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Master’s Degree
Master’s Degree sits on level 9 of the NQF and should be a minimum of 120 NQF credit provided it must include thesis defense. Credit: Minimum of 120 credits in total and at least 85% of total credits at level 9 or above.
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Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Diploma is a continuation to the HE and requires learner to have a bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate Diploma sits on Level 9 of the NQF and has a volume of learning of a minimum of 72 NQF credit. Credit: Minimum of 72 credits in total and at least 85% of total credit at level 9 or above.
9
Graduates at this level will demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding for specialist theories, principles and concepts; as well as using professional level of problem-solving skills dealing with complex and unpredictable situations. Graduates are able to critically analyse standard and specialised research methods and/or investigative techniques; in addition, they are able to demonstrate professional levels of problem- solving skills. They will use professional skills to select appropriate means to communicate with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise; in addition to operating at a professional level in complex contexts.
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Professional Award L9
Professional Awards Level 9 of the NQF and have similar standards to those externally accredited. These are at higher level of a specific profession and come as part of a career path for the purpose of extending or broadening knowledge and professional skills. These should be aligned to international standards relevant to the profession and national standards. Credit: Minimum of 12 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 9 or above.
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Bahrain Vocational Qualifications
Bahrain Vocational Qualifications (BVQs) are competence-based qualifications which are delivered and assessed in the workplace.
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Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s Degree sits on level 8 of the NQF and have a minimum learning volume of 480 NQF credit. Credit: Minimum of 480 in total and at least 25% of total credit at level 8 or above, should not include more than 20% of total credit at level 5.
8
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyse /or synthesise information, concepts, skills and practices in a subject/discipline to identify issues and/or problems. Graduates will use special skills to communicate with peers, senior colleagues and specialists, as well as making formal presentations about specialised topics. They will operate at a specialist level; in variable contexts that have some unpredictability; in defined and undefined areas of work; with significant responsibility for the work of others.
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Professional Award L8
Professional Awards Level 8 of the NQF and have similar standards to those externally accredited. These are at higher level of a specific profession and come as part of a career path for the purpose of extending or broadening knowledge and professional skills. These should be aligned to international standards relevant to the profession and national standards.Credit: Minimum of 12 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 8 or above.
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Associate Degree
The Associate Degree is an academic qualification which provides learners with the opportunity to leave university/college with a recognized qualification (exit qualification) allowing them to rejoin a HE programme leading to a Bachelor’s degree. This qualification sits on level 7 of the NQF and should have a learning volume extending to a minimum of 360 NQF credits. Credit: Minimum of 360 in total and at least 35% of total credit at level 7 or above, should not include more than 15% of total credit at a level below level 6.
7
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the core theories, principles and some research methods. They will use some specialist level skills to plan and organise advanced level tasks. Graduates will use advanced skills to communicate clearly in a well-structured manner to convey complex information and ideas to the level of the target audience. Moreover, graduates at this level operate at an advanced level in defined and some undefined areas of work; with some responsibility for work of others and accountability for personal and group outcomes.
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Higher National Diploma
Higher National Diploma (HND) extends the pathway for vocational qualifications and sits on Level 7 of the NQF with minimum of 240 NQF credit. HNDs are a higher level to ND and are designed to provide learners with theoretical knowledge with emphasis on practical skills in a particular discipline/area in the vocational sector. Credit: Minimum of 240 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 7 or above.
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Professional Award L7
Professional Awards Level 7 of the NQF and have similar standards to those externally accredited. These are at higher level of a specific profession and come as part of a career path for the purpose of extending or broadening knowledge and professional skills. These should be aligned to international standards relevant to the profession and national standards. Credit: Minimum of 12 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 7 or above.
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Diploma
Diploma (Academic) sits on level 6 of the NQF and has a minimum duration of 240 NQF Credit. These qualifications can cover a wide range of subject areas while can also be focused on a certain discipline. Credit: Minimum of 240 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 6 or above.
6
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding embedded in the main theories, principles and concepts. To some extent, they are able to use advanced skills to plan and organise familiar and new tasks, complete routine, non-routine and some advanced level tasks, as well as communicating clearly in a well-structured manner to convey complex information and ideas. Graduates at this level should be able to operate in familiar and unfamiliar contexts; in defined areas of work and/or application of resources; with independence taking responsibility for the nature and quality of output.
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National Diploma
National Diploma (ND) sits on level 6 of the NQF and typically has minimum of 120 NQF Credits. It is designed to provide learners with theoretical knowledge with emphasis on practical skills in a particular discipline/area in the vocational sector. Such qualifications should be linked to the NOS. Credit: Minimum of 120 in total and at least 75% of total credit at level 6 or above.
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Award L6
Award L6, the title ‘Award’ covers the range of qualifications under the category of MLSD short courses entitled: “Local Achievement” of 60 contact hours. Awards should be designed to develop skills and knowledge in the vocational and training sector. Credit: Maximum of 60 hours equivalent in NQF credit and at least 50% at level 6 or above. Currently, MLSD allows for more than 60 contact hours with pre-approval and cannot be offered until placed on the NQF.
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Advanced Graduation Qualifications
Advanced Graduation Qualifications are designed to include higher level specialized subjects at level 5 of the NQF providing one step further to entering Higher Education undergraduate programmes with a chance of exemption from year one equivalent subjects. Typical the volume of learning is 3 years from Grade 9 equivalent. Credit: Minimum of 1 year at level 5 and should not include any credits at level 3 or below.
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Foundation Year
The range of Higher Education (HE) academic qualifications offered in the Kingdom of Bahrain starts with the Foundation Year (Academic) which sits on level 5 of the NQF and has a minimum duration of 120 NQF Credit. These qualifications can cover a range of subject areas while can also be focused on a certain discipline. Credit: minimum of 120 in total at least 50% at level 5 or above.
5
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate generalised knowledge and understanding of a wide range of facts and ideas. They are able to use basic skills to plan and organise familiar and new tasks; relate to the main theories and concepts; as well as, completing routine and non-routine tasks. Moreover, they are able to respond to familiar and unfamiliar communication and with some guidance graduates will obtain, organise and use information; solve problems; draw conclusions and suggest solutions in defined situations. Finally, operating with some guidance in familiar and unfamiliar contexts; in carrying out defined tasks; with independence taking responsibility for the nature and quality of output.
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Advanced Certificate
Advanced Certificates are prospect to provide progression pathway/route and must be linked to the NOS and directly related to a vocational discipline/area. Credit: Minimum of 120 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 5 and above.
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Award L5
Award L5, the title ‘Award’ covers the range of qualifications under the category of MLSD short courses entitled: “Local Achievement” of 60 contact hours. Awards should be designed to develop skills and knowledge in the vocational and training sector. Credit: Maximum of 60 hours equivalent in NQF credit and at least 50% at of total credit level 5 or above. Currently, MLSD allows for more than 60 contact hours with pre-approval and cannot be offered until placed on the NQF.
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School Graduation Qualification
School Graduation Qualification; Grade 12 (Secondary School Certificate), or equivalent in private schools, are the basic pivot to entering HE programmes. These are designed to provide general background in several disciplines to prepare learners to pursue further/tertiary education and have a typical volume of 3 years of study to achieve Level 4 of the NQF.Credit: Maximum of 10% at level 5, Minimum of 80% at level 4 and Maximum of 10% at level 3.
4
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of a range of facts and ideas. They are able to use basic skills to plan and organise familiar tasks; relate to some of the main theories and concepts, and with minimal support graduates use problem solving approaches to deal with familiar and unfamiliar situations and make generalisations and draw conclusions in defined situations. Also, they can use basic skills to produce and respond to familiar detailed communication; interpret and use routine, numerical and graphical data that has a little complexity. Finally, graduates are able to operate under minimal supervision in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts.
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Certificate 4
Certificates 4 are prospect to provide progression pathway/route and must be linked to the NOS of Bahrain and directly related to a vocational discipline/area. Credit: Minimum of 120 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 4 or above.
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Award L4
Award L4, the title ‘Award’ covers the range of qualifications under the category of MLSD short courses entitled: “Local Achievement” of 60 contact hours. Awards should be designed to develop skills and knowledge in the vocational and training sector. Credit: Maximum of 60 hours equivalent in NQF credit and at least 50% at of total credit level 4 or above. Currently, MLSD allows for more than 60 contact hours with pre-approval and cannot be offered until placed on the NQF.
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Intermediate Certification
Intermediate Certification Qualification is defined as Grade 9 in accordance with Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum/system or equivalent in private schools’ curriculum. Intermediate Certification sits on Level 3 of the NQF and designed to provide a stepping stone to School Graduation Qualifications and VET qualifications. Credit: Maximum of 5% at level 4, Minimum of 80% at level 3 and Maximum of 15% at level 2.
3
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of simple facts and ideas in a subject, with some prompting, little support and supervision, they are able to use a few basic skills to undertake familiar and routine tasks to deal with a situation or issue. Also, using simple skills to respond to simple but detailed communication; graduates are able to access features of familiar applications to obtain information and process uncomplicated numerical and graphical data.
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Certificate 3
Certificates 3 are prospect to provide progression pathway/route and must be linked to the NOS of Bahrain and directly related to a vocational discipline/area. Credit: Minimum of 120 in total and at least 50% of total credit at level 3 or above.
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Award L3
Award L3, the title ‘Award’ covers the range of qualifications under the category of MLSD short courses entitled: “Local Achievement” of 60 contact hours. Awards should be designed to develop skills and knowledge in the vocational and training sector. Credit: Maximum of 60 hours equivalent in NQF credit and at least 50% at of total credit level 3 or above. Currently, MLSD allows for more than 60 contact hours with pre-approval and cannot be offered until placed on the NQF.
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Access 2
Access qualification allow learners who require special education support and learners who have no formal qualifications to complete their learning across potential possible pathways.
2
Graduates at this level will be able to: demonstrate elementary knowledge and understanding of simple facts and ideas. As well as, carrying out, with guidance, some familiar, pre-planned tasks. With support graduates are able to use well-defined stages for solving problems and by using elementary skills can develop and respond to simple communication; carry out simple tasks to access information and process data; in addition of interpreting familiar numerical and graphical data.
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Certificate 2
Certificate 2 would be advantageous specifically for special needs qualifications with the purpose of including them in the system and provide them with access to a progressive route. Credit: Starting from 60 to 120 credits in total and should have maximum of 50% at level 2 or above.
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Access 1
Access qualification allow learners who require special education support and learners who have no formal qualifications to complete their learning across potential possible pathways.
1
Graduates at this level will be able to demonstrate elementary knowledge of some simple facts. With encouragement and support, they can use simple skills to complete every day simple and well-defined tasks, as well as, using well-defined stages to solve simple uncomplicated problems and identify consequences of actions or inaction. Moreover, with support, they are able to use simple skills to develop and respond to very simple written and/or oral communication and with supervision they can operate every day and well-defined context.
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Certificate 1
Certificate 1 would be advantageous specifically for special needs qualifications with the purpose of including them in the system and provide them with access to a progressive route. Credit: starting from 60 to 120 credits in total and should have maximum of 25% at level 2.