National Certificate

The National Certificate is a higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by higher institutions across the globe. Each country has its own specifications about the certificate.

Ireland

The National Certificate (Irish: Teastais Náisiúnta) was a two-year broadly based higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institute of Technology or a HETAC-designated institution in Ireland. The certificate generally exempts a student from the first year of a four-year university Bachelor's degree or the first two years of an ab initio National Diploma in Ireland. The certificates are often in business, engineering and science, with most entrants being school leavers and presenting a Leaving Certificate or similar educational achievement. Many students continue education and transfer to a National Diploma course or a Bachelor's degree.

The first National Certificates in Ireland were awarded in 1972 at five Regional Technical Colleges. Since June 2006 and the implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications, the National Certificate has been replaced by the Higher Certificate in a number of similar disciplines.

United Kingdom

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In the educational systems of England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Certificate is a standard vocational further education qualification. It is usually rated at Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework and is equivalent to A-level, BTEC Extended Diploma or NVQ Level 3 standard.

Scotland

National Certificate courses in Scotland are a one-year course offered by Technical Colleges. They are typically used to progress on to a Higher National Certificate or similar degree course, although a National Certificate is still a recognised qualification on its own.^[1]

Mauritius

In Mauritius, the National Certificate is a vocational qualification, with a level mapped to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

References

^ SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) - Kilmarnock College

[1] SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) - Kilmarnock College

[1]

v t e National qualifications frameworks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
For higher levels, compare with the FHEQ system.
Level 8	City & Guilds Fellowship
Level 7	City & Guilds Membership, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, National Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 6	City & Guilds Associateship, City & Guilds Graduateship, NEBOSH National Diploma, National Diploma, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 5	Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 4	City & Guilds Licentiateship, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 3	BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NEBOSH National General Certificate, Access to Higher Education Diploma, Advanced Extension Award, International Baccalaureate, Extended Project Qualification, Cambridge Pre-U, A-level, City & Guilds Advanced Craft (historical), Level 3 NVQ (historical), National Diploma* (historical), Ordinary National Certificate (historical), Advanced Diploma (historical)
Level 2	GCSE (grades 9–4 or A–C), Functional Skills (at Level 2), BTEC First Diploma, OCR Nationals, City & Guilds Craft (historical), Level 2 NVQ (historical), Skills for Life (historical)
Level 1	GCSE (grades 3–1 or D–G), BTEC Introductory Diploma, Introductory Certificate, Functional Skills (at Level 1), Level 1 NVQ (historical), Foundation Diploma (historical), Skills for Life* (historical)
Entry	Functional Skills (at Entry Level), Skills for Life* (historical),
* certain subjects fall under this level.