The EQF aims to relate different countries' national qualifications systems to a common European reference framework.
Individuals and employers will be able to use the EQF to better understand and compare the qualifications levels of different countries and different education and training systems.
(Italy) Matura (Spain) Bachillerato (Austria) HTL (Italy) Diploma ITS, (France) BTS, Classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles, BUT (Spain) Diplomado or Grado; (Italy) Laurea triennale (France) Licence Critical awareness of knowledge issues in a field and at the interface between different fields (Germany) Vocational university (Fachhochschule) Master's, Geprüfter Betriebswirt (IHK) (Certified Business Administrator); (Italy) Laurea Magistrale, Laurea vecchio ordinamento, Master universitario di primo livello;[3] (Spain) Licenciado or Máster;[4] (Portugal) Mestrado;[5] (Greece) AUA Diploma,[6] NTUA Diploma[7] (France) Master (Italy) Dottorato di ricerca, Master universitario di secondo livello.
This approach shifts the focus from the traditional system which emphasises 'learning inputs', such as the length of a learning experience, or type of institution.
This reflects a wider shift within which the EQF is acting as a catalyst for reforms: most Member States are now developing their own National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) based on learning outcomes.