1. Comparability of Accredited Programmes in Malta
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

2. The Accreditation Process of the DQSE
The Accreditation Process of the DQSE is based on:
The standards dictated by the National Quality Assurance Framework for Further and Higher Education.
The Credit System as promoted by the Bologna Process and regulated by the Referencing Report 2016.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

3. The Credit System
In line with the principles of the Bologna Process credits be accredited and transferred.
This credit system provides a flexible path to obtain an award or a qualification aiding comparability and recognition.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

4. The Local Characteristics
Each credit in equivalent to 25 hours of total learning divided between: New Content, Supervised Practice, Self-study and Assessment.
Any accredited programme not meeting minimum number of Credits stipulated by the Referencing Report 2016 need to include the term Award in the Title.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

5. Minimum requirements for qualifications
MQF Level
Award
Qualification 4
Minimum of 120 3
0 – 59
Minimum of 60 2
0 - 59 1
0 - 39
Minimum of 40
Introductory A
0 - 29
Minimum of 30
Introductory B
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

6. Comparability of Level 3 Programmes
Considering the reputation of the GCSE and trust enjoyed by its regulatory Body (i.e. CCEA), the DQSE use it as a benchmark for the comparability exercise.
Our decision was based also on the role of the Prince Trust Program within the non-formal context.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

7. Main differences between MQF and QCF
Local Context
UK Context
Credit
25 total learning hours
10 guided learning hours
Total Learning Hours
Contact Hours, Supervised Practice, Self-Study, and Assessment
Referred to as Total Qualification Time, that incorporates 3 subgroup: Guided learning hours, self-study and assessment. Essentially equivalent to the local scenario.
Guided Learning Hours
Contact Hours, Supervised Practice, and formative Assessment carried out under supervision.
Estimated hours learners will be under immediate guidance and/or supervision,
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

8. Differences in Terminology
Local Context
UK Context
Award
Any accredited program that does not meet the minimum credit requirements as stipulated by the Reference Report 2016
Any accredited program having between 1 – 12 UK Credits, equivalent to Credits in the MQF.
Certificate
Document provided by the Awarding Institution testifying that the candidate has successfully completed the program.
Any program having between 13 – 36 UK credits, equivalent 7 – 13 credits in the MQF
Diploma
The term diploma can not be utilised in the Maltese context
Any program having more than 37 UK credits, equivalent to 13 credits in MQF
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

9. UK Qualification System - GCSE
CCEA indicates a value of 120 GLH for a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE),
The programmes are pegged at level 2 in the UK, equivalent to MQF level 3.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

10. Assumptions Based on General Education Programmes having:
Two lessons of 40 minutes per week.
Delivered over three years or 76 weeks (i.e. 28 weeks for Form 3 and Form 4, and 20 weeks for Form 5.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

11. Minimum Requirements of the DQSE
Awards/Qualifications accredited in Malta require, 101 guided learning hours and 225 hours of total learning hours to be considered comparable to the GCSE.
This is equivalent to 9 ECTS/ECVETS.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

12. Types of Programmes
The Maltese Educational system has four different types of programmes, namely: General Education, Applied Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Non-Formal Education.
The DQSE established different quality benchmarks for allocation of learning time based on the characteristics of the programme.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

13. Distribution of Learning Hours
Type of Programme
Contact time
Supervised Practice
Self-Study
Formative Assessment
Summative Assessment
GLH
No. of Credits
Academic
20 %
35 %
5 %
45 % 9
Vocational
25 %
10 %
55 %
Applied
50 %
85 %
Non Formal
60 %
15 %
0 %
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

14. Additional Considerations
The Accreditation Unit acknowledges that students following applied education as a specialisation (such as VPA or Sports) need to continue with the learning process beyond the scholastic year.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

15. Final Considerations
Any program accredited at MQF Level 3 that exceeds 9 Credits can be considered as comparable to 1 SEC or GCSE.
Specialised applied programme/s, in the fields of sports and VPA, at MQF Level 3 need to have a minimum of 18 Credits to be accredited. The DQSE deems these programs equivalent to 2 SEC or GCSE.
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017

16. Contact Details
For feedback & further information contact: Accreditation Unit phone no.:
dipartiment għalL-
KWALITA` u STANDARDS EDUKAZZJONI
FLORIANA VLT 2000
MALTA
department FOR
QUALITY AND STANDARDS IN EDUCATION
Floriana VLT 2000
May 2017