TU Dublin Awards

The National Framework of Qualifications is a 10-level system of standards that describes Irish education and training awards. At each level a set of programme outcomes defines what a learner needs to know, understand and be able to do to achieve an award that that level. TU Dublin issues awards from Level 6 to Level 10 on the NFQ, and in exceptional circumstances and to provide access to Higher Education, the University may deliver programmes leading to awards at levels lower than NFQ Level 6.

The NFQ also defines four different types of awards: Major and three non-major awards - Minor, Special-Purpose and Supplemental.

Major awards are the main class of award made at an NFQ level and have a larger volume and breadth associated with them than the non-major awards. TU Dublin currently has seven major award types from Level 6 to Level 10 on the NFQ, as shown in the Table below.

NFQ Level	Major Award	ECTS Credits
6	Higher Certificate	120
7	Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree	180
8	Higher Diploma Honours Degree	60-120 180-240
9	Postgraduate Diploma Master’s Degree	60 90-120
10	Doctorate

Further information on TU Dublin award levels and type can be found in the University’s Award Framework & Nomenclature Policy. Having our award on the NFQ means that TU Dublin awards internationally. All TU Dublin awards are listed in the Irish Register of Qualifications. The NFQ is aligned with the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). Having our awards aligned with these two frameworks makes it easier for students, graduates and employers to compare qualifications across Europe.

Further information on the NFQ can be found on the Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) website. QQI is the state agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training in Ireland.