The European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015

Levels of qualification U.K.

27.  For the purpose of applying conditions for recognition under regulation 29, professional qualifications are grouped under the following levels—

(a) an attestation of competence issued by a competent authority of a relevant European State on the basis of either—

(i) a training course not forming part of a certificate or diploma within the meaning of paragraphs (b), (c), (d) or (e), or a specific examination without prior training, or full-time pursuit of the profession in another relevant European State for three consecutive years or for an equivalent duration on a part-time basis during the previous 10 years, or

(ii) general primary or secondary education, attesting that the holder has acquired general knowledge;

(b) a certificate attesting to a successful completion of a course of secondary education either—

(i) general in character, supplemented by a course of study or professional training other than that referred to in paragraph (c) and/or by the probationary or professional practice required in addition to that course, or

(ii) technical or professional in character, supplemented where appropriate by a course of study or professional training as referred to in sub-paragraph (i), and/or by the probationary or professional practice required in addition to that course;

(c) a diploma certifying successful completion of either—

(i) training at post-secondary level other than that referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) of a duration of at least one year or of an equivalent duration on a part-time basis, one of the conditions of entry of which is, as a general rule, the successful completion of the secondary course required to obtain entry to university or higher education or the completion of equivalent school education of the second secondary level, as well as the professional training which may be required in addition to that post-secondary course; or

(ii) regulated education and training or, in the case of a regulated profession, vocational training with a special structure with competences going beyond what is provided for at paragraph (b) equivalent to the level of training provided for under sub-paragraph (i), which provides a comparable professional standard and which prepares the trainee for a comparable level of responsibilities and functions provided that the diploma is accompanied by a certificate from the home state;

(d) a diploma certifying successful completion of training at post-secondary level of at least three and not more than four years' duration, or of an equivalent duration on a part-time basis, which may in addition be expressed with an equivalent number of ECTS credits, at a university or establishment of higher education or another establishment providing the same level of training, and that the applicant has successfully completed the professional training which may be required in addition to that post-secondary course;

(e) a diploma certifying that the holder has successfully completed a post-secondary course of at least four years' duration, or of an equivalent duration on a part-time basis, which may in addition be expressed with an equivalent number of ECTS credits, at a university or establishment of higher education or another establishment providing the same level of training, and that the applicant has successfully completed the professional training which may be required in addition to the post-secondary course.