Spain: EQF referencing officially completed

The modern VET system allows citizens to plan their own learning itinerary, in a continuum from the shortest programmes leading to partial recognition of competences to those awarding certificates of competences, professional certificates, basic, intermediate or higher diplomas, and specialisation courses for intermediate or higher VET graduates.

EQF referencing milestone

A key achievement of this transformation was the completion of Spain’s formal qualifications referencing process to the European qualifications framework (EQF). This step improves qualification transparency and supports lifelong learning across Europe, making qualifications easier to understand for both individuals and employers.

Two qualification frameworks coexist in Spain. The latest Spanish qualifications framework for lifelong learning (MECU) covers the official qualifications and certifications of the Spanish non-university education and training system. The Spanish framework for higher education qualifications (MECES) refers to formal university qualifications. 

The MECU is structured in eight levels. The level descriptors are defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competences, and are inspired by the descriptors of the EQF for lifelong learning but adapted to the national context. 

The main objectives of the MECU include the following: 

• improve information on national qualifications to the public;
• contribute to better understanding of qualifications by describing them in terms of learning outcomes; 
• promote international mobility and recognition throughout the European Education Area; 
• support the identification, validation and recognition of all types of learning outcomes, including those related to non-formal and informal learning.

Qualifications at levels 1 to 5 correspond to pre-university education programmes, while qualifications at levels 6 to 8 correspond to higher education university programmes. Level 5 qualifications overlap in the two frameworks, MECU and MECES, as both refer to higher vocational training, which is non-university tertiary education.

Read more

• Strengthening the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• Marco Español de Cualificaciones (MECU) - Spanish qualifications framework for lifelong learning (MECU)