National qualifications framework reaching operational status

Policy development
Regulation/Legislation
Denmark
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Timeline
  • 2015Implementation
  • 2016Implementation
  • 2017Implementation
  • 2018Implementation
  • 2019Implementation
  • 2020Implementation
  • 2021Implementation
  • 2022Implementation
  • 2023Implementation
  • 2024Implementation
ID number
28766

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

Setting up the eight-level framework has been a gradual process, starting in June 2009, when the proposal for the framework was adopted by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs. The Danish national qualifications framework for lifelong learning (NQF) was referred to the European qualifications framework (EQF) in May 2011. NQF and EQF levels have been included in most qualifications and qualification supplements since 2013.

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

In 2015-17, NQF and EQF levels continued to be added gradually to qualifications and certificates. The NQF and the levelling of qualifications thus became a visible part of national education databases. The framework is operational and forms an integral part of the Danish education and training landscape. Two (interconnected) websites are available: the nqf. dk website, which targets the international public; and the ug. dk website, which provides the national public with comprehensive information on qualifications, programmes and access. Teachers, trainers, adult educators and guidance practitioners are informed on the correspondence of VET programmes to the NQF/EQF-levels.

2015
Implementation
2016
Implementation
2017
Implementation
2018
Implementation
2019
Implementation

In 2019. there were no significant changes in the implementation of this initiative since 2018.

2020
Implementation

In 2020, this initiative was implemented. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no changes, but continued implementation, were observed.

2021
Implementation

This initiative was still under implementation in 2021, where the NQF and EQF levels were adapted to more VET programmes.

2022
Implementation

The Danish National qualifications framework (DK NQF) was operational and ran as regular practice.

2023
Implementation

The Danish National qualifications framework (DK NQF) was operational and ran as regular practice.

2024
Implementation

The Danish National qualifications framework (DK NQF) was operational and ran as regular practice.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • Ministry of Children and Education
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs
  • Ministry of Higher Education and Science
  • Ministry of Culture

Target groups

Those who are positively and directly affected by the measures of the policy development; those on the list are specifically defined in the EU VET policy documents. A policy development can be addressed to one or several target groups.

Learners

  • Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
  • Learners with migrant background, including refugees
  • Learners at risk of early leaving or/and early leavers
  • Learners with disabilities
  • Adult learners
  • Learners from other groups at risk of exclusion (minorities, people with fewer opportunities due to geographical location or social-economic disadvantaged position)

Education professionals

  • Teachers
  • Trainers
  • School leaders
  • Adult educators
  • Guidance practitioners

Entities providing VET

  • VET providers (all kinds)

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

Transparency and portability of VET skills and qualifications

European principles and tools, such as EQF, ESCO, ECTS, Europass and ECVET, provide a strong basis for transparency and portability of national and sectoral qualifications across Europe, including the issuing of digital diplomas and certificates.

This thematic category looks at how individuals are supported in transferring, accumulating, and validating skills and competences acquired in formal, non-formal and informal settings – including learning on the job – and in having their learning recognised towards a qualification at any point of their lives. This is only possible if qualifications are transparent and comparable and are part of comprehensive national qualifications frameworks. Availability of qualifications smaller than full and acquirable in shorter periods of time is necessary; some countries have recently worked on developing partial qualifications, microcredentials, etc.

Comprehensive national qualification frameworks

This thematic sub-category concerns all developments related to national qualification frameworks (NQFs). As in most countries NQFs are in place and referenced to the European qualifications framework (EQF), the thematic sub-category covers updating and expanding the frameworks, developing new qualifications and using NQFs as catalysts for other reforms.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
IVET
CVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.
The national qualifications framework
Website about the NQF targeting international public
Website about the NQF for the national public with comprehensive information on qualifications, programmes and access

Country

Denmark

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Regulation/Legislation
Cite as

Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). National qualifications framework reaching operational status: Denmark. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].

https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28766