NCP

What is Latvian Qualifications Framework and NCP?

The Latvian Qualifications Framework (LQF) is a state level referencing system where all qualifications awarded in the Latvian education system are arranged in eight levels considering the complexity of knowledge, skills and competences necessary to obtain particular qualification.

The national coordination points (NCP) are the national authority of education governance with relevant functions, which would provide support for and, in cooperation with other institutions and organizations, would supervise the referencing of national qualifications to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

The Academic Information Centre has acted as the Latvian National Coordination Point Since February 2008.

What are NCPs’ functions?

National Coordination Points have the following tasks:

• To reference existing national qualifications levels to the eight levels of the European Qualifications Framework;
• To ensure that a transparent methodology is used to reference the national qualifications levels to the EQF;
• To provide access to information and guidance to stakeholders concerning the issues how national qualifications relate to the EQF through the national qualifications frameworks or systems;
• To promote the participation of all relevant stakeholders on the comparison and use of qualifications at the European level in accordance with the national legislation and practice.

Where to get more information about qualifications frameworks?

The referencing of the Latvian qualifications to the European Qualifications Framework has been described in two reports – initial Self-Assessment Report in October 2011 and updated Self-Assessment Report in 2018. Both reports have been presented and discussed at the EQF Advisory Group (an expert group established by the European Commission), which shows that the process and procedures outlined in the reports are qualitative and correspond to international requirements and criteria. 

Referencing of the Latvian Education System to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area. Self-Assessment Report. 2012 (2nd version). Academic Information Centre and Ministry of Education and Science.

Latvijas izglītības sistēmas piesaiste Eiropas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūrai mūžizglītībai un Eiropas augstākās izglītības telpas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūrai. Pašvērtējuma ziņojums. 2012. gads (2. versija). Akadēmiskās informācijas centrs un Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija. (Latvian)

Referencing the Latvian Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for European Higher Education Area. Updated Self-Assessment Report. November 2018. Academic Information Centre.

Latvijas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūras pielīdzināšana Eiropas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūrai mūžizglītībai un Eiropas augstākās izglītības telpas kvalifikāciju ietvarstruktūrai. Atjaunotais pašvērtējuma ziņojums. 2018. gada novembris. Akadēmiskās informācijas centrs. (Latvian)

For more information about the European Qualifications Framework and other national qualifications frameworks visit Europass platform launched by the European Commission.