Referencing and Self-certification Report of the Hungarian Qualifications Framework to the EQF and to the QF-EHEA [antikvár]

I. INTRODUCTION The development of the Hungarian Qualifications Framework (HuQF) has been a long process starting from 2005. By this report Hungary is aiming at performing the tasks of the first milestone of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) referencing process so that the implementation phase can start. The report introduces the design of the framework with its descriptor categories, shows the history of development and the structure of responsibilities both in the developmental and in the future (implementation, maintenance) phase, the results of comparison between EQF and HuQF levels, the methodology of linking qualifications to HuQF levels, the main quality assurance measures and gives information on the involvement of social stakeholders as well. The report is supplemented with several annexes to support the better understanding, transparency and mutual trust by the inclusion of a glossary, examples on linking and descriptor categories, opinion written by the leaders of bodies responsible for quality assurance, illustrations showing processes in vocational and higher education, opinions of the international experts involved and the grid of the Hungarian Qualifications Framework. For those interested, further background materials are available on www.oktatas.hu/LLL/HuQF. The challenge of meeting different target groups' needs resulted in compiling two reports: 1. A comprehensive report in Hungarian and English mostly for Hungarian stakeholders: since several reforms took place in the last couple of years, this document gives more details on recent changes (differences between the former and the current regulation) in a much more legal jargon. 2. An abridged version written in English summarises the main points of the long report, concentrating less on the details of differences between the former laws and those in effect, rather focusing on the referencing and self-certification criteria, on concepts understandable for Hungarians but needing an explanation for other Member States' experts. Our aim with this report is twofold: on the one hand, by linking qualifications to HuQF levels, the report provides a feedback on the shortcomings of the Hungarian qualifications system, thereby giving an input for improvement; on the other hand, by showing not only the implementation but also the development process, we hope that trust in the Hungarian qualifications system will be strengthened in the European Union.