• HQF is a structure of eight levels, defined by level descriptors.
• HQF is a comprehensive and integrated framework, designed to relate to qualifications awarded for
  • all learning, whether acquired through formal, non-formal or informal processes, or through learning
  • all learning, whether acquired through formal, non-formal or informal processes, or through learning
• In the HQF, the statements that define the levels are completely neutral in terms of fields of learning.
• In the HQF the level descriptors are designed to be read across all strands of learning outcomes, and aspects of each strand are sometimes elaborated or clarified in other strands; also, the outcomes for a given level build on and subsume the outcomes of the levels beneath.
• In the HQF, key words or phrases are introduced as ‘threshold’ or distinguishing factors in the description of learning outcomes at each level.
• Taking all of the above into account, it can be concluded that the HQF and the EQF share core design criteria and this indicates that a direct comparison of the levels in the two frameworks is feasible.

Points of differentiation between the HQF and the European Qualifications Framework

• The structure of the European Qualifications Framework is simpler compared to the Hellenic Qualifications Framework, as the latter introduces an additional series of "Types of qualifications".
• The level descriptors of the HQF are more elaborate compared to the ones of the EQF.