What is the Polish Qualifications Framework?
Since 2016, the Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF) symbol has appeared on school certificates and higher education diplomas. It is also increasingly used on other documents confirming the award of a qualification, such as certificates. Do you know what it means?
The PQF symbol on a school certificate, diploma or certificate indicates that the holder has achieved learning outcomes at a specific level and that these outcomes have been verified.
The higher the PQF level, the more demanding the requirements in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences. What exactly do these requirements involve? Each PQF level is defined by a set of descriptors.
How many levels does the PQF have?
The Polish Qualifications Framework – like the European Qualifications Framework – has 8 levels.
Find out more about the Polish and European Qualifications Frameworks in the animation.
How are levels differentiated in the PQF?
| Graphic symbol for partial qualifications | Graphic symbol for full qualifications | Level descriptors |
 |  | very simple tasks carried out according to detailed instructions and under direct supervision |
 |  | simple tasks carried out according to general instructions and under guidance |
 |  | moderately simple tasks carried out according to general instructions, with a degree of autonomy |
 |  | moderately complex tasks carried out partly without instructions and with autonomy |
 |  | tasks carried out without instructions, including managing a small team and assessing its performance |
 |  | performing tasks in innovative ways and making decisions independently |
 |  | developing and promoting appropriate ways of working and behaving in professional and social contexts, leading a group and taking responsibility for it |
 |  | solving research problems and contributing to the exchange of experience and ideas, including in an international environment |
Why were qualifications frameworks established?
The traditional – and increasingly outdated – division into three main levels of education (primary, secondary and higher education) is being replaced by a system in which qualifications are classified according to 8 levels described in the Polish Qualifications Framework. This also makes qualifications easier to understand and compare across the European labour market.
What does it mean that a qualification has an assigned PQF level?
Assigning a PQF level means that the knowledge, skills and social competences required for the award of the qualification correspond to the requirements of that specific PQF level.
Which qualifications have an assigned PQF level?
All school certificates and higher education diplomas are assigned a PQF level. For example, a primary school leaving certificate is assigned PQF level 2, a matriculation certificate (świadectwo dojrzałości) – PQF level 4, and a first-cycle degree diploma – PQF level 6.
Other qualifications, including those awarded after completing a course or training programme, may also be assigned a PQF level. Check which qualifications with an assigned PQF level are included in the Integrated Qualifications System.
Who determines the PQF level for a qualification?
The PQF levels of school certificates and higher education diplomas are specified in the Act on the Integrated Qualifications System. For other qualifications, the PQF level is assigned by the relevant minister on the basis of recommendations from a panel of experts or – in the case of postgraduate qualifications – by the authorities of the higher education institution.
What determines the PQF level of a given qualification?
The PQF level is determined by analysing the learning outcomes – knowledge, skills and social competences – required for a given qualification.
Which PQF level can be assigned to a qualification awarded by an entity other than a school or higher education institution?
Qualifications awarded, for example, by sectoral associations and training companies can be assigned a PQF level from 1 to 8.
Where can you check the PQF level of a given qualification?
The PQF level of a qualification is shown on the relevant school certificate, diploma or certificate.
You can also check the PQF level of individual qualifications in the Integrated Qualifications Register.
Want to know more?
- Use the Qualification Frameworks Browser to compare the requirements for different levels.
- Download tables containing PQF descriptors:
- universal descriptors (levels 1 to 8)
- descriptors typical of qualifications of a general nature (levels 1 to 4)
- descriptors typical of qualifications of a vocational nature (levels 1 to 8)
- descriptors typical of qualifications obtained after achieving a full qualification at level 4 (level 5)
- descriptors typical of qualifications obtained within higher education (levels 6 to 8)
- Read the PQF User Guide
- Learn how experts assign a PQF level to a qualification
- Talk to the Zeterka chatbot about the PQF
- Download PQF graphic symbols
Discover Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks