Code of Practice

To ensure that the information and decisions made by UK ENIC are robust, a Code of Practice for recognition of international qualifications has been developed.

The Code of Practice has been developed initially by the UK ENIC team and the details of which have been tested and re-defined, first with the support from the UK ENIC Recognition Criteria Working Group and then with the support of the UK ENIC Quality Standards Group. More recently, the Code of Practice has been further developed linking the work of UK ENIC more closely to a clearly defined methodological process, designed to illustrate a model of good practice to ensure that international qualifications are better understood.

The UK ENIC model is based on the evaluation of learning outcomes achieved through all paths and progression routes. This approach makes it possible to recognise not only the various 'national awards' with their differing entry points and purposes but also international qualifications such as joint diplomas, which vary significantly from system-specific national awards.

The outcome-based approach to recognition of qualifications signals a gradual but also fundamental shift from a traditionally refined range of qualifications towards recognition of all lifelong learning and transnational education provision, moving away from the simple 'identity driven' mapping exercise of 'equivalent qualifications'. This also means that the model developed and applied by UK ENIC, identifies and redefines the key components essential in recognition of qualifications resulting in a broad mechanism bringing together a range of different processes. There are three elements forming part of the model, which are mutually reinforcing and provide a basis upon which the accurate assessment of international qualifications can be established. These include: