Levels and learning outcome descriptors

The NQF levels are formulated on the basis of what a person know, can do and is capable of doing as a result of a learning process. The outcomes of the completed learning process are described in the categories “knowledge”, “skills” and “general competences”.

The categories describing learning outcomes include:

Knowledge: Understanding of theories, facts, principles, procedures in subject areas and/or occupations.

Skills: Ability to utilise knowledge to solve problems or tasks (cognitive, practical, creative and communication skills).

General competence: Ability to utilise knowledge and skills in an independent manner in different situations.

Level 1 is not part of the NQF, and is therefore not included in this overview.

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has a basic knowledge of important facts and concepts in and across subjects
    – has knowledge of fundamental political, social, cultural and environmental conditions
    – has a basic knowledge about the use of sources, about how information can be obtained, documented, assessed and applied
    – has a basic understanding of learning how to learn
    – is familiar with different educational choices and occupations

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can express him/herself verbally and in writing, read, is numerate and can use digital tools in the school work context
    – can present topics in Norwegian/Sami and at least one foreign language
    – can use experience, creativity and exploratory work methods to acquire new knowledge
    – can use practical-aesthetical work methods in several subject areas
    – can reflect on his/her own participation in different media
    – can express him/herself verbally and in writing, read, is numerate and can use digital tools in the school work context
    – can present topics in Norwegian/Sami and at least one foreign language
    – can use experience, creativity and exploratory work methods to acquire new knowledge
    – can use practical-aesthetical work methods in several subject areas
    – can reflect on his/her own participation in different media

    General competense

    The candidate ...

    – can make use of his/her knowledge and experience to participate in a democratic and inclusive society
    – can cooperate with others in both the work/school and social context
    – can discuss and assess others and his/her own school work under supervision
    – can make independent choices, state the reasons for them and act on the basis of them

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of important facts and concepts in his/her own subject/subject area
    – has knowledge of work methods, procedures and tools in one or more limited subjects/subject areas
    – is aware of relevant regulations and quality requirements
    – has an understanding of his/her own educational and work opportunities

    Skils

    The candidate ...

    – can communicate and express him/herself in his/her own subject/subject area
    – can use relevant technology to solve subject-specific tasks
    – can receive and follow instructions and carry out specific tasks within the subject area
    – can be creative when carrying out tasks
    – can search for and use information from different sources to further his/her development in relation to future work and/or education

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can cooperate with others in the performance of work and utilise relevant skills and knowledge
    – can initiate and carry out limited tasks
    – can seek and accept guidance in relation to concrete tasks and own vocational development

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of relevant concepts, models and principles in the subject area
    – has knowledge of, and has an overview of materials, equipment and work methods, and can give reasons for his/her choices
    – has the experience-based knowledge required to practise in the vocational field
    – has insight into the importance and historical development of the trade/occupation in a societal perspective
    – has knowledge of relevant regulations, standards, agreements and quality requirements
    – has knowledge of different learning strategies and can utilise them in his/her own learning
    – has an understanding of his/her own educational and work opportunities

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can systematise, present and report on planned and completed work
    – can carry out calculations and assess consequences
    – can solve vocational challenges in a critical and creative manner, alone or in cooperation with others
    – can use relevant concepts, principles, materials and equipment in his/her work
    – can communicate in at least one foreign language
    – can assess and choose work methods for solving subject-specific tasks
    – can be creative when planning and performing work
    – can carry out work in accordance with the applicable regulations, standards, agreements and quality requirements
    – can analyse and assess different types of sources of relevance to his/her own work

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can use his/her own vocational competence in new and complex contexts
    – can work independently and take responsibility for ensuring that work is carried out with the required craftsmanship and in accordance with legislation, regulations and established ethical standards in the trade/field in question
    – can cooperate and communicate with colleagues, customers and/or users when carrying out his/her work
    – can guide others in their work
    – can document and assess others’ work and own work in connection with planning, organising, work performance and results
    – can reflect on his/her own vocational competence as the basis for future choices
    – an initiate tasks and activities that promote his/her own learning and development

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of important facts, concepts, theories, principles and methods in different subjects
    – has the experience-based knowledge required to practise different subjects
    – has insight into how academic issues relate to society as a whole
    – has knowledge of different learning strategies and can apply them in his/her own learning
    – has an understanding of his/her own educational and work opportunities

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can express him/herself verbally and in writing in different academic contexts
    – can read, is numerate and can use digital tools and media to solve academic challenges in a critical and creative manner, alone or in cooperation with others
    – can use academic terminology in communication and cooperation
    – can communicate in at least two foreign languages
    – can apply relevant methods, principles and strategies to solve subject-specific tasks
    – can explore, analyse, formulate and discuss different issues
    – can analyse and assess different types of sources

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can use his/her own academic competence in new and complex contexts
    – can plan and organise work, independently and in cooperation with others
    – can use his/her academic knowledge and skills to develop knowledge together with others
    – can guide others to a certain extent in academic situations
    – can assess the quality of and take responsibility for the results of his/her own and joint work
    – can reflect on his/her own academic competence as the basis for future choices

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of concepts, processes and tools that are used in a specialised field of work
    – has insight into relevant regulations, standards, agreements and quality requirements
    – has a knowledge of the industry and is familiar with the field of work
    – can update his/her vocational knowledge
    – understands the importance of his/her own trade/discipline in a societal and value-creation perspective

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can apply vocational knowledge to practical and theoretical problems
    – masters relevant vocational tools, materials, techniques and styles
    – can find information and material that is relevant to a vocational problem
    – can study a situation and identify subject-related issues and what measures need to be implemented

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – understands the ethical principles that apply in the trade/ field of work
    – has developed an ethical attitude in relation to the practising of his/her discipline
    – can carry out work based on the needs of selected target groups
    – can build relations with his/her peers, also across discipline boundaries, and with external target groups
    – can develop work methods, products and/or services of relevance to practising the discipline

  • Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of concepts, theories, models processes and tools that are used in a specialised field of work
    – can assess his/her own work in relation to the applicable norms and requirements
    – is familiar with the history, traditions, distinctive nature and place in society of the trade/discipline
    – has insight into his/her own opportunities for development

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can explain his/her vocational choices
    – can reflect over his/her own vocational practice and adjust it under supervision
    – can find and refer to information and vocational material and assess its relevance to a vocational issue

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can plan and carry out vocational tasks and projects alone or as part of a group and in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
    – can exchange points of view with others with a background in the trade/discipline and participate in discussions about the development of good practice
    – can contribute to organisational development

  • A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

    Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has knowledge of important topics, theories, problems, processes, tools and methods in the subject area
    – is familiar with research and development work in the field
    – can update his/her knowledge in the subject area
    – is familiar with the subject area’s history, traditions, distinctive nature and place in society

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can apply academic knowledge to practical and theoretical problems and explain his/her choices
    – can reflect on his/her own academic practice and adjust it under supervision
    – can find, assess and refer to information and academic material and relate it to an issue
    – masters relevant academic tools, techniques and styles

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – has insight into relevant ethical issues relating to the field/ profession
    – can plan and carry out tasks and projects alone or as part of a group and in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
    – can present important academic material such as theories, problems and solutions, both in writing and orally, as well as using other relevant forms of communication
    – can exchange opinions with others with a background in the field and participate in discussions concerning the development of good practice
    – is familiar with new ideas and innovation processes

  • A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

    Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has broad knowledge of important topics, theories, issues, processes, tools and methods within the academic field
    – is familiar with research and development work in the field
    – can update his/her knowledge in the field
    – has knowledge of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the academic field

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can apply academic knowledge and relevant results of research and development work to practical and theoretical problems and make well-founded choices
    – can reflect upon his/her own academic practice and adjust it under supervision
    – can find, evaluate and refer to information and scholarly subject matter and present it in a manner that sheds light on the problem
    – masters relevant scholarly tools, techniques and forms of communication

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – has insight into relevant academic and professional ethical issues
    – can plan and carry out varied assignments and projects over time, alone or as part of a group, and in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
    – can communicate important academic subject matters such astheories, problems and solutions, both in writing and orally, as well as through other relevant forms of communication
    – can exchange opinions and experiences with others with a background in the field, thereby contributing to the development of good practice
    – is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes

  • A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

    Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – has advanced knowledge within the academic field and specialized insight in a limited area
    – has thorough knowledge of the scholarly or artistic theories and methods in the field
    – can apply knowledge to new areas within the academic field
    – can analyze academic problems on the basis of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the academic field

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can analyze and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
    – can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
    – can use relevant methods for research and scholarly and /or artistic development work in an independent manner
    – can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can analyze relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems
    – can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects
    – can communicate extensive independent work and masters language and terminology of the academic field
    – can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public
    – can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes

  • A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

    Knowledge

    The candidate ...

    – is in the forefront of knowledge within his/her academic field and masters the field´s philosophy of science and/or artistic issues and methods
    – can evaluate the expediency and application of different methods and processes in research and scholarly and/or artistic development projects
    – can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the field

    Skills

    The candidate ...

    – can formulate problems, plan and carry out research and scholarly and/or artistic development work
    – can carry out research and scholarly and/or artistic research work of a high international standard
    – can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field

    General competence

    The candidate ...

    – can identify new relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
    – can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
    – can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
    – can participate in debates in the field in international forums
    – can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation