ABOUT
ISCED Framework Alignment
ISCED Framework Alignment
What ISCED Is
The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) is the taxonomy maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the classification of education programmes and levels. It was first adopted in 1976 and most recently revised in 2011.
ISCED provides a common vocabulary by which education programmes in different jurisdictions may be described, compared, and mutually recognised. Its purpose is to enable the reliable comparison of qualifications across borders.
WEQSC Alignment
WEQSC operates at ISCED Levels 2 and 3 within the ISCED 2011 classification, and aligns its qualification levels with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Bologna standards for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The WEQSC qualification levels are as follows:
| Level | EQF Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| L0 | Foundation Level | Preparatory qualification |
| L1 | EQF 1 | Basic secondary qualification |
| L2 | EQF 2 | Lower secondary qualification |
| L3 | EQF 3 | Intermediate secondary qualification |
| L4 | EQF 4 | University entrance requirement |
| L5 | EQF 5 | Advanced secondary qualification |
| L6 | EQF 6 | Higher secondary qualification |
| L7 | EQF 7 | Pre-tertiary qualification |
Operational Alignment
WEQSC's alignment with ISCED and EQF is not nominal. It is operational: every learning outcome in the WISE Curriculum Framework is mapped to an ISCED level and to the ISCED level-specific competency framework; every credential issued states the qualification level attained.
Streams at Level 4
At Level 4 (EQF 4) — the university entrance requirement — the WISE programme recognises three streams. An accredited school must offer at least one of the streams, and may offer more than one:
- Science Stream — Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Mathematics in lieu of Biology), English, and one elective;
- Humanities Stream — History, Geography, Economics, English, and one elective;
- Commerce Stream — Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, English, and Mathematics or an approved alternative.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Alignment
Each learning outcome in the WISE Curriculum Framework is expressed as a demonstrable competency and is mapped to both a qualification level and a competency category — knowledge, skills, or attitudes and values.
Each learning outcome is associated with at least one assessment instrument within the WISE examination or Internal Assessment. There is no learning outcome that is not assessed, and no assessment that does not test a stated outcome.
Periodic Review
WEQSC reviews its ISCED alignment whenever UNESCO revises ISCED, and in any event not less than once every five years. Credentials already issued are not affected by any revision of ISCED alignment. The qualification level stated on a credential at the date of issue remains the level for all purposes.
Conclusion
The alignment of the WISE system with ISCED, EQF, and Bologna standards ensures that WISE credentials are directly comparable with secondary qualifications in all jurisdictions within the European Higher Education Area and beyond.