What are Characteristics Statements?

Characteristics Statements are published for the benefit of the UK tertiary sector by QAA in its capacity as the expert quality agency for the UK. They are technical documents that describe the distinctive features and structures of different qualification types awarded at one or more levels of the qualifications frameworks. They describe the qualifications in terms of their purpose, general characteristics and generic outcomes, but do not include subject-level detail.

Characteristics Statements also define what can be expected of a graduate in terms of what they might know, do and understand when they receive a particular award. This is important as it helps awarding bodies align their qualifications not only with sector-agreed expectations but also with European standards.

Bachelor's degree programmes (for example) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland start at Level 4 (as do qualifications such as foundation degrees and higher national certificates) and run to Level 6 - and in Scotland from Level 7 to Level 10. Master's degrees run at Levels 7 and 11 respectively, and doctoral qualifications at Levels 8 and 12.

Who uses them?

Characteristics Statements are used by degree-awarding bodies as they design and develop new courses or review and revalidate existing courses. They provide information about the distinctive features and structures of different qualification types operating from the first level of undergraduate studies through to doctoral level.

They are also used by students and other interested parties (such as employers and future educational providers) who want to assure themselves of the standard of an award, its comparability with similar UK awards and its equivalence to other awards in the European Higher Education Area - allowing the broad recognition, portability and level-equivalence of qualifications.

Why is QAA updating its Characteristics Statements?

Our priority is to make sure that the statements remain useful and relevant across the tertiary sector and explain how they link to the wider suite of sector reference points curated by QAA.

We will adopt a consistent structure and language so that each statement makes clear how the award(s) that it describes differ from other qualifications at the same level or different levels of the qualifications framework and how it articulates with the European Bologna Framework.

A comprehensive set of statements covering awards from Level 4/7 to Level 8/12 of the qualifications framework will not only support national skills policies but also provide a clear scaffold of attainment for lifelong learners. By providing a short summary in plain English for each statement, we will make the information more accessible, transparent and useful for students, employers and policymakers.

How are the statements being revised?

To ensure that these latest versions of the statements are informed by current sector standards, we have contracted a consultant, Professor Elizabeth Cleaver, to work with us to draft the new and revised statements. Each statement will then be reviewed by a reference group drawn from the sector and made up of academics, quality professionals and students. Feedback from the reference groups will be integrated into the final versions before publication.

When will this happen?

We plan to convene the first reference group to review the Short-Cycle Characteristics Statement in the first quarter of 2026 for publication in May 2026.

Short-cycle courses are those in the equivalent to the first two levels of undergraduate study (such as HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees, certificates of higher education and diplomas of higher education), often used to provide vocational qualifications for employment or to support students' progression into the bachelor's degree level of undergraduate study.

Further statements covering bachelor’s awards, integrated master’s awards and master’s awards will be reviewed by reference groups in the second quarter of 2026 with a view to publication in September 2026. A statement covering doctoral awards will be developed in the second half of 2026.

How can I get involved?

We are seeking expressions of interest to join reference groups that will review all statements except doctoral awards. You can register your interest by completing this form, or send us an informal enquiry by emailing qualityandstandards@qaa.ac.uk.