What are Characteristic Statements?
Characteristic Statements also set out what can normally be expected of a graduate in terms of what they may know, understand and be able to do when they receive a particular award. This is important because it helps awarding bodies ensure their qualifications are aligned with agreed sector expectations and consistent with European higher education standards.
Who uses them?
Characteristic Statements are used by:
- Degree-awarding bodies – to design new courses and review or revalidate existing provision. They provide clear information about the distinctive features and structures of different qualification types, from the early stages of undergraduate study through to doctoral level.
- Students and graduates – to understand what a qualification represents and what it enables them to do
- Employers and education providers – to compare qualifications and understand how they align across the UK and the European Higher Education Area They support recognition, comparability and portability of qualifications.
Why is QAA updating its Characteristics Statements?
We’re updating them to use internationally recognised terms such as short cycle, first cycle and second cycle, making them clearer and easier to compare. We’ve also simplified the structure and language so each statement shows how the qualification compares with others and how it fits with the European Bologna Framework - a Europe-wide system that organises degrees into bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
A complete and refreshed set of statements covering awards from Levels 4 and 7 through to Levels 8 and 12 will not only support national skills policies but also help provide a clearer pathway of attainment for lifelong learners. The inclusion of a short plain‑English summary for each statement will make the information more accessible, transparent and useful for students, employers and policymakers.
When will this happen?
