Qualifications + Standards

Qualifications | National Occupational Standards | European Language Portfolio | Common European Framework | Languages Ladder

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National Occupational Standards


Languages | Interpreting | Translation | Intercultural Skills

National Occupational Standards (NOS) are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in employment. They are developed by Sector Skills Councils and Standards Setting Bodies, working in collaboration with employers, experts and stakeholders across the UK.

National Occupational Standards can be used to:

  • describe good practice in particular areas of work
  • create job descriptions and professional development plans
  • design training courses
  • form the basis of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)

    • CILT, the National Centre for Languages is the UK Standards Setting Body for languages, responsible for maintaining and developing National Occupational Standards in languages for work and Standards for the specialist language professions, interpreting and translation. These have been created through a long process of consultation with language professionals and employers, and are approved by the UK regulatory authorities.

    CILT is currently leading a project to develop new National Occupational Standards in intercultural skills.

    To find out about nationally recognised qualifications based on the Standards, go to our Qualifications page.

    For guidance on careers in interpreting and translating, see Languages Work.

    To find out more about UK National Occupational Standards, visit www.ukstandards.org.uk.