Summary of ASCED Criteria

ASCED comprises two classifications - Level of Education and Field of Education.

The level of education is defined as a function of the quality and quantity of learning involved in an educational activity.

Level of Education is measured operationally in terms of the following criteria:

• the theoretical and vocational orientation of the educational activity;
• the minimum entry requirements for the educational activity; and
• the programme length or notional duration of the educational activity.

Theoretical/Vocational Orientation

The theoretical/vocational orientation of an educational activity is measured in terms of the balance between theoretical, vocational, factual, and practical learning.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements refer to the minimum level of knowledge, understanding and skill required to successfully undertake an educational activity at that level.

Notional Duration

The programme length or notional duration is the expected length of time necessary to successfully acquire the requisite knowledge and skills.

The field of education is defined as the subject matter of an educational activity.

Field of Education is measured operationally in terms of the following criteria:

• theoretical content;
• purpose of learning;
• objects of interest;
• methods and techniques; and
• tools and equipment.

Theoretical Content

The theoretical content refers to the ideas and concepts involved in an educational activity, and can be defined as that part of the subject matter which links facts together to explain other facts and predict outcomes.

Purpose of Learning

The purpose of learning refers to the ultimate aim of the skills and knowledge gained from an educational activity.

Objects of Interest

The objects of interest are the phenomena, problems or entities studied.

Methods and Techniques

The methods and techniques are the specific procedures for applying skills and knowledge.

Tools and Equipment

The tools and equipment are the instruments and implements used to apply the methods and techniques learned.