TVETipedia Glossary

Unit

Units are a set of learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and/or competences) which constitute a coherent part of a qualification. A unit can be the smallest part of a qualification that can be assessed, transferred, validated and, possibly, certified (such as in relation to ECVET). A unit can be specific to a single qualification or common to several qualifications.

Source:
CEDEFOP 2015: The role of modularisation and unitisation in vocational education and training

An alternative term for a ‘module’. Sometimes the term ‘module’ is used for a component of learning and teaching and ‘unit’ for a component of a qualification.

Source:
ILO, An Introductory Guide to National Qualifications Frameworks, 2007
ILO, An Introductory Guide to National Qualifications Frameworks, 2007
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(Glossary starting p. 63)
"There are surprisingly few documents which spell out, in a practical way, what an NQF can achieve realistically, what are the preconditions and potential pitfalls and how it can be developed. NQFs have been much discussed and with much enthusiasm, but it may be questioned whether their technical and institutional complexity are well understood.
This Guide attempts to respond to these concerns, and by doing so, to assist policy makers in making informed judgments as to whether and how they can pursue the development of an NQF in meeting the specific needs of their training systems."