Abstract
This study has analysed the level descriptors of Higher Award degree programmes offered by a random sample of 15 colleges of nursing and midwifery in England. The analysis revealed a wide variation in the way each level (1, 2, 3 and M) had been defined. The variation occurred in a range of different ways. The main categories of variation were: the style of the descriptor; the features defined by the descriptor; the use of descriptors in the cognitive domain; the use of dimensions of professional knowledge and practice such as autonomy and reflective practice; and progression between the levels. The context of the study is described and the implications of the study and possible ways forward are discussed.

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