QualityLink Ontology and Application Profile
Creation date: 2025-02-13
Last updated: 2025-11-28
Version: 1.0.0-alpha
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher: https://quality-link.eu/
Feedback: https://github.com/Knowledge-Innovation-Centre/quality-link-specs
Imports : http://data.europa.eu/snb/model/elm/
Download serialization:
Last updated: 2025-11-28
Version: 1.0.0-alpha
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher: https://quality-link.eu/
Feedback: https://github.com/Knowledge-Innovation-Centre/quality-link-specs
Imports : http://data.europa.eu/snb/model/elm/
Download serialization:
Abstract
The QualityLink ontology and application profile build on the European Learning Model (ELM). They defines additional classes and properties to describe things not currently covered in ELM.
Table of Contents
- Namespaces
- Description
- Model documentation
- Learning Opportunity Specification
- Learning Opportunity Specification Reference
- Learning Opportunity Instance
- Learning Opportunity Instance Reference
- Learner Group Conditions
- Learner Group
- Higher Education Institution
- OrgReg ID
- SCHAC Code
- Group of Higher Education Institutions
- European University Alliance
- Grading Scheme
- Grade Distribution
- Grade
Namespaces
Description
The QualityLink ontology extends the European Learning Model (ELM) ontology by additional classes and properties required in the context of the QualityLink project.
The additional classes and properties describe things not currently covered in ELM, including certain quality indicators with relevance for the project.
QualityLink further defines an application profile defined as SHACL constraints, which are based on the ELM Learning Opportunities and Qualifications (LOQ) application profile. The application profile is used by the QualityLink pilot aggregator. The QualityLink profile only adds optional properties to the ELM profile, no required ones.
The profile references the ELM controlled vocabularies published by the EU.
Model documentation
Learning Opportunity Specification
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunitySpecificationThe asbtract specification of an opportunity to acquire a given set of learning outcomes, e.g. the general specification of a course, programme or module offered by an education provider.
This class and its shape are based on the ELM LearningAchievementSpecificationShape and QualificationShape.
Different from the ELM LOQ profile, the shapes are defined as open. Properties that are not used/interpreted by the QualityLink data aggregator have been omitted to simplify the shapes.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| publisher | dcterms:publisher |
Higher Education Institution |
0..*
|
Publisher, typically the education provider that will offer instances of this learning opportunity; if not provided, the publisher will be inferred to be the institution providing the data source. |
| identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
1..*
|
Identifier or code, normally assigned by the publisher |
| qualification code | elm:qualificationCode |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Identifying code from a qualification-based reference semantic asset, normally assigned by a different entity than the publisher, e.g. a national qualifications authority |
| title | dcterms:title |
rdf:langString |
1..*
|
Primary name or title; one value per language is permitted |
| alternative name | skos:altLabel |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
Alternative name(s) |
| description | dcterms:description |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
Free text description of the learning opportunity; one value per language is permitted |
| more information | elm:additionalNote |
elm:Note |
0..*
|
Additional free text note(s) |
| homepage | foaf:homepage |
elm:WebResource |
0..*
|
Web page of the learning opportunity |
| learning outcomes | elm:learningOutcome |
elm:LearningOutcome |
1..*
|
Intended learning outcomes (one by one) |
| learning outcome summary | elm:learningOutcomeSummary |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Summary of the intended learning outcomes |
| language | dcterms:language |
skos:Concept |
1..*
|
Language(s) in which this learning opportunity is offered; should be provided using the Language Named Authority List |
| thematic area | elm:ISCEDFCode |
skos:Concept |
1..*
|
Field according to the ISCED-F 2013 Classification; should be provided using the ISCED-F controlled vocabulary |
| education subject | elm:educationSubject |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Field of education from another semantic framework than ISCED-F |
| EQF level | elm:EQFLevel |
skos:Concept |
1..1
|
Level as specified by the European Qualification Framework (EQF); should be provided using the EQF controlled vocabulary |
| partial qualification | elm:isPartialQualification |
xsd:boolean |
0..1
|
Indicates whether a qualification is a full qualification or part of another qualification |
| NQF level | elm:NQFLevel |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Level as specified by the relevant national qualification framework(s); should be provided using the Qualifications Framework controlled vocabulary |
| credit points | elm:creditPoint |
elm:CreditPoint |
0..*
|
Credit points allocated; should be using ECTS |
| workload | elm:volumeOfLearning |
xsd:duration |
0..1
|
Estimation of the time the learner would need to complete all learning activities (e.g. lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, traineeships and individual or self-directed study, including exam preparation) to achieve the learning outcomes |
| type | dcterms:type |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Category, provided using the Learning opportunity type controlled vocabulary |
| category | elm:category |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
Category, provided as free-text string |
| target group | elm:targetGroup |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Specific target group or category of learners for which this learning opportunity is designed; should be provided using the Target group controlled vocabulary |
| entry requirement | elm:entryRequirement |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Entry requirement or prerequisites, described as free text |
| required learning opportunity for entry | ql:entryRequirementLearningOpportunity |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference |
0..*
|
Specific entry requirement or prerequisite to have completed another learning opportunity. |
| required learning outcome for entry | ql:entryRequirementLearningOutcome |
elm:LearningOutcome |
0..*
|
Specific entry requirement or prerequisite to have achieved a particular learning outcome. |
| proven by | elm:provenBy |
elm:LearningAssessmentSpecification |
0..*
|
Description of the assessment methods |
| grading scheme | elm:gradingScheme |
Grading Scheme |
0..1
|
Information on the grading scheme used, optionally incl. grade distribution information |
| passing rate | ql:passingRate |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
The percentage of learners who pass on average. |
| is active | ql:isActive |
xsd:boolean |
0..*
|
Learning Opportunity Specification is active, i.e. instances are currently offered or the education provider expects that instances will still be offered in the future. |
| version | ql:version |
Literal |
0..*
|
A number or other identifier that indicates the version of the Learning Opportunity specifcation. |
| superseded | ql:superseded |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference |
0..*
|
Learning Opportunity specification superseded another one, which is no longer (or temporarily not) offered. |
| is part of | elm:isPartOf |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference |
0..*
|
Another learning opportunity of which this one is a part, e.g. a course can be part of a programme |
| has part | elm:hasPart |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference |
0..*
|
Another learning opportunity that is part of this one, e.g. a programme can consist of several courses |
| specialisation of | elm:specialisationOf |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference |
0..*
|
A specification (e.g. a qualification standard) that this learning opportunity implements |
| instance | elm:learningOpportunity |
Learning Opportunity Instance |
0..*
|
A concrete instance or offering of this specification |
| banner image | elm:bannerImage |
elm:MediaObject |
0..1
|
An image that can be used for display of this learning opportunity |
| last modified | dcterms:modified |
xsd:dateTime |
0..1
|
Date when the specification was last modified |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunitySpecificationReferenceA reference to another Learning Opportunity specification, identified by a provider and a (local) identifier, without further details.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| provided by | elm:providedBy |
Higher Education Institution |
1..1
|
Higher Education Institution that offers the LO. |
| (local) identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
1..1
|
Identifier of the Learning Opportunity Specification. Must be unique within the scope of the institution identified with providedBy. |
Learning Opportunity Instance
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunityInstanceA concrete instance or offering of a learning opportunity, e.g. a course, programme or module as offered in a specific academic year or semester.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| learning opportunity specification | elm:learningAchievementSpecification |
Learning Opportunity Specification |
1..1
|
Specification of which this is an instance |
| provided by | elm:providedBy |
Higher Education Institution |
1..*
|
The institution(s) providing this instance of the learning opportunity |
| identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
0..*
|
An identifier of this instance or offering, assigned by the provider |
| title | dcterms:title |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
Primary name or title of this instance, if different from the specification; one value per language is permitted |
| description | dcterms:description |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
Free text description of this instance/offering; one value per language is permitted |
| more information | elm:additionalNote |
elm:Note |
0..*
|
Additional free text note(s) |
| homepage | foaf:homepage |
loq:URLRegexRestriction |
0..*
|
Web page of this particular instance/offering |
| registration portal | ql:registrationPortal |
xsd:anyURI |
0..1
|
A web page at which one can register or enrol for a Learning Opportunity. |
| other documents | elm:supplementaryDocument |
loq:URLRegexRestriction |
0..*
|
A public web document containing additional documentation about the Learning Opportunity. |
| specific conditions for learner group | ql:learnerGroupConditions |
Learner Group Conditions |
0..*
|
Indicates specific conditions that apply to a certain target group of learners |
| language | elm:defaultLanguage |
skos:Concept |
1..1
|
Language in which this instance is delivered; should be provided using the Language Named Authority List |
| mode | elm:mode |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Mode of learning and assessment, provided using the Modes of learning and assessment controlled vocabulary |
| location | elm:location |
dcterms:Location |
0..*
|
Location where this instance/offering is delivered |
| learning schedule | elm:learningSchedule |
skos:Concept |
0..1
|
The type of schedule in which this instance is delivered; should be provided using the Learning schedule type controlled vocabulary. |
| term | dcterms:temporal |
dcterms:PeriodOfTime |
0..1
|
Period of time in which this instance is offered, e.g. a semester |
| schedule information | elm:scheduleInformation |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Detailed information about the timetable or schedule, may include weekly schedules (e.g. 'Every Monday, 4pm') or the overall schedule (e.g. October: lectures, November: group-work, December: break, January: assessment) |
| duration | elm:duration |
xsd:duration |
0..1
|
The duration during which this instance will be offered |
| admissions procedure | elm:admissionProcedure |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Information on how to apply for this instance/offering |
| application deadline | elm:applicationDeadline |
xsd:dateTime |
0..*
|
The deadline for applying for this instance/offering |
| enrolment capacity | ql:enrolmentCapacity |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
The number of learners that can register for a Learning Opportunity Instance. |
| enrolled learner count | ql:enrolledLearnerCount |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
The number of learners that are currently enrolled for the Learning Opportunity Instance. |
| minimum enrolment | ql:enrolmentMinimum |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
The number of learners that at least need to enrole for a Learning Opportunity Instance to take place. |
| fees | elm:priceDetail |
elm:PriceDetail |
0..*
|
Information about the pricing or tuition fees |
| grant | elm:grant |
elm:Grant |
0..*
|
Information on grant possibilities |
| learning activity specification | elm:learningActivitySpecification |
elm:LearningActivitySpecification |
0..1
|
Detailed information on the learning activities, including the curricula |
| virtual learning environment | ql:virtualLearningEnvironment |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Specifies (a) virtual learning environment(s) used in the delivery of this learning opportunity. |
| banner image | elm:bannerImage |
elm:MediaObject |
0..1
|
An image that can be used for display of this instance |
| last modification date | dcterms:modified |
xsd:dateTime |
0..1
|
The date when the learning opportunity was last modified. |
Learning Opportunity Instance Reference
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunityInstanceReferenceA reference to another Learning Opportunity Instance, identified by a provider and a (local) identifier, without further details.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| provided by | elm:providedBy |
Higher Education Institution |
1..1
|
Higher Education Institution that offers the LO. |
| (local) identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
1..1
|
Identifier of the Learning Opportunity instance. Must be unique within the scope of the institution identified with providedBy. |
Learner Group Conditions
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearnerGroupConditionsDefines specific conditions for a defined target group of learners to whom a Learning Opportunity is offered, e.g. specific fees or registration portals
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| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| learner group | ql:learnerGroup |
Learner Group |
1..*
|
Definition of the specific group of learners to whom these conditions apply |
| registration portal | ql:registrationPortal |
xsd:anyURI |
0..1
|
Link to a portal where students can register for the learning opportunity (specific for this group of learners). |
| admissions procedure | elm:admissionProcedure |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Information on how to apply for this specific group of learners. |
| entry requirement | elm:entryRequirement |
elm:Note |
0..1
|
Entry requirement or prerequisites that apply to this specific group of learners. |
| enrolment capacity | ql:enrolmentCapacity |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
Number of learners from the specific group that can be enrolled. |
| enrolled learner count | ql:enrolledLearnerCount |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
Number of learners from the specific group that are currently enrolled. |
| minimum enrolment | ql:enrolmentMinimum |
xsd:nonNegativeInteger |
0..*
|
Number of learners from the specific group that need to at least enrol for the instance to take place. |
| fees | elm:priceDetail |
elm:PriceDetail |
0..*
|
Information about the pricing of the course, applicable for this specific target group. |
Learner Group
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearnerGroupDefines a target group of learners to whom a Learning Opportunity is offered, e.g. students of a specific alliance or HEI
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| title | dcterms:title |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
The title of the target group of learners. |
| description | dcterms:description |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
A free text description of the target group of learners. |
| identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
0..*
|
An identifier for this specific target group of learners. |
| open to non-enrolled learners | ql:isOpenToNonEnrolled |
xsd:boolean |
0..1
|
Defines the group as learners who are not enrolled as students |
| home institutions | ql:studentsOf |
Higher Education Institution or Group of Higher Education Institutions |
0..*
|
Defines the group as students from these higher education institution(s) |
| specific learning opportunity | ql:limitLearningOpportunity |
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference or Learning Opportunity Instance Reference |
0..*
|
Defines the group as students following a specific other learning opportunity |
| specific field | elm:limitField |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Defines the group asstudents from (a) specific field(s) of study; use ISCED-F controlled vocabulary |
| minimum EQF Level | ql:minimumEQFLevel |
skos:Concept |
0..*
|
Defines the group as students enrolled in another learning opportunity at a specified EQF level or higher; use the EQF controlled vocabulary |
| information note | elm:additionalNote |
elm:Note |
0..*
|
Additional information about the defined group of learners |
Higher Education Institution
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#HigherEducationInstitutionAn entity that has full degree awarding powers at higher education level (i.e. EQF levels 5 to 8; QF-EHEA cycle first to third) recognised by at least one national authority.
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| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| identifier | adms:identifier |
SCHAC Code or OrgReg ID |
1..*
|
ORGREG or SCHAC identifier |
| is member of | ql:isMemberOf |
elm:Organisation |
0..*
|
Specifies that an organisation is member of an association, e.g. an institution member of EUA or EURASHE. |
The identifier assigned to a higher education institution or other organisation in the Register of Public Sector Organisations (OrgReg)
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| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| identifier | skos:notation |
Literal |
1..1
|
The OrgReg identifier of the format XX1111. |
| scheme ID | elm:schemeId |
ql:OrgReg |
1..1
|
Identification of the scheme. |
SCHAC Code
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#SchacIdentifierThe SCHAC code (schacHomeOrganization) is a domain name used to identify a higher education institution.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| identifier | skos:notation |
Literal |
1..1
|
The SCHAC (schacHomeOrganisation) identifier. Must be a valid DNS domain name. |
| scheme ID | elm:schemeId |
ql:Schac |
1..1
|
Identification of the scheme. |
Group of Higher Education Institutions
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GroupOfHEIsA group or alliance of higher education institutions
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| has member | foaf:member |
Higher Education Institution |
2..*
|
European University Alliance
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#EuropeanUniversityAllianceAn alliance of higher education institutions that is part of the EU's European Universities programme
- Inherits from: Group of Higher Education Institutions
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Properties from European University Alliance | ||||
| No specific properties | ||||
| Properties from Group of Higher Education Institutions | ||||
| has member | foaf:member |
Higher Education Institution |
2..*
|
|
| Properties from Group of Higher Education Institutions | ||||
| has member | foaf:member |
Higher Education Institution |
2..*
|
|
Grading Scheme
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradingSchemeSchapeInformation on the grading scheme used.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| identifier | adms:identifier |
elm:Identifier |
0..*
|
An identifier of the grading scheme. |
| title | dcterms:title |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
The title of the grading scheme. One value per language is permitted. |
| description | dcterms:description |
rdf:langString |
0..*
|
A free text description of the grading scheme. |
| other documents | elm:supplementaryDocument |
elm:WebResource |
0..*
|
A public web document containing additional documentation about the grading scheme. |
| grade distribution | elm:resultDistribution |
Grade Distribution |
0..*
|
Information on the statistical distribution of grades in the scheme. |
Grade Distribution
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradeDistributionShapeIt describes a histogram of grades achieved by learners within a specific reference group.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| reference group | ql:referenceGroup |
Learner Group |
0..1
|
The group of learners for which the histogram of results was established. |
| grade | elm:resultCategory |
Grade |
1..*
|
One specific grade in the grading scheme with the distribution information. |
Grade
http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradeShapeDescription of a single grade within a histogram of results.
Click diagram to navigate to corresponding section | View as PNG
| Property name | URI | Expected value | Card. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| label | elm:label |
xsd:string |
1..1
|
The label of the grade according to the grading scheme it is part of, e.g. 'C', '2+' or '10'. |
| order | ql:gradeOrder |
xsd:positiveInteger |
1..1
|
A number specifying the order of the grade within the grading scheme, the highest number indicating the best grade. |
| percentage | ql:gradePercentage |
xsd:positiveInteger |
1..1
|
The percentage of learners earning this grade. |