QualityLink Ontology and Application Profile
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QualityLink Ontology and Application Profile

Release: 2025-02-13

Modified on: 2026-05-31
Revision:
1.3.0
Issued on:
2025-02-13
Publisher:
https://quality-link.eu/
Imported Ontologies:
ontology
22-rdf-syntax-ns#
core
regorg
<http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/>
Download serialization:
JSON-LD RDF/XML N-Triples TTL
License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as:
QualityLink Ontology and Application Profile. Revision: 1.3.0.
Vocabulary maintained at:
https://github.com/Knowledge-Innovation-Centre/quality-link-specs
Ontology Specification Draft

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.

Introduction back to ToC

This ontology and application profile were developed as part of the QualityLink Erasmus+ project.

QualityLink: Overview back to ToC

This ontology has the following classes and properties.

Classes

Object Properties

Data Properties

Named Individuals

QualityLink: Description back to ToC

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 QualityLink ontology and profile were originally developed based on ELM 3.2 and ELM 3.3.1 (LOQ profile v1.3.0). The profile references the [ELM controlled vocabularies](https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/europasstables) published by the EU.

Cross-reference for QualityLink classes, object properties and data properties back to ToC

This section provides details for each class and property defined by QualityLink.

Classes

European University Alliancec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#EuropeanUniversityAlliance

has super-classes
Group of Higher Education Institutions c
is also defined as
named individual

kaymakc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#Kajmak

Kaymak is a creamy dairy food similar to clotted cream, made from the milk of water buffalo, cows, sheep, or goats in Central Asia, some Balkan countries, some Caucasus countries, the Levant, Turkic regions, Iran and Iraq.
Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaymak
has super-classes
F O O D O N 00001256 c

Object Properties

absorbedop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#absorbed

Organisation absorbed another one (i.e. subject existed before and after the event, object ceased to exist)
has super-properties
related to op
has domain
Organisation c

includes students ofop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#studentsOf

Defines that the target group of learners includes the students of an education institution, or an alliance thereof
has domain
Learner Group c

is member ofop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#isMemberOf

Specifies that an organisation is member of an alliance, e.g. a European Universities alliance, a consortium, or an association, e.g. EUA or EURASHE.
is inverse of
member op

learner groupop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#learnerGroup

Definition of the specific group of learners to whom these conditions apply
has domain
Learning Opportunity Instance c
has range
Learner Group c

minimum EQF Levelop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#minimumEQFLevel

Defines that the learning opportunity is offered to students enrolled in another learning opportunity at a specified EQF level or higher. If provided, the value must come from the EU controlled vocabulary http://publications.europa.eu/resource/dataset/european-qualification-framework
has domain
Learner Group c

organisationop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#aboutOrganisation

Education provider the indicator describes.
has range
Higher Education Institution c

reference groupop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#referenceGroup

The group of learners for which the histogram of results was established.
has domain
Result Distribution c
has range
Learner Group c

related toop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#relatedTo

A relationship between Learning Opportunities or Organisations (abstract)

has characteristics: asymmetric

has sub-properties
absorbed op, spun off from op, succeeded op, superseded op, superseded by op

required learning opportunity for entryop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#entryRequirementLearningOpportunity

Specific entry requirement or prerequisite to have completed another learning opportunity.
has range
Learning Opportunity Specification Reference c

required learning outcome for entryop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#entryRequirementLearningOutcome

Specific entry requirement or prerequisite to have achieved a particular learning outcome.
has range
Learning Outcome c

specific conditions for learner groupop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#learnerGroupConditions

Indicates specific conditions that apply to a certain target group of learners
has domain
Learning Opportunity Instance c
has range
Learner Group Conditions c

specific learning opportunityop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#limitLearningOpportunity

Defines that the learning opportunity is offered to students enrolled in a specified other learning opportunity.
has domain
Learner Group c

spun off fromop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#spunOffFrom

Organisation spun off from another one (i.e. subject newly created by the event, object existed before and after)
has super-properties
related to op
has domain
Organisation c

succeededop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#succeeded

Organisation succeeded/replaced another one (i.e. subject was newly created by the event, object ceased to exist)
has super-properties
related to op
has domain
Organisation c

supersededop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#superseded

Learning Opportunity specification superseded another one, which is no longer (or temporarily not) offered.
has super-properties
related to op
has domain
Learning Opportunity Specification c
is inverse of
superseded by op

superseded byop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#supersededBy

Learning Opportunity specification was superseded by another one. This normally means that the subject learning opportunity is no longer offered.
has super-properties
related to op
has domain
Learning Opportunity Specification c
is inverse of
superseded op

thematic area (broad field)op back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#ISCEDFBroadField

ISCED-F 2013 field, truncated to 2-digit broad field

thematic area (narrow field)op back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#ISCEDFNarrowField

ISCED-F 2013 field, truncated to 3-digit narrow field

virtual learning environmentop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#virtualLearningEnvironment

Specifies (a) virtual learning environment(s) used in the delivery of this learning opportunity.
has domain
Learning Opportunity Instance c

Data Properties

enrolled learner countdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#enrolledLearnerCount

The number of learners that are currently enrolled for the Learning Opportunity Instance.
has range
non Negative Integer

enrolment capacitydp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#enrolmentCapacity

The number of learners that can register for a Learning Opportunity Instance.
has range
non Negative Integer

ingested atdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#ingestedAt

The time data on this learning opportunity was last updated in the aggregator.
has range
date Time

ingested ondp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#ingestedDate

The date when this learning opportunity was last updated in the aggregator.
has range
date

instance countdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#instanceCount

Number of Learning Opportunity Instances recorded for this Learning Opportunity Specifcation.
has range
non Negative Integer

is activedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#isActive

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.
has range
boolean

minimum enrolmentdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#enrolmentMinimum

The number of learners that at least need to enrole for a Learning Opportunity Instance to take place.
has range
non Negative Integer

open to non-enrolled learnersdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#isOpenToNonEnrolled

Indicates that a learning opportunity is alos open to learners not currently enrolled as regular students.
has range
boolean

orderdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#gradeOrder

A number specifying the order of the grade within the grading scheme, the highest number indicating the best grade.
has range
positive Integer

passing ratedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#passingRate

The percentage of learners who pass on average.
has range
positive Integer

percentagedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#gradePercentage

The percentage of learners earning this grade.
has range
positive Integer

ratiodp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#ratioValue

The student-staff ratio for this institution/ISCED-F field/course.
has range
double

reference yeardp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#referenceYear

The reference year to which this statistical indicator relates.
has range
g Year

registration portaldp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#registrationPortal

A web page at which one can register or enrol for a Learning Opportunity.
has range
any U R I

versiondp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#version

A number or other identifier that indicates the version of the Learning Opportunity specifcation.
has range
string

Named Individuals

European University Allianceni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#EuropeanUniversityAlliance

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Gradeni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradeShape

Description of a single grade within a histogram of results.
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "44"^^integer
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
target Class ap Result Category ep
main ap "false"^^boolean

Grade Distribution ni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradeDistributionShape

It describes a histogram of grades achieved by learners within a specific reference group.
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "42"^^integer
property ap ""
property ap ""
target Class ap Result Distribution c
main ap "false"^^boolean

Grading Schemeni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GradingSchemeSchape

Information on the grading scheme used.
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "40"^^integer
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
target Class ap Grading Scheme ep
main ap "false"^^boolean

Group of Higher Education Institutionsni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#GroupOfHEIs

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Higher Education Institutionni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#HigherEducationInstitution

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Identifierni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#Identifier

A character string that identifies a course or another unique object.
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "70"^^integer
property ap Identifier adms scheme Agency ep
property ap Identifier dc creator ep
property ap Identifier dc issued ep
property ap Identifier elm scheme Id ep
property ap Identifier elm scheme Name ep
property ap Identifier elm scheme Version ep
property ap Identifier skos notation ep
target Class ap Identifier ep
main ap "false"^^boolean

Learner Groupni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearnerGroup

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learner Group Conditionsni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearnerGroupConditions

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learning Opportunity Instanceni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunityInstance

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learning Opportunity Instance Referenceni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunityInstanceReference

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learning Opportunity Specificationni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunitySpecification

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learning Opportunity Specification Referenceni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOpportunitySpecificationReference

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Learning Outcomeni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#LearningOutcome

A statement regarding what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process, which are defined in terms of knowledge, skills and responsibility and autonomy.
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "20"^^integer
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
property ap ""
target Class ap Learning Outcome c
main ap "false"^^boolean

OrgReg (identifier scheme)ni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#OrgReg

The identifier scheme defined by the Register of Public Sector Organisations (OrgReg)
belongs to
Concept Scheme c

OrgReg IDni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#OrgRegIdentifier

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

SCHAC (identifier scheme)ni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#Schac

The identifier scheme for higher education institutions defined by the Schema for Academia (SCHAC).
belongs to
Concept Scheme c

SCHAC Codeni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#SchacIdentifier

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

Student-staff rationi back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.quality-link.eu/ontology/v1#StudentStaffRatio

belongs to
Node Shape c
is also defined as
class

URLni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: http://data.europa.eu/snb/model/application-profile/loq-constraints/URLRegexRestriction

This shape does not apply on a class. This shape is for checking if the value of contentUrl is well formed.
Is defined by
http://data.europa.eu/snb/model/application-profile/loq-constraints
belongs to
Node Shape c
has facts
order ap "80"^^integer
property ap U R L Regex elm content Url ep

Legend back to ToC

c: Classes
op: Object Properties
dp: Data Properties
ni: Named Individuals
ep: External Properties

References back to ToC

Add your references here. It is recommended to have them as a list.

Acknowledgments back to ToC

The authors would like to thank Silvio Peroni for developing LODE, a Live OWL Documentation Environment, which is used for representing the Cross Referencing Section of this document and Daniel Garijo for developing Widoco, the program used to create the template used in this documentation.