Guidance

16 to 19 study programmes: guide for providers

Information for education and training providers on the planning and delivery of study programmes.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 20 July 2017
• Last updated: 24 July 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 24 July 2026

     In 'English and maths progression', in section 4, we have clarified that students with a GCSE grade 3 must study towards a GCSE, while students with a GCSE grade 2 or below may study towards either a GCSE or Functional Skills level 2. This is a clarification only and does not represent a change in policy.

  2. 3 July 2026

     Updated the guidance for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

  3. 16 July 2025

     Updated the guidance for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, including newly reformed level 2 and level 3 qualifications and adding additional guidance on work experience.

  4. 5 September 2024

     Updated guidance for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

  5. 9 August 2023

     Updated to reflect that the national name for the T Level transition programme is changing to T Level foundation year.

  6. 11 July 2023

     Updated guidance for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

  7. 15 July 2022

     Updated for academic year 2022 to 2023 to include an increase in minimum planned hours, remove flexibilities for during the COVID-19 pandemic and a return to publishing school and college performance measures based on results from qualifications.

  8. 13 July 2021

     We have published the 16 to 19 study programmes guidance for the 2021 to 2022 academic year.

  9. 29 July 2020

     We have published the 16 to 19 study programmes: guidance for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

  10. 15 May 2019

      We have published the 16 to 19 study programmes guidance for the 2019 to 2020 academic year.

  11. 27 March 2018

      Added new guidance for the 2018 to 2019 academic year. The 2017 to 2018 guidance remains valid until the end of the current academic year.

  12. 20 July 2017

      First published.

Applies to England

Documents

16 to 19 study programmes guidance: 2026 to 2027 academic year

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Details

This guide sets out the government’s policy on 16 to 19 study programmes. It covers academic, technical and vocational study programmes, including traineeships and supported internships.

It applies to all providers of 16 to 19 education in England, including:

• schools
• further education colleges
• sixth-form colleges
• work-based learning providers
• training providers

Previous versions of the guidance are available in the National Archives.