Research and analysis

Apprenticeship End-Point Assessments Statistical Report: March 2022 to February 2023

Updated 14 December 2023

Applies to England

Authors

• Merlin Walter
• Dovile Rama

Key headlines

This report provides information on the volumes and outcomes of apprenticeship end-point assessments (EPAs) undertaken in England from March 2022 to February 2023. This report only covers those apprenticeship EPAs which Ofqual regulates, and only presents data provided by the awarding organisations (AOs) which delivered EPAs during the period covered in the report. For information on the overall apprenticeships market, please see DfE’s report on apprenticeships and traineeships.

The data shows that, between March 2022 and February 2023:

• There were 121 AOs delivering apprenticeship EPAs regulated by Ofqual  for 388 apprenticeship standards. Numbers of AOs and EPAs have continually increased each year since 2020, following the requirement for them to be regulated.

• In total 124,750 regulated EPAs were taken by apprentices and 110,575 EPAs were completed.

• City and Guilds of London Institute had the highest number of completed EPAs compared with other AOs (11,610 EPAs completed). The highest numbers of completed EPAs were in the Business and administration route (30,005 EPAs completed, equivalent to 27.1% of completed EPAs) and for the Business administrator apprenticeship standard (8,025 EPAs completed, equivalent to 7.3% of completed EPAs).

• Out of all apprentices completing EPAs during this period, 89.8% passed all required components at the first attempt (without failing and subsequently re-sitting or retaking any components). First-attempt pass rates in level 3 and level 4 EPAs were lower than in level 2, 5, 6, and 7 EPAs. First-attempt pass rates in EPAs for Early years educator and Early years practitioner apprenticeship standards were lower than the overall first-attempt pass rate.

Introduction

Following the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IfATE) consultation to simplify and strengthen external quality assurance the majority of EPAs are now regulated by Ofqual, or for integrated degree apprenticeships, regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). A small number of standards are not covered by either regulator, and are delivered by other bodies.

Ofqual collects a wide range of data about regulated qualifications to inform its regulatory activity. This includes regular data submissions from all AOs with EPAs on Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications.

This report presents an analysis of the data submitted by AOs that offer EPAs. The data presented throughout this report is collected annually, covering a period from the start of March to the end of February.

The first part of the report focuses on the volume of the apprenticeship EPAs in the period from March 2020 to February 2023. This includes the overall number of AOs delivering EPAs regulated by Ofqual and the number of EPAs and assessment components taken by apprentices. The figures from March 2022 to February 2023 are then broken down by apprenticeship level, route, apprenticeship standard, and AO. EPA figures from 2020 to 2021 up until 2022 to 2023 are available in the accompanying data tables.

The second part of the report presents outcomes of EPAs for the period from March 2022 to February 2023, broken down by apprenticeship level, route and apprenticeship standard.

Overall EPA figures

Number of AOs and apprenticeship standards

In the period from 2022 to 2023 there were 121 AOs delivering apprenticeship EPAs. Numbers of AOs and EPAs in Ofqual’s purview have continually increased each year since 2020 following the requirement that EPAs should be regulated.

Figure 1. (a) Number of AOs delivering EPAs regulated by Ofqual and (b) Number of apprenticeship standards with EPAs delivered from 2020 to 2021 up until 2022 to 2023.

Table 1. Number of AOs delivering EPAs regulated by Ofqual and number of apprenticeship standards with EPAs delivered from 2020 to 2021 up until 2022 to 2023.

	2020 to 2021	2021 to 2022	2022 to 2023
Number of AOs	43	75	121
Number of apprenticeship standards	88	202	388

Number of EPAs and EPA components taken by apprentices

EPAs may be started and not yet completed because one or more components were failed, or because one or more components were taken or assessed after the specified reporting period. During 2022 to 2023, 124,750 EPAs were taken and 110,575 EPAs were completed (88.64%). 99,330 EPAs were completed on the first attempt (without failing and subsequently resitting or retaking any components) in 2022 to 2023.

EPAs may consist of multiple components (individual assessments that contribute towards the EPA, such as observations, tests, projects, presentations, professional discussions, etc.). In 2022 to 2023, 317,530 individual EPA components were taken by apprentices and 284,035 were passed (89.45%). Numbers of EPAs and EPA components taken and passed have increased each year since 2020, in line with the number of standards with EPAs that are regulated by Ofqual.

Figure 2. (a) Number of EPAs regulated by Ofqual taken and completed, and (b) EPA components taken and passed by apprentices from 2020 to 2021 up until 2022 to 2023.

Table 2. Numbers of EPAs regulated by Ofqual taken and completed, and EPA components taken and passed from 2020 to 2021 up until 2022 to 2023.

	2020 to 2021	2021 to 2022	2022 to 2023
Number of EPAs completed	13,405	44,125	110,575
Number of EPAs taken	15,095	51,145	124,750
Number of components passed	34,050	114,715	284,035
Number of components taken	37,105	130,030	317,530

EPA figures by apprenticeship level from 2022 to 2023

Apprenticeships are available at a number of levels, ranging from intermediate/level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) to Degree/level 6 and 7 (equivalent to bachelor’s or master’s degree).

Note: Integrated degree apprenticeships are not included here as these are regulated by OfS.

The highest number of completed EPAs in 2022 to 2023 were at level 3 (53,040 EPA completions).

Figure 3. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Table 3. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Level	Number of EPAs completed	Percentage of all completed EPAs
2	30,130	27.2%
3	53,040	48.0%
4	10,620	9.6%
5	7,545	6.8%
6	2,080	1.9%
7	7,160	6.5%

The highest number of EPA components taken in 2022 to 2023 was among level 3 apprenticeship standards (154,735 components taken by apprentices).

Figure 4. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Table 4. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Level	Number of components taken	Percentage of components taken
2	85,505	26.9%
3	154,735	48.7%
4	28,805	9.1%
5	25,620	8.1%
6	6,695	2.1%
7	16,170	5.1%

EPA figures by route from 2022 to 2023

Apprenticeships are classified by IfATE as belonging to one of 15 ‘routes’ comprising groups of occupations with related knowledge and skill requirements.

The highest number of completed EPAs in 2022 to 2023 was in the Business and administration route (30,005 EPAs completed, equivalent to 27.1% of all completed EPAs).

Figure 5. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by route.

Table 5. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by route.

Route	Number of EPAs completed	Percentage of all completed EPAs
Agriculture, environmental and animal care	2,850	2.6%
Business and administration	30,005	27.1%
Care services	6,715	6.1%
Catering and hospitality	2,770	2.5%
Construction and the built environment	6,635	6.0%
Creative and design	665	0.6%
Digital	4,765	4.3%
Education and childcare	11,320	10.2%
Engineering and manufacturing	9,510	8.6%
Hair and beauty	3,725	3.4%
Health and science	7,975	7.2%
Legal, finance and accounting	9,025	8.2%
Protective services	1,290	1.2%
Sales, marketing and procurement	10,255	9.3%
Transport and logistics	3,075	2.8%

The highest number of EPA components taken in 2022 to 2023 was in the Business and administration route (87,685 components taken, equivalent to 30.87% of all components taken).

Figure 6. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by route.

Table 6. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by route.

Route	Number of components taken	Percentage of all components taken
Agriculture, environmental and animal care	8,525	2.7%
Business and administration	87,685	27.6%
Care services	15,025	4.7%
Catering and hospitality	11,825	3.7%
Construction and the built environment	22,805	7.2%
Creative and design	1,950	0.6%
Digital	7,725	2.4%
Education and childcare	27,505	8.7%
Engineering and manufacturing	34,345	10.8%
Hair and beauty	6,885	2.2%
Health and science	25,430	8.0%
Legal, finance and accounting	24,565	7.7%
Protective services	4,245	1.3%
Sales, marketing and procurement	30,190	9.5%
Transport and logistics	8,815	2.8%

EPA figures by apprenticeship standard from 2022 to 2023

An apprenticeship standard is a description of an occupation with associated duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours (and also includes the assessment plan and funding band). Apprenticeship standards are defined by employers and approved by IfATE. Employers use apprenticeship standards as the basis on which to design EPAs.

Note: Data is presented for the 10 standards with the highest number of completed EPAs reported from March 2022 to February 2023. Numbers of components taken by apprentices are shown for the same 10 standards. These may not necessarily be the standards with the most components taken, and may not have been regulated by Ofqual in previous years. Volumes for all standards are reported in the accompanying data tables.

The Business administrator apprenticeship had the highest number of completed EPAs in 2022 to 2023 (8,025 EPAs completed, equivalent to 7.3% of all completed EPAs).

Figure 7. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Table 7. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Standard	Number of EPAs completed	Percentage of all completed EPAs
Accountancy or taxation professional	3,940	3.6%
Adult care worker	2,550	2.3%
Business administrator	8,025	7.3%
Customer service practitioner	3,300	3%
Early years educator	5,060	4.6%
Early years practitioner	2,950	2.7%
Hair professional	3,080	2.8%
Operations or departmental manager	4,330	3.9%
Senior leader	2,760	2.5%
Team leader or supervisor	7,480	6.8%

The highest number of EPA components taken in 2022 to 2023 was in the Business administrator apprenticeship standard (26,000 components taken, equivalent to 9.15% of all components taken).

Figure 8. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Table 8. Numbers of EPA components taken from 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Standard	Number of components taken	Percentage of all components taken
Accountancy or taxation professional	8,985	2.8%
Adult care worker	5,430	1.7%
Business administrator	26,000	8.2%
Customer service practitioner	10,790	3.4%
Early years educator	12,870	4.1%
Early years practitioner	7,205	2.3%
Hair professional	5,005	1.6%
Operations or departmental manager	16,330	5.1%
Senior leader	5,975	1.9%
Team leader or supervisor	19,145	6%

EPA figures by awarding organisation from 2022 to 2023

Awarding organisations (AOs) are organisations recognised by Ofqual to deliver regulated qualifications, such as EPAs. The full list of AOs can be found in Oqual’s register of regulated qualifications.

Note: Data is presented for the 10 AOs with the highest number of completed EPAs during 2022 to 2023. Numbers of components taken by apprentices are shown for the same 10 AOs. These may not necessarily be the AOs with the most components taken, and may not have been regulated by Ofqual in previous years. Volumes for all AOs are reported in the accompanying data tables.

City and Guilds of London Institute delivered the highest number of completed EPAs in 2022 to 2023 (11,610 EPAs completed, equivalent to 10.5% of total completed EPAs).

Figure 9. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by AO.

Table 9. Numbers of EPAs completed from 2022 to 2023 by AO.

AO	Number of EPAs completed	Percentage of all completed EPAs
Association of Accounting Technicians	3,175	2.9%
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT	3,810	3.4%
Chartered Management Institute	10,010	9.1%
City and Guilds of London Institute	11,610	10.5%
Highfield Qualifications	7,820	7.1%
Innovate Awarding	8,445	7.6%
NCFE	7,505	6.8%
Pearson Education Ltd	5,905	5.3%
Training Qualifications UK Ltd	6,730	6.1%
VTCT	3,080	2.8%

The AO assessing the highest number of EPA components in 2022 to 2023 was City and Guilds of London Institute (32,475 components assessed, equivalent to 10.2% of all components assessed).

Figure 10. Numbers of EPA components assessed from 2022 to 2023 by AO.

Table 10. Numbers of EPA components assessed from 2022 to 2023 by AO.

AO	Number of components assessed	Percentage of all components assessed
Association of Accounting Technicians	10,710	3.4%
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT	4,695	1.5%
Chartered Management Institute	27,785	8.8%
City and Guilds of London Institute	32,475	10.2%
Highfield Qualifications	23,690	7.5%
Innovate Awarding	27,135	8.5%
NCFE	19,275	6.1%
Pearson Education Ltd	18,685	5.9%
Training Qualifications UK Ltd	17,965	5.7%
VTCT	7,995	2.5%

EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023

EPA grades are awarded on a range of grading scales. Some standards only award Pass grades. Of those standards that award grades higher than a Pass, some will award either a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction, some will award either a Pass or a Merit and some will award either a Pass or a Distinction.

In 2022 to 2023, the greatest proportion of EPAs taken by apprentices were graded on a Pass/Distinction scale (64,845 EPAs, equivalent to 68.2% of EPAs where a single grading scale could be reported). Pass grades were the most frequently awarded grades across all grading scales.

Note: Due to changes to some apprenticeship standards and their associated assessment plans over time, it is not always possible to report a single grading scale for an EPA. Grading scale data presented in this report only covers those apprenticeship standards and their EPAs where a single grading scale was used (368 apprenticeship standards, 104,195 EPAs). In 2022 to 2023 a single grading scale could not be reported for 20 (5.1%) apprenticeship standards. Additionally, grade distributions are only shown for grading scale and level/sector/standard combinations where there are at least 3 awarding organisations and at least 250 EPAs completed. In 2022 to 2023 there were fewer than 250 EPAs graded on a Pass/Merit scale and so no grade distributions are presented for this grading scale. Total numbers of EPAs in this section may therefore differ from the total volumes presented in the first section of the report.

Inferences should not be made based upon direct comparisons between outcomes across apprenticeship levels, routes, or apprenticeship standards as they will depend upon the differing make-up of the cohorts taking them, and assessments will differ according to the requirements of a particular industry.

Grading scale data refers to proportions of all apprentices completing EPAs, and not just those who passed at the first attempt.

Table 11. Number and percentage of EPAs and standards by grading scale in 2022 to 2023.

Grading scale	Percentage of EPAs taken	Number of EPAs taken	Percentage of apprenticeship standards	Number of apprenticeship standards
Pass/Fail	8.7%	8,245	7.3%	27
Pass/Merit	-	-	-	-
Pass/Distinction	68.2%	64,845	67.4%	248
Pass/Merit/Distinction	23.0%	21,870	23.9%	88

As opportunities to resit or retake failed components are generally available to apprentices taking EPAs, “Fail” grades are not routinely reported for overall EPAs. Instead, this report presents data on the proportion of apprentices completing EPAs who have passed each component (and therefore the overall EPA) at the first attempt, compared with those who have needed to resit or retake any component at least once.

In 2022 to 2023, 89.8% of apprentices completing EPAs (99,330 apprentices) passed all required components at the first attempt.

Figure 11. Overall EPA outcomes for each grading scale (Pass/Merit/Distinction, Pass/Merit, and Pass/Distinction) awarding grades above a Pass.

Table 12. Overall EPA outcomes for each grading scale (Pass/Merit/Distinction, Pass/Merit, and Pass/Distinction) awarding grades above a Pass.

Grade	Pass/Distinction	Pass/Merit	Pass/Merit/Distinction
Pass	61.8%	-	37.0%
Merit	-	-	30.1%
Distinction	38.2%	-	32.9%

EPA outcomes by apprenticeship level

In 2022 to 2023, grade distributions varied across levels and grading scales. The proportion of EPAs resulting in a grade higher than a Pass being awarded ranged from 25% (for level 5 EPAs graded Pass/Distinction) to 88% (for level 6 EPAs graded Pass/Merit/Distinction).

Figure 12. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Table 13. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Level	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Merit	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Merit/Distinction	Pass/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Distinction
7	-	-	-	-	45.3%	54.7%	385
6	12.0%	36.3%	51.7%	1,145	64.0%	36.0%	615
5	36.6%	42.0%	21.4%	825	75.1%	24.9%	2,390
4	40.1%	21.5%	38.5%	5,230	72.4%	27.6%	5,185
3	44.6%	26.3%	29.1%	9,095	60.8%	39.2%	31,060
2	24.8%	43.5%	31.6%	4,620	59.6%	40.4%	23,185

In 2022 to 2023, first attempt pass rates ranged from 88% at level 3 and level 5 to 96% at level 6. In level 2, 5, 6 and 7 EPAs, first-attempt pass rates exceeded the overall first-attempt pass rate (89.8%), whereas first-attempt pass rates in level 3 and level 4 EPAs were lower than the overall first-attempt pass rate.

Figure 13. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Table 14. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship level.

Level	Passed	Did not pass	Completed EPAs
7	94.1%	5.9%	410
6	96.3%	3.7%	1,765
5	87.9%	12.1%	3,215
4	89.1%	10.9%	10,415
3	88.0%	12.0%	40,165
2	90.6%	9.4%	27,950

EPA outcomes by route

In 2022 to 2023, EPAs in the Agriculture, environmental and animal care route which were graded on a “Pass/Merit/Distinction” scale had the highest proportion of grades above a Pass awarded (over 82%). Less than 50% of EPAs in the Construction and the built environment, Engineering and manufacturing, and Digital routes graded on a “Pass/Merit/Distinction” scale resulted in a grade above a Pass being awarded.

Figure 14. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by route.

Table 15. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by route.

Route	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Merit	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Merit/Distinction	Pass/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Distinction
Transport and logistics	-	-	-	-	68.1%	31.9%	2,030
Sales, marketing and procurement	41.6%	11.6%	46.8%	2,285	45.3%	54.7%	7,970
Protective services	-	-	-	-	62.5%	37.5%	1,290
Legal, finance and accounting	-	-	-	-	82.9%	17.1%	4,920
Health and science	25.3%	45.4%	29.3%	1,420	53.9%	46.1%	3,300
Hair and beauty	-	-	-	-	78.1%	21.9%	3,670
Engineering and manufacturing	52.2%	34.0%	13.8%	1,800	78.5%	21.5%	4,940
Education and childcare	-	-	-	-	51.3%	48.7%	11,105
Digital	58.5%	9.6%	31.9%	4,685	-	-	-
Creative and design	-	-	-	-	52.6%	47.4%	625
Construction and the built environment	54.0%	23.1%	22.9%	1,210	64.4%	35.6%	4,805
Catering and hospitality	-	-	-	-	70.8%	29.2%	2,045
Care services	21.4%	50.6%	28.0%	5,090	65.3%	34.7%	1,630
Business and administration	23.5%	31.0%	45.4%	3,195	60.1%	39.9%	12,195
Agriculture, environmental and animal care	17.9%	47.8%	34.3%	625	63.7%	36.3%	2,220

In 2022 to 2023, first-attempt pass rates were the highest for EPAs in the Creative design (96.8%) and Digital routes (96.2%). The lowest first-pass rates were recorded for EPAs in the Catering and hospitality (76.6%) and Engineering and manufacturing (77.8%) sectors.

First-attempt pass rates in the Catering and hospitality and Engineering and manufacturing sectors were substantially lower than the overall first-attempt pass rate.

Figure 15. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by route.

Table 16. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by route.

Route	Passed	Did not pass	Completed EPAs
Transport and logistics	94.3%	5.7%	2,225
Sales, marketing and procurement	91.3%	8.7%	10,255
Protective services	86.9%	13.1%	1,290
Legal, finance and accounting	83.5%	16.5%	5,000
Health and science	91.7%	8.3%	4,715
Hair and beauty	94.0%	6.0%	3,725
Engineering and manufacturing	78.0%	22.0%	6,830
Education and childcare	84.3%	15.7%	11,320
Digital	96.2%	3.8%	4,765
Creative and design	96.8%	3.2%	665
Construction and the built environment	87.3%	12.7%	6,085
Catering and hospitality	76.6%	23.4%	2,090
Care services	94.4%	5.6%	6,715
Business and administration	92.8%	7.2%	15,390
Agriculture, environmental and animal care	91.9%	8.1%	2,850

EPA outcomes by apprenticeship standard

In 2022 to 2023, proportions of grades awarded varied across apprenticeship standards. For example, 78.9% of EPAs for Customer service practitioner apprenticeships graded on a “Pass/Distinction” scale resulted in a Distinction grade being awarded, whereas 2.3% of Professional accounting or taxation technician apprenticeships graded on a “Pass/Distinction” scale resulted in a Distinction grade being awarded.

Note: A single grading scale could not be reported for all of the 10 standards with the highest number of completed EPAs between 2022 and 2023. Grade distributions are reported for the 10 standards with the highest number of completed EPAs out of those for which a single grading scale could be reported and where the number of AOs and EPAs meets the minimum thresholds (250 EPAS, 3 AOs). Grade distributions for all standards where the number of AOs and EPAs meets the minimum thresholds are presented in the accompanying data tables.

Figure 16. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Table 17. EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Standard	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Merit	Pass/Merit/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Merit/Distinction	Pass/Distinction: Pass	Pass/Distinction: Distinction	Completed EPAs: Pass/Distinction
Teaching assistant	-	-	-	-	51.9%	48.1%	2,475
Professional accounting or taxation technician	-	-	-	-	97.7%	2.3%	1,405
Lead adult care worker	23.0%	51.5%	25.6%	2,540	-	-	-
Hair professional	-	-	-	-	75.9%	24.1%	3,080
Early years practitioner	-	-	-	-	67.1%	32.9%	2,950
Early years educator	-	-	-	-	43.6%	56.4%	5,060
Data analyst	52.9%	9.6%	37.5%	1,585	-	-	-
Customer service practitioner	-	-	-	-	21.1%	78.9%	3,300
Business administrator	-	-	-	-	56.3%	43.7%	8,025
Adult care worker	19.9%	49.8%	30.4%	2,550	-	-	-

In 2022 to 2023, first-attempt pass rates in EPAs for Early years educator and Early years practitioner apprenticeships were lower than the overall first-attempt pass rate. First-attempt pass rates in EPAs for all other apprenticeship standards exceeded the overall first-attempt pass rate.

Figure 17. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Table 18. First-attempt EPA outcomes in 2022 to 2023 by apprenticeship standard.

Standard	Passed	Did not pass	Completed EPAs
Team leader or supervisor	94.2%	5.8%	7,480
Senior leader	99.4%	0.6%	2,760
Operations or departmental manager	95.4%	4.6%	4,330
Hair professional	94.3%	5.7%	3,080
Early years practitioner	82.6%	17.4%	2,950
Early years educator	80.2%	19.8%	5,060
Customer service practitioner	93.9%	6.1%	3,300
Business administrator	93.5%	6.5%	8,025
Adult care worker	96.9%	3.1%	2,550
Accountancy or taxation professional	91.2%	8.8%	3,940