DfE Update further education: 22 July 2026
Published 22 July 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-22-july-2026/dfe-update-further-education-22-july-2026
Action: Final request to upload your subcontracting standard evidence by Monday 31 August 2026
This is a final reminder to upload your 2025 to 2026 subcontracting standard files to Document exchange by Monday 31 August 2026.
Provide the following files under the correct document type:
- subcontracting standard RAG rated report – the independent auditor’s RAG-rated report (PDF or Word)
- subcontracting standard statement – the provider’s signed and dated declaration (PDF or Word)
- subcontracting standard self-assessment – the independent auditor’s completed self-assessment workbook (Excel spreadsheet only)
We may reject incorrect submissions which will cause a delay.
Before submitting, check that all files relate to the 2025 to 2026 funding year.
Information: 2025 to 2026 qualification achievement rates guidance published
The 2025 to 2026 qualification achievement rates (QAR) guidance has now been released.
Key changes for 2025 to 2026 include:
- T Levels are now included in the education and training dataset
- foundation apprenticeships are now included in the apprenticeships dataset
- apprenticeship units are excluded for 2025 to 2026
- campus-level QAR data will be published for providers with an existing CampusID this year. CampusIDs issued this year will be included from 2026 to 2027
- historic QAR dashboards and downloads will be archived following the move to new data infrastructure. Further details are available in the QAR guidance
For queries, please use the Customer Help Portal and select ‘Data’ and ‘MI’.
Peer support is available through the Customer Help Centre.
Information: Update to college financial planning handbook
We have updated the college financial planning handbook 2026 to reinstate the minor changes made in November 2025, which were inadvertently omitted from the May 2026 edition.
These minor changes clarified how capital funding received ahead of spend and held as cash must be recorded.
Information: Apprenticeship funding rules for 2026 to 2027
Version 2 of the apprenticeship funding rules for the 2026 to 2027 funding year is now available.
These rules apply to apprenticeships that start on or after 1 August 2026. The main updates relate to changes to co-investment requirements. You should review the updated rules to understand how the changes affect apprenticeship delivery and funding.
Read the summary of changes for full details of the updates included in version 2.
Information: Apprenticeship unit funding rules for 2026 to 2027
Version 1 of the apprenticeship unit funding rules for the 2026 to 2027 funding year is now available.
These rules apply to apprenticeship units that start on or after 1 August 2026. You should review the rules to understand how they affect apprenticeship unit delivery and funding.
Read the summary of changes for full details of the updates included in version 1.
Information: Apprenticeship unit technical funding guide from August 2026
The apprenticeship unit technical funding guide for August 2026 is now available.
The guide explains apprenticeship unit funding policy in England and how the apprenticeship unit funding system works for new starts on or after 1 August 2026.
You can use the guide to understand funding arrangements and support delivery planning.
Information: Apprenticeship workforce development resources
Apprenticeship workforce development (AWD) resources remain available until September 2026 under the Open Government Licence.
Although the AWD programme closed in April 2026, providers and employers can continue to access AWD resources that support apprenticeship delivery, learner support and workforce development. They provide practical tools, guidance and examples of effective practice to support high-quality apprenticeships.
Users have reported improvements in apprentice reviews, learner conversations, programme oversight and collaboration across training organisations and employers.
Information: Skills Bootcamp eligibility extended for young people
Young people will now be able to join a Skills Bootcamp from the day they turn 19.
Previously, eligibility was limited to learners who turned 19 on or before Monday 31 August, meaning some young people had to wait until the next academic year to access training.
The change means eligible learners can start training sooner, helping them gain skills for employment more quickly through earlier access to courses. Local areas who deliver Skills Bootcamps will receive updated funding guidance with more detail on the change as it is implemented.
We are also updating the individualised learner record for the 2026 to 2027 academic year so that the additional starts can be captured.
This supports the government’s ambition to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training, or who are at risk of becoming so.