Higher technical qualifications (HTQs): an introduction
Updated 26 August 2026
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-technical-qualifications-overview/higher-technical-qualification-an-introduction
This guidance is for:
- providers that are considering offering an approved higher technical qualification (HTQ)
- awarding bodies that are thinking about submitting qualifications for approval as an HTQ
If you are considering studying for an HTQ, visit the National Careers Service. You can also search and apply for courses on the UCAS website.
What a higher technical qualification is
HTQs are level 4 and 5 qualifications such as higher national certificates (HNCs), higher national diplomas (HNDs) and foundation degrees. They have been quality marked as offering the skills employers need. HTQs sit between A levels or T Levels and degrees, and can be taught at a further education college, an independent training provider or a university. They provide an alternative to apprenticeships or degrees.
These qualifications have been developed by awarding bodies in collaboration with employers so students can develop the skills that employers want.
The Department for Education approves qualifications that meet the knowledge and skills needed by the sector. Approved courses show the HTQ quality mark logo.
In the Post-16 education and skills white paper, the government announced reforms to the criteria used to approve qualifications, making the HTQ approval process more flexible. Guidance on these reforms will follow.
Available subjects
HTQ courses are currently being taught in a wide range of sectors, including:
- agriculture, environmental and animal care
- business and administration
- care services
- catering and hospitality
- construction and the built environment
- creative and design
- digital
- education and early years
- engineering and manufacturing
- health and science
- legal, finance and accounting
- protective services
- sales, marketing and procurement
Two occupational routes do not currently have level 4 and 5 occupational standards in scope for HTQ approvals. These are:
- hair and beauty
- transport and logistics
This will remain under review with the aim of launching these routes once relevant standards are available.
Student finance
Students starting a recognised HTQ course are eligible for higher education student finance if their course lasts at least one year. This means they can apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time courses.
HTQ courses that are shorter than a year in duration may be eligible for the advanced learner loan, which covers the tuition fee loan but not maintenance loan.
From January 2027, courses delivered by an Office for Students (OfS)-registered provider will be eligible for funding under the lifelong learning entitlement (LLE).
All courses with in-person attendance that are eligible for LLE tuition funding will also be eligible for maintenance loans and targeted grants.
Find out more
Providers interested in offering HTQ courses should check the list of approved HTQs.
A toolkit is available for providers of HTQs.