Level 2 and 3 qualifications to have 16 to 19 funding approval removed in 2027
Public funding approval will be removed for new 16 to 19 students from 1 August 2027.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
On 10 March 2026, the Department for Education published the government’s response to the Post-16 level 3 and below pathways consultation. As part of this response, in 2027 public funding approval will be removed for new 16 to 19 student starts from legacy vocational and technical Level 2 and 3 qualifications in certain subject areas in line with the details set out in the Implementation Plan to the reformed 16 to 19 qualifications landscape.
Update on T Level scoping and associated Level 3 qualifications in Habitat and Land Management
We have taken a policy decision to scope potential new T Levels, including in Habitat Management, in line with the Implementation Plan published in May 2026. This is part of our plans for exploring new T Levels in Agriculture and Land Management, following further consideration and engagement with the land-based sector.
As a result, we will maintain 16 to 19 funding approval for two qualifications above 1080GLH (City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management and Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Countryside Management), which have therefore been removed from the final list of qualifications that will have funding removed in 2027.
Update to DfE position on the funding Access to HE Diplomas
Access to HE Diplomas are an important pathway designed to support adults to enter higher education, particularly for those individuals who did not follow a traditional academic route. That is why we are maintaining funding for Access to HE Diplomas for students aged 18 and above.
Students who are aged 19 and above will continue to be able to access funding through Advanced Learner Loans (ALLs). Students who take an ALL for an Access to HE Diploma will have the outstanding balance written off if they complete an eligible higher education course, such as an undergraduate degree.
From academic year 2027 to 2028, for Access to HE diplomas relating to the subjects in the first tranche of V Levels, students who are aged 18 to 24 years old, and are eligible for the 16 to 19 study programme funding will retain funding by exception.
We will publish guidance on the exceptions in the Implementation Plan update in early 2027.
For students aged 16 and 17, the Post-16 education and skills white paper set out our plans to introduce reformed qualifications pathways at levels 2 and 3, responding to the recommendations made in the Curriculum and assessment review final report.
The reformed qualifications will ensure every young person has a clear choice of education pathways that support them to succeed in work and in life. For level 3 qualifications, a student aged 16 or 17 who wishes to progress into higher level study, including higher education or an apprenticeship, will have a choice between A levels, V Levels, a mix of both, or a T Level.
Updates to this page
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Added 'Level 2 and 3 qualifications to have 16 to 19 funding approval removed from 1 August 2027' and removed 'Additional qualifications removed from public funding 2027', 'Qualifications removed from public funding 2027: 1080 GLH and above', 'Guidance on removal of qualifications approved for public funding: post-16 level 3' and 'Updates to outcomes of the review of qualifications reform at level 3: equality impact assessment'.
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Updated the definition of a qualification to include 'the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)' in 'Guidance on removal of additional qualifications approved for public funding: post-16 level 2 and 3'.
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Added 'Additional qualifications removed from public funding 2027' 'Guidance on removal of additional qualifications approved for public funding: post-16 level 2 and 3' and 'Additional 16 to 19 qualifications funding approvals update: equality impact assessment'.
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First published.