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Guidance

Guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below in England

An overview of post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below for awarding organisations and providers.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
11 May 2022
Last updated:
25 April 2024
Show all updates

  1. Updated the guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below. We have listed the latest changes in the “Updates to this document” section.

  2. Replaced the PDF documents 'Timeline for the approval of post-16 qualifications at level 2 for 2025' and 'Timeline for the approval of post-16 qualifications at level 3 for 2025' with HTML documents. No factual changes have been made to the content.

  3. Updated 'Guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below' to reflect latest information on the cycles and reforms.

  4. Updated 'Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below from spring 2023' to reflect changes in open consultations.

  5. Updated ' Guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below' and 'Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below from spring 2023'. Added 'Timeline for the approval of post-16 qualifications at level 2 for 2025'.

  6. Added 'Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below from spring 2023'.

  7. The 'Guide to the post-16 qualifications landscape at level 3 and below for 2025 and beyond' has been replaced with an updated version. The 'Timeline for the post-16 qualifications landscape at level 3 and below for 2025 and beyond' has been added.

  8. First published.

This publication was withdrawn on

An updated list of post-16 level 3 qualifications that have had their funding approval extended or removed from 1 August 2025 is now available.

Applies to England

Documents

[WITHDRAWN] Guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below

PDF, 1.09 MB, 49 pages

Timeline for the approval of post-16 qualifications at level 2 for 2025

HTML

Timeline for the approval of post-16 qualifications at level 3 for 2025

HTML

Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below from spring 2023

HTML

Details

The guide provides a high-level overview of the post-16 qualifications landscape from 2025 onwards, including:

  • changes to the funding approval process and criteria
  • the subjects that will be considered for funding
  • the implications for the availability of qualifications for teaching in England

The separate level 2 and 3 timeline documents provide a chronology of important dates for awarding organisations.

‘Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below from spring 2023’ signposts awarding organisations and providers to information that is already available and which they may find helpful in preparing for the reforms at level 2 and below.

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