Research and analysis

Qualifications price index 2021

An analysis of the changes in pricing of regulated qualifications in England between 2020 and 2021.

Applies to England

Documents

Qualifications price index 2021

Qualification price index 2021: accessible data tables

Details

Key findings

  1. The average price for all qualifications increased by 3.7% between 2020 and 2021, compared with 3.2% between 2019 and 2020.
  2. The price for general qualifications increased overall by 4.2% between 2020 and 2021 giving an average A level price of £105.12 and GCSE price of £43.91.
  3. The price for vocational and technical qualifications increased overall by 1.9% for the same period.

Qualification arrangements in 2021 did not include a summer exam series for GCSEs, AS or A levels. Therefore, exam boards issued rebates to school, colleges and exam centres to reflect these cost savings. The analysis set out above does not reflect those rebates, and so should be treated with caution.

Published 24 February 2022