Guidance

The withdrawal process

Published 2 June 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/withdrawing-approval-from-technical-qualifications/the-withdrawal-process

This guidance has been transferred from the previous skills body the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) following its closure on 31 May 2025. The guidance is under review and may be subject to change.

We will inform the Awarding Organisation (AO), when we are considering withdrawing approval from a level 2, level 3, or Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) and communicate any required steps. Where we decide to withdraw approval, we will inform the AO in writing when it will happen and the required next steps.

Next steps may include:

  • re-titling qualifications
  • removal of kitemarks
  • updating the regulator, for example by updating their register

The AO can  request a procedural review linked to this decision.

We may also inform relevant stakeholders of our decision to withdraw approval, including:

  • regulatory organisations
  • the Department for Education (DfE)
  • the Student Loans Company (if appropriate)
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