Higher technical qualifications (HTQs): guidance for applicants
How to submit a qualification for approval or make changes to existing approved higher technical qualifications.
Applies to England
Overview
This guidance explains how to:
- submit a qualification for approval
- request changes to an approved technical qualification
- withdraw an approved technical qualification
Who this guidance is for
This guidance is for organisations that manage technical qualifications, including awarding organisations (AOs).
Higher technical qualifications (HTQs)
You can apply for HTQ recognition at any time.
Application steps
To apply for recognition, you should follow these steps:
- Step 1: request and read the required materials
- Step 2: book a support session
- Step 3: submit a pre-application
- Step 4: if advised, submit a full application
Before you apply
Applicants need to read the HTQ approvals criteria and terms and conditions before applying as part of the application process.
You can request them from the Department for Education (DfE) at THTQ.contact@education.gov.uk.
Support sessions
Before you apply, you must attend a support session.
The support session helps you understand:
- the evidence required
- how to complete the application
Staff involved in designing and delivering the qualification should attend.
Use the DfE HTQ support session booking system to arrange a session.
How to submit a higher technical qualification for approval
You will receive all the information you need about pre-application and the application process from the:
- HTQ approvals criteria
- terms and conditions
- support session
Request changes to approved technical qualifications
The 2 groups that can request changes to approved technical qualifications are:
- organisations that manage approved technical qualifications, including AOs
- the Technical and the Higher Technical Qualification (THTQ) delivery team
This guidance applies to all approved technical qualifications except those in a T level programme.
Changes are considered either minor or major.
Minor changes
You do not need to submit a formal change request, but you must discuss the change with us.
Examples include:
- correcting typographical errors
- clarifying wording without changing meaning
- updating definitions that do not affect assessment or delivery
Major changes
You must follow the full change request process.
Examples include changes to:
- the qualification’s purpose or title
- content or structure
- alignment to occupational standards
- any aspect of the assessment
- guided learning hours or total qualification time
- sector subject area
- availability in England
Change requests from AOs
AOs should follow these steps to make any changes to an approved qualification.
Step 1: Book a support session
You must discuss your proposed changes with the THTQ delivery team by booking a support session.
The THTQ delivery team is part of DfE and is responsible for approving non-T level technical qualifications.
The THTQ delivery team will tell you:
- if the change is minor or major
- whether you need to submit a formal request
Step 2: Submit a change request
If required, you must:
- submit a change request form
- provide all required supporting documentation
You must also:
- tell us if the change requires additional regulatory recognition (for example, from a professional or statutory body)
- notify Ofqual of changes to assessment, if applicable
- update all qualification materials
What happens next
We aim to respond within 8 weeks of receiving a complete request.
Complex requests may take longer.
Change requests from the THTQ delivery team
We may ask you to make changes:
- due to updates to occupational standards
- if the qualification no longer meets approval criteria
You must:
- submit updated materials within 6 months
- contact us if you cannot meet this deadline
In some cases, we may decide that a qualification is no longer fit for purpose.
If this happens, we will inform you of our intention to withdraw approval and explain the next steps.
Withdrawing approval from technical qualifications
Withdrawals initiated by DfE
If we decide to withdraw approval, we will:
- notify you in writing
- explain next steps
This may include:
- retitling qualifications
- removing kitemarks
- notifying regulators
We may also notify stakeholders, such as:
- regulatory organisations
- the Student Loans Company
You may:
- submit evidence to support continued approval
- request a procedural review
Withdrawals initiated by AOs
You must tell us if you plan to withdraw a qualification by emailing THTQ.contact@education.gov.uk.
Procedural review
A procedural review checks whether we followed the correct process when making a decision.
It does not reconsider the decision itself.
You can request a review only after a final decision has been made.
It is separate from our complaints procedure.
When you can request a review
You can apply if you believe we:
-
failed to follow published processes in a way that could have changed the outcome
-
overlooked or misunderstood relevant information that could have changed the outcome
-
considered irrelevant information that could have changed the outcome
-
acted without having the legal power to do so
How to request a review
To request a review, email THTQ.contact@education.gov.uk.
You should include:
- what was incorrect about the process
- how this may have affected the decision
You must send your request within 20 working days of the final decision.
If you are unable to meet the deadline, please contact us as soon as possible and explain why you need an extension. We will consider extension requests on a case-by-case basis.
Timescales
We will acknowledge your request within 2 working days.
We will complete the review as quickly as possible.
Outcomes
If your request is accepted, the procedural review will be carried out by someone who was not involved in the original decision.
If your request is not accepted, we will explain why in writing.
Where appropriate, we may share your request with:
- Ofqual
- the Office for Students (OfS)