Summary
Principles and processes we use to approve qualifications for funding in England.
This manual is for awarding organisations (AOs).
It sets out:
- the common approval principles that we apply to approve qualifications for funding
- where there are specific approval principles, and which offers we apply them to
- how and when we review qualifications for funding approval
- which qualifications we will approve for post-16 funding during the qualification funding approval moratorium
- how we maintain the offers through the funding year
- how we manage and monitor reformed qualifications
This manual applies to funding approval reviews taking place in the 2025 to 2026 funding year, which runs from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026. This includes how to make changes to approved reformed qualifications.
We will first use this manual when considering funding approval in our Autumn approval window (November 2025). We will take a download of the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications on 21 October 2025. We will consider all newly regulated qualifications for funding approval using this manual.
We will consider any application for funding approval or a moratorium exemption after the date of publication using this manual.
Key updates to this manual
Key updates in this manual relate to:
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introduction of the qualifications funding and approval service tool (QFAST)
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availability of qualification specifications during funding approval
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rollover – the extension of funding approval into 2026 to 2027
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changes to date data on the List of Qualifications approved for funding
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managing and monitoring reformed qualifications
We may update this manual at any time. AOs should check regularly for any updates.
During 2025 to 2026, we expect to make updates about:
- operation of the post-16 moratorium at level 3 and below
- moratorium on advanced learner loans funding for level 4 to level 6 qualifications
- Lifelong Learning Entitlement
- further rollout of the digital application portal QFAST
We may also change the timing and frequency of funding approval windows.
Funding approval windows
We operate three termly funding approval windows. The deadlines for the receipt of applications and entering details on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications are as follows.
| Funding approval window | Deadline for applications and updating Ofqual Register etc |
|---|---|
| Spring: February 2026 | 16 February 2026 |
| Summer: June 2026 | 18 May 2026 |
| Autumn: November 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
Contents
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Summary of what this manual includes and where to find information not included in this manual.
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The difference between funding approval and funding validity.
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The impact on our approval principles and processes because of ongoing qualification reform.
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The changes we have made to our approval principles and process for the funding year 2025 to 2026.
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How we treat qualifications with removed funding approval. Why and when we have removed or will remove funding approval for groups of qualifications.
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Criteria that all qualifications need to meet to be approved for funding.
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Criteria that qualifications in the 14 to 16 offer need to meet.
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Criteria that qualifications in the 16 to 19 offer need to meet.
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Criteria that qualifications in the DfE-funded adult skills fund (ASF) local flexibility offer must meet.
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Criteria that qualifications in the advanced learner loans offer need to meet.
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Criteria that qualifications in the statutory entitlements offer need to meet.
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How components that are already approved for funding will be approved in 2025 to 2026.
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Criteria that qualifications in the free courses for jobs offer need to meet.
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We stopped routinely considering new regulated qualifications at level 3 and below for funding approval, for students aged 16 and over (including 19 plus), from 1 September 2020. We will continue to approve some new qualifications for funding where they meet exemption criteria.
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The stages we use to review qualifications.
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How we manage changes you make to approved qualifications that impact funding approval status.
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How you can get in touch with us if you have any questions about the principles and processes in this manual.
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Some of the processes we describe in this manual state that you need to send us information through a form. This section of the manual contains those forms.
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This shows the step-by-step process that awarding organisations must follow to get funding approval in England for a qualification.