Advanced learner loans: other approval criteria
Criteria that qualifications in the advanced learner loans offer need to meet.
This section of the manual sets out:
- that level 3 qualifications remain in scope of loans funding approval
- the moratorium for non-Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) level 4 to level 6 and how to apply for an exemption
- that level 4 to 5 Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) remain in scope of loans funding approval and their automatic approval
- the principles that only apply when we approve qualifications for the loans offer
- how you can ask us to approve a qualification for loans
- the information you need to send us for that review, and when you need to send it
These qualifications must also meet the common funding approval criteria.
You can ask us to consider adding a level 3 qualification to the Advanced Learner Loans offer. To do this, you must complete the appropriate moratorium exemption form.
To be approved for the loans offer, a qualification must be at least 150 guided learning hours (GLH) in size, as shown in the regulated GLH value in Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications. We will consider some exceptions to this size threshold.
It must also be one of the following qualification types:
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Access to Higher Education (HE) diplomas
-
GCE A levels and AS levels
-
an Ofqual regulated qualification approved by Skills England as an HTQ and available for delivery from September 2022 and not funded through Higher Education Student Finance
-
technical qualifications that support clear routes into and through employment, and progression to higher level skills
-
core maths qualifications
During the moratorium, we will only approve a qualification at level 3 in the loans offer if it meets the criteria to be an exemption in the moratorium.
For loans, we define technical qualifications as those that support one of the following learning outcomes:
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progression to and through higher level technical skills in the context of skilled employment, by:
-
having a clear focus on a particular occupational area
-
being clear about how it supports progression into that occupational area through skilled employment, and progression to higher level skills
-
-
direct entry to a specific job role
-
continuing professional development in a specific occupation
-
upskilling or reskilling in an occupational area
There is a moratorium on the entry of non-HTQ level 4 to level 6 qualifications to the loans offer.
The loans moratorium does not apply to level 3 qualifications or level 4 and level 5 HTQs.
The loans moratorium continues to operate but until further notice.
You can update current loans-funded qualifications by applying for a loans’ moratorium exemption.
We have introduced an exemption to the loans’ moratorium.
We will consider approving new replacement qualifications for funding during the moratorium where they meet:
- the exemption criteria
- our funding approval principles
This exemption only applies to regulated non-HTQ qualifications at level 4 to 6 added to Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications on or after 1 April 2024.
We will only consider new qualifications that are direct replacements for existing approved qualifications.
Funding approvals
Qualifications approved during the moratorium to replace a qualification confirmed as transferring to LLE will be approved:
- in loans until 31 July 2028 or their operational end date if earlier
- in LLE from 1 January 2027 until 31 July 2028 or their operational end date if earlier
Qualifications approved during the moratorium to replace a qualification confirmed as not transferring to LLE will be approved:
- in loans until 31 December 2026 or their operational end date if earlier
We set out the types of criteria and the information we will require to consider an exemption in the Identifying qualifications to consider as a loans moratorium exemption section and in this section.
Exemption: Qualifications that we have already approved in loans for 2024 to 2025 but need updating
During the moratorium, you may need to update a qualification to make sure that it:
- still complies with Ofqual’s conditions of recognition
- continues to meet occupational standards
- continues to meet legislative requirements
If your update to an existing qualification means that you must create a replacement qualification with a new qualification number, we will consider the new replacement qualification for funding approval during the moratorium if it:
- has the same or similar purpose to the existing qualification
- is at the same level as the existing qualification
- has a similar title to the existing qualification with only one or two words different
- is a direct replacement for the existing qualification
- has an operational start date in the 2024 to 2025 funding year
We will continue to fund students who have started the existing qualification on or before the last date for new starts, until they complete the qualification or reach the certification end date.
We will apply a funding approval end date for the existing qualification 2 months after we publish details of the new qualification, unless:
- you have set an earlier operational end date in Ofqual’s register
- the new qualification has an operational start date that is more than 2 months in the future at the point we consider it for funding approval
We will not approve for funding qualifications that are similar in content to those that have had funding approval removed or we have announced will have funding approval removed.
We will only approve level 4 to 5 HTQs in loans after:
- they have been approved as an HTQ
- they have been designated for loans-only or dual higher education student finance and loans funding
We will automatically approve level 4 to 5 HTQs where they meet loans criteria and have already been approved as HTQs by Skills England. We will identify level 4 to 5 HTQs through accessing updates to DfE’s internal operational list of approved Higher Technical Qualifications.
You do not need to make an application, but you can notify us by emailing Qualifications.APPROVAL@education.gov.uk and include:
- qualification number on the Ofqual Register
- full qualification title
- date from which the qualification is approved to be delivered as an HTQ
- the funding offer your qualification is designated for: either ‘HESF and loans’ or ‘loans only’
We will only approve these qualifications during our termly funding approval processes.
All HTQs approved:
- before 17 February 2025 will be approved in our March funding approval window
- after 17 February 2025, but before 19 May 2025, will be approved in our June funding approval window
- after 19 May 2025, but before 20 October 2025, will be approved in our November 2025 funding approval window
- from 20 October and before 16 February 2026 will be approved in our March 2026 funding approval window
- from 16 February 2026, but before 18 May 2026, will be approved in our June 2026 funding approval window
- from 18 May 2026, but before 19 October 2026, will be approved in our November 2026 funding approval window
We will write to you if we need you to do anything in this regard. Please note this termly schedule may change as we roll out our digital qualification funding approval service (QFAST) during 2025.
Due to the loans’ moratorium, we will only be able to approve HTQs in the loans offer from the start of the funding year in which the qualification is approved to be delivered as an HTQ. For example, if an HTQ is approved to be delivered from September 2026, we will approve loans funding approval from 1 August 2026.
Advanced Learner Loans approval criteria
To be approved for the loans offer, a qualification must be at least 150 guided learning hours (GLH) in size, as shown in the regulated GLH value in Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications. We will consider some exceptions to this size threshold.
It must also be one of the following qualification types:
- Access to Higher Education (HE) diplomas
- GCE A levels and AS levels
- an Ofqual regulated qualification approved by IfATE as an HTQ and available for delivery from September 2022 and not funded through Higher Education Student Finance
- technical qualifications that support clear routes into and through employment, and progression to higher level skills
- core maths qualifications
During the moratorium, we will only approve a qualification at level 3 in the loans offer if it meets the criteria to be an exemption in the moratorium.
For loans, we define technical qualifications as those that support one of the following learning outcomes:
- progression to and through higher level technical skills in the context of skilled employment, by:
- having a clear focus on a particular occupational area
- being clear about how it supports progression into that occupational area through skilled employment, and progression to higher level skills
- direct entry to a specific job role
- continuing professional development in a specific occupation
- upskilling or reskilling in an occupational area
We have removed the facility to apply for loans funding approval for qualifications below 150 GLH (15 credits). This is because level 3 qualifications were not included in this exemption and HTQs are not expected to be smaller than 150 GLH (15 credits).
We will not ask for evidence that other organisations recognise or endorse the qualification. It will help students to see a clear reference to any organisations that support the qualification. You may want to make students aware if a qualification:
- will lead to professional body membership
- is endorsed by a major employer in that occupational area
- is recognised by an HE institution for progression purposes
The table below sets out the information you should include in published information for students.
| What to include | Value to student |
|---|---|
| The qualification’s content, structure and outcomes | They can see the knowledge, skills and behaviours they will develop and competences they will be able to demonstrate |
| The qualification’s assessment structure and approach | They can see what they will be assessed on, how they will be assessed and at what points they will be assessed |
| An explanation of how the qualification supports the identified outcomes | They can see the progression opportunities in the job roles or occupation, and/or the subjects, qualifications and apprenticeships they can go on to study at the next level |
| Comparison to similar qualifications you offer | They can decide which qualification is appropriate for them |
| Other ways to achieve the same outcome | They can decide which route would be best for them, for example a qualification by taking out a loan or an apprenticeship |
| Reference to organisations that support the qualification | They can see that the qualification will support their entry into HE, into employment or to gain membership status with professional bodies |
| The UCAS points tariff the qualification attracts if it has them | They can see how it will support a HE application |
Where you intend to submit the qualification at level 4 or 5 to the Institute for approval as an HTQ, you must tell us this in the level 4 to 6 notification form. You must also tell us in the form which application cycle you intend to submit the qualification in.