Principles and processes we use to approve qualifications for funding in England
This manual 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
This manual applies to both the remainder of the 2022 to 2023 funding year and to the 2023 to 2024 funding year, which runs from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024.
We’ll first use this manual when considering funding approval in our August funding approval cycle. We’ll take our monthly download of Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications on 18 July 2023 and all newly regulated qualifications will be considered for funding approval using this manual.
We’ll consider applications for funding approval or moratorium exemptions received after the date of publication using this manual.
Who this manual is for
This manual is for awarding organisations but will also be of interest to providers of education and training.
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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 2023 to 2024.
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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 alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the 16 to 19 offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the ESFA-funded adult education budget (AEB) local flexibility offer and European Social Fund level 2 and below offer need to meet, alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the advanced learner loans offer need to meet, alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the statutory entitlements offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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How components that are already approved for funding will be approved in 2023 to 2024.
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Criteria that qualifications in the level 3 free courses for jobs offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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How the moratorium affects our funded qualification offers and information about exemptions.
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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.