Qualification funding approval manual

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 and remains in effect until a reviewed or updated version is published.

This includes how we fund 3 new qualification types introduced through the Post-16 pathways reforms, and how to make changes to the reformed Alternative Academic Qualifications and Technical Occupation Qualifications.

We will first use this manual when considering funding approval in our Autumn approval window (November 2026). We will take a download of the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications on 21 October 2026. 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: 

• the expansion of free courses for jobs (FCFJ) to include level 2 engineering and manufacturing qualifications

• funding approval arrangements for the 3 new qualification types introduced through the post-16 pathways reforms: V Levels, occupational certificates and foundation certificates

• continued approval of units 

• funding for access to higher education diplomas through 16 to 19 study programmes for learners aged 18 and over, in exceptional circumstances

• V Levels under the adult skills fund first full level 3 entitlement offer

• the expansion of higher technical qualification (HTQ) categories, including the introduction of the Additional Specialist category from January 2027

• T Levels becoming part of the level 3 legal entitlement for eligible young adults from August 2027

• the lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) qualification gateway, launching in January 2027 for Ofqual regulated non-technical level 4 qualifications and technical level 5 and level 6 qualifications

• changes to adult skills fund (ASF) funding arrangements, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funding the programme and the Department for Education (DfE) continuing to administer it

• qualifications funding and approval service tool (QFAST) 

• requirements for making qualification specifications available during the funding approval process

• rollover arrangements extending funding approval into the 2026 to 2027 academic year

• changes to date data on the List of Qualifications approved for funding  

• arrangements for managing and monitoring reformed qualifications

During 2026 to 2027, 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 3 funding approval windows per term. We plan to increase the funding approvals through QFAST and will provide updates on the expansion of this process and further guidance within the next few months.

In the meantime the deadlines for the receipt of applications and entering details on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualification are: 

Funding approval window	Deadline for applications and updating Ofqual Register
Autumn: November 2026	21 October 2026
Spring: February 2027	15 February 2027
Summer: June 2027	17 May 2027
Autumn: November 2027	18 October 2027