This manual describes how and when the Department for Education (DfE) will approve technical and non-technical qualifications for funding in England.
Non-technical qualifications are qualifications which are not based on the occupational standards. These include:
- alternative academic qualifications
- technical progression qualifications which support progression to a level 3 technical qualification
- academic progression qualifications which support progression to a level 3 academic qualification
- T Level foundation qualifications
These qualifications will be taught from:
- 1 August 2025, for qualifications in cycle 1 of our approval process
- 1 August 2026, for qualifications in cycle 2 of our approval process
Who this manual is for
This manual is for Ofqual-regulated awarding organisations.
When the manual will be reviewed
The manual will be updated on a termly basis to include additional information to support you with the funding approval process where required. We will only publish outside of these timescales where there is a need to update.
Previous versions of the manual are available in the National Archives.
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Summary of what this manual includes and where to find additional information.
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Which qualifications are in scope for funding approval, in the relevant approval cycles.
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The 9 stages of the funding approval process.
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How we will transition from the existing funding approval process to the new process, and how existing post-16 qualification offers will change.
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Criteria that all qualifications need to meet to be approved for funding.
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Funding approval criteria that alternative academic qualifications need to meet alongside the common approval and offer-specific criteria.
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Funding approval criteria that technical qualifications need to meet alongside the common approval and offer-specific criteria.
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Funding approval criteria that technical progression qualifications and academic progression qualifications need to meet alongside the common approval and offer-specific criteria.
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Funding approval criteria that T Level foundation qualifications need to meet in addition to the common approval and offer-specific criteria.
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Funding approval criteria that qualifications will need to meet for the 16 to 19 offer alongside the common approval and qualification-type criteria.
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Funding approval criteria that qualifications need to meet for the adult offers alongside the common approval and qualification-type criteria.
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How we manage changes once a qualification is approved for funding and how we monitor the qualification offers.
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How you can get in touch if you have any questions about the funding approval criteria or the process to approve qualifications for funding.
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Help with terms used in this manual
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High-level overview of the approval process and the role of each organisation in the process.