Updates: Qualifications funding approval manual: from August 2025

2024

15 April 2024 published amendments

Added clarification on the criteria which we will apply when we approve qualifications, and on what level 2 progression qualifications are. Removed 2 occupational routes from the T Level foundation qualifications list, as in the section on T Level foundation qualifications.

How to get funding approval

The window to tell DfE that you intend to submit qualifications as part of cycle 2 has closed. You can still submit qualifications if you have not told us you intend to. The window to take part in our cycle 2 walk-through on T Level foundation qualifications has also closed. We have added clarification on providing letters of support when you submit level 2 qualifications and T Level foundation qualifications. We have also clarified some other sections.

Transition to the 2025 to 2026 funding approval process

Added new detail about what will happen to qualifications that are not in scope to have funding approval removed from 1 August 2025. Removed 2 sector subject areas from the T Level foundation qualifications which will be approved for funding in 2026 to 2027. Clarified some details about when we will remove funding approval.

Common funding approval criteria

We have added guidance on how further education providers can estimate publicly funded enrolments. This is under the criterion ‘The qualification has evidence of demand’. We have clarified some detail about new qualifications which are similar to existing qualifications that have had funding approval removed.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: alternative academic qualifications

We have added further detail on how to give a qualification an appropriate title.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: technical and academic progression qualifications at level 2

Added further detail on the sector subject areas where we will approve qualifications. Added further information on writing a purpose statement to show that your qualification supports progression to further study. Added further information on letters of support from providers to show that a qualification is needed. Added further detail on how to give a qualification an appropriate title.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: T Level foundation qualifications

We have removed 2 occupational routes from the cycle 2 qualification approvals process to reflect changes which we previously announced. These are the catering and hospitality route, and the hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy route. We have clarified information throughout, including about how providers can show support for a qualification, how the criteria apply when the national technical outcomes include options, appropriate titles, and Ofqual’s regulatory requirements.

Offer-specific criteria for adult offers

This new section replaces ‘Qualifications approved for funding for adults aged 19 and over’.

Managing and monitoring the qualification offers

We have clarified the changes to qualifications that you need to tell us about, and how we will notify you of any changes.

Overview of approval process

We have clarified the stages of the approvals process.

2023

9 November 2023 published amendments

Scope of this qualification funding approval manual

Qualifications which we will approve

New section added. This, and the 'How to get funding approval' section, replace previous sections on the funding approval process.

How to get funding approval

New section added. This section and the section on qualifications which we will approve replace previous sections on the funding approval process.

Transition to the 2025 to 2026 funding approval process

The manual now includes information about the approval process for level 2 and level 3 non-technical and technical qualifications, which will first be taught from 1 August 2026. Updated this section to reflect the impact on the moratorium, qualifications we will approve as part of the 2024 to 2025 process and when we will remove funding approval.

Common funding approval criteria

Updated to include information about the approval process for level 2 and level 3 non-technical and technical qualifications, which will first be taught from 1 August 2026. Added information and clarification on the criteria, and evidence which awarding organisations need to submit to show that their qualifications meet the criteria.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: alternative academic qualifications

Updated to include information about AAQs which we will consider for funding approval to first teach from 1 August 2026. Added information and clarification on the criteria, and evidence which awarding organisations need to submit to show that their qualifications meet the criteria.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: technical qualifications

Updated to include information about technical qualifications which we will consider for funding approval to first teach from 1 August 2026.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: technical and academic progression qualifications at level 2

New section added.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: T Level foundation qualifications

New section added.

Offer-specific funding approval criteria: 16 to 19 offer

Added details on qualifications in cycle 2 of the approval process which will not need to meet additional funding approval criteria to be offered to 16 to 19 year olds.

Managing and monitoring the qualification offers

Definitions

Added definitions for cross cutting, employer proposed, occupational progression and T Level foundation year. Amended the existing entry for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Overview of approval process

Annex A: overview of submission process

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available elsewhere in the manual. We explain how to submit qualifications in the ‘How to get funding approval’ section.

Funding approval process for 2025 to 2026

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available in the ‘Qualifications which we will approve’ and ‘How to get funding approval’ sections.

Alternative academic qualifications: funding approval process

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available in the ‘Qualifications which we will approve’ and ‘How to get funding approval’ sections.

Level 3 technical qualifications: funding approval process

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available in the ‘Qualifications which we will approve’ and ‘How to get funding approval’ sections.

Level 2 technical qualifications: funding approval process

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available in the ‘Qualifications which we will approve’ and ‘How to get funding approval’ sections.

Information in Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications

Withdrew this section. The relevant information is now available in the ‘How to get funding approval’ section, in the stage where awarding organisations add qualifications to the Ofqual register.

24 May 2023 published amendments

Funding approval process for 2025 to 2026

Updated links to Ofqual qualification level conditions in 'What offers we will consider qualifications for'.

20 April 2023 published amendments

Scope of this qualification funding approval manual

Updated to include references to qualifications at level 2 and below.

Funding approval process for 2025 to 2026

Included information about how DfE will approve level 2 technical qualifications for funding.

Transition to the 2025 to 2026 funding approval process

Included information about the transition for level 2 qualifications. Added detail on how and when DfE will confirm which existing qualifications will have funding approval removed from 1 August 2025.

Common funding approval criteria

Added information on when and how to add qualifications onto Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications. This is in criterion 1, on your scope of recognition. Also added information on level 2 qualifications to this section. Clarified how we apply criterion 6 – qualifications having funding approval removed – if you submit a new qualification for post 16 offers.

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: alternative academic qualifications

Clarified criteria on qualifications being within a specified sector subject area (criterion 1), qualifications supporting progression to higher education (criterion 3) and mandatory content (criterion 7).

Qualification-type funding approval criteria: technical qualifications

Added the sector subject areas that are mapped to occupational routes for level 2 technical qualifications. Added 4 more qualifications that will not need to meet qualification type funding approval criteria.

Offer-specific funding approval criteria: 16 to 19 offer

Added reference to level 2 technical qualifications. Added 4 more qualifications that will automatically be included in the 16 to 19 offer if they meet the common funding approval criteria.

Qualifications approved for funding for adults aged 19 and over

Added information about level 2 qualifications. Added clarification on information needed in the submission form and Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications.

Alternative academic qualifications: funding approval process

Updated information on the evidence which awarding organisations (AOs) need to submit (stage 2). Added information on when and how to add qualifications onto Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications to the scope of recognition section (stage 3). Clarified the process for review of funding approval outcomes (stage 5). Updated the ‘registration’ section (stage 1), as the window for AOs to inform us of their intention to submit an AAQ has now closed.

Level 3 technical qualifications: funding approval process

Added information on when and how to add qualifications onto Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications to the scope of recognition section (stage 3). Clarified the process for review of funding approval outcomes (stage 5). Updated the ‘registration’ section (stage 1). The windows for awarding organisations to inform us of their intention to submit a technical qualification, and to submit a proposal for additional specialist technical qualifications, have now closed.

Level 2 technical qualifications: funding approval process

New section added.

Managing and monitoring the qualification offers

Updated information on how we manage changes and monitor qualification offers throughout this section.

Annex A: overview of submission process

Updated with dates for awarding organisations (AOs) to register their interest to submit level 2 technical qualifications and complete submission forms. The window for AOs to register their interest to submit a level 3 technical or alternative academic qualification has now closed.

Annex B: overview of approval process

Approvals process diagram now includes level 2 technical qualifications.

Registration forms

'Registration forms' section removed.