Overview
Updated 10 January 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-organisations-submitting-qualifications-for-approval/overview
Use this guide to submit level 3 alternative academic qualifications (AAQs) and level 2 and level 3 technical qualifications for approval (including post-16 funding approval in England).
This process guide currently applies to level 3 AAQs and level 2 and level 3 technical qualifications in certain subjects, categories and routes. The approval process is being implemented in cycles and will apply to other qualifications in subsequent cycles, where the qualification is not subject to automatic approval.
The ‘Guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below in England’ provides an overview, guidance and timelines for qualification approvals and funding.
AAQs at level 3 will need to meet the Department for Education’s (DfE) necessity criteria to be approved. Technical qualifications at level 2 and level 3 will need to meet the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IfATE) criteria to be approved.
For both AAQs and technical qualifications, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) will review submissions and feed back to DfE. DfE will take account of this feedback when making final funding approval decisions.
A diagram showing a high-level outline of the approvals process is also available.