Guidance

Qualification descriptions

Updated 11 October 2024

Applies to England

Introduction

Section 132 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 allows organisations to apply to be recognised for ‘descriptions of qualifications’ as well as individual qualifications.

This guidance explains the different qualification types (or descriptions of qualifications) you can apply for. These may be at different levels or in different sector subject areas.

Qualification descriptions

Regulatory Qualification Type

Qualifications that are regulated by the General Conditions of Recognition and one or more set of additional regulatory rules. These Types are:

• Advanced Extension Award
• English for Speakers of Other Languages
• Functional Skills
• Digital Functional Skills
• GCE A Level
• GCE AS Level
• GCSE (9 to 1)
• Project
• End-Point Assessment
• Essential Digital Skills
• Technical Qualification

Qualifications subject only to the General Conditions of Recognition

Qualifications that are regulated only by the General Conditions of Recognition.

Specific qualification description

This describes a scope of recognition which is bespoke and specific and does not fit elsewhere.

Sector subject areas

We classify all qualifications using the numbered categories in the tables below. You will need to refer to these tables when making your application for recognition.

Ofqual published non-statutory guidance for assigning qualifications to SSAs on Thursday 7 March 2024. Ofqual expects awarding organisations to give due regard to this guidance before assigning new qualifications to SSAs or when reviewing their qualification offer.

1 - Health, Public Services and Care
1.1 - Medicine and dentistry
1.2 - Nursing, and subjects and vocations allied to medicine
1.3 - Health and social care
1.4 - Public services
1.5 - Child development and well being

2 - Science and Mathematics
2.1 - Science
2.2 - Mathematics and statistics

3 - Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
3.1 - Agriculture
3.2 - Horticulture and forestry
3.3 - Animal care and veterinary science
3.4 - Environmental conservation

4 - Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
4.1 - Engineering
4.2 - Manufacturing technologies
4.3 - Transportation operations and maintenance

5 - Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
5.1 - Architecture
5.2 - Building and construction
5.3 - Urban, rural and regional planning

6 – Digital Technology​
6.1 – Digital technology (practitioners​)
6.2 – Digital technology (users) ​

7 - Retail and Commercial Enterprise
7.1 - Retailing and wholesaling
7.2 - Warehousing and distribution
7.3 - Service enterprises
7.4 - Hospitality and catering

8 - Leisure, Travel and Tourism
8.1 - Sport, leisure and recreation
8.2 - Travel and tourism

9 - Arts, Media and Publishing
9.1 - Performing arts
9.2 - Crafts, creative arts and design
9.3 - Media and communication
9.4 - Publishing and information services

10 - History, Philosophy and Theology
10.1 - History
10.2 - Archaeology and archaeological sciences
10.3 - Philosophy
10.4 - Theology and religious studies

11 - Social Sciences
11.1 - Geography
11.2 - Sociology and social policy
11.3 - Politics
11.4 - Economics
11.5 - Anthropology

12 - Languages, Literature and Culture
12.1 - Languages, literature and culture of the British isles
12.2 - Other languages, literature and culture
12.3 - Linguistics

13 - Education and Training
13.1 - Teaching and lecturing
13.2 - Direct learning support

14 - Preparation for Life and Work
14.1 - Foundations for learning and life
14.2 - Preparation for work

15 - Business, Administration and Law
15.1 - Accounting and finance
15.2 - Administration
15.3 - Business management
15.4 - Marketing and sales
15.5 - Law and legal services