Annual Qualifications Market Report: 2021 to 2022 academic year
Updated 19 October 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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This release provides information on the number and types of qualifications available for award and the number of certificates awarded by Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations in England during the 2021 to 2022 academic year. It also includes some statistics on regulated qualifications certified in international jurisdictions by recognised awarding organisations.
1. Key headlines
The key headlines in the qualifications market for the 2021 to 2022 academic year in England were:
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There were 11,400 active qualifications (available qualifications with certificates) in the academic year 2021 to 2022, a 3.0% decrease on the previous year.
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In total 11.0 million certificates were issued for GCSE, AS, A level and vocational and other qualifications in England over the 2021 to 2022 academic year, up 2.2% compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
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There were 6.1 million GCSE, AS and A level certificates awarded in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, down by 0.6% compared to the previous year.
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There were 4.9 million certificates awarded for vocational and other qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, up by 5.8% compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
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The awarding organisations with the largest market shares in the academic year 2021 to 2022 were AQA (34.4%), Pearson (20.5%), OCR (6.7%) and City & Guilds (5.0%).
The release covers regulated qualifications across general qualifications (GCSE, AS and A level), and vocational and other qualifications. Please note where this release refers to ‘vocational and other’ qualifications, this means all qualifications other than general qualifications, apprenticeship end-point assessments (EPAs) and T Level Technical Qualifications (TQs). Further information on the qualifications included in this release is found in the background notes accompanying this release.
Alternative arrangements for many assessments were in place in the 2020 to 2021 academic year in response to continuing disruption due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The 2021 to 2022 academic year saw the return of exams and other formal assessments, with some adaptations. The trends seen in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, particularly when compared against the 2020 to 2021 academic year, may have been affected as a result. More information on these arrangements can be found in the background notes for this release.
2. Number of awarding organisations offering regulated qualifications
Any organisation that wants to offer regulated qualifications in England has to be recognised by Ofqual. Any new awarding organisation needs to meet Ofqual’s Criteria for Recognition and, once recognised, all awarding organisations need to continue to meet Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition.
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of awarding organisations | 154 | 160 | 164 | 178 | 229 |
There were 229 Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations during the 2021 to 2022 academic year. This number includes 38 awarding organisations who delivered EPAs for apprenticeship standards only during the 2021 to 2022 academic year, and 46 awarding organisations that had no active qualifications (available qualifications with certificates) during the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Please note that elsewhere in the report, statistics on qualifications and certifications do not include apprenticeship EPAs.
3. Regulated qualifications
Information on qualifications including title, type, awarding organisation, sector subject area and level is taken from the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
3.1 Number of available qualifications
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of qualifications with certificates | 12,757 | 12,269 | 11,645 | 11,744 | 11,387 |
| Number of qualifications without certificates | 6,771 | 6,737 | 6,818 | 6,419 | 6,199 |
| Total number of qualifications | 19,528 | 19,006 | 18,463 | 18,163 | 17,586 |
There were 17,600 qualifications available to certificate in the 2021 to 2022 academic year. This is a 3.2% decrease compared to the previous year, continuing the downward trend seen over the past 5 years. No certificates will have been issued for some qualifications because they are new and/or require a 1 or 2 year course of study before students can certificate.
Of these available qualifications, 11,400 had certifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, a 3.0% decrease compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
3.2 Number of available qualifications by type
Qualification types are used to describe the nature of qualifications and are contained within the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
| Qualification type | Number of qualifications available to certificate in 2020 to 2021 | Number of qualifications available to certificate in 2021 to 2022 | Number of qualifications with certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of qualifications with certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE (9 to 1) | 144 | 140 | 139 | 140 |
| A level | 148 | 137 | 142 | 137 |
| AS | 136 | 96 | 120 | 96 |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | 8,387 | 8,112 | 5,201 | 5,098 |
| Occupational Qualification | 4,982 | 4,862 | 3,038 | 2,868 |
| Other Life Skills Qualification | 1,825 | 1,744 | 1,310 | 1,312 |
| Other Vocational Qualification | 868 | 872 | 548 | 581 |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 562 | 625 | 436 | 460 |
| Other General Qualification | 505 | 488 | 385 | 328 |
| English For Speakers of Other Languages | 349 | 367 | 225 | 242 |
| Functional Skills | 205 | 98 | 180 | 98 |
| Essential Digital Skills | 16 | 16 | 9 | 16 |
| Project | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Advanced Extension Award | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| QCF | 17 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Retired Qualifications | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 18,163 | 17,586 | 11,744 | 11,387 |
| Qualification type | Percentage change in the number of qualifications with certifications by qualification type between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| GCSE (9 to 1) | 0.7% |
| A level | -3.5% |
| AS | -20.0% |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | -2.0% |
| Occupational Qualification | -5.6% |
| Other Life Skills Qualification | 0.2% |
| Other Vocational Qualification | 6.0% |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 5.5% |
| Other General Qualification | -14.8% |
| English For Speakers of Other Languages | 7.6% |
| Functional Skills | -45.6% |
| Essential Digital Skills | 77.8% |
| Project | -10.0% |
| Advanced Extension Award | 0.0% |
| QCF | 0.0% |
| Retired Qualifications | 0.0% |
| Total | -3.0% |
The largest proportional increase in the number of available qualifications with certificates was seen in the new Essential Digital Skills qualifications (up by 77.8% this year).
The largest proportional decrease in the number of qualifications with certificates was seen in Functional Skills qualifications (FSQs) in the 2021 to 2022 academic year (down by 45.6%), compared to the previous year. This decrease can be attributed to legacy FSQs being withdrawn from the market and no longer being available to certificate in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, following FSQ reform.
In terms of raw numbers, Occupational and Vocationally-Related qualifications saw the largest decreases in the number of qualifications with certificates (down by 170 and 105, respectively).
4. Certificates awarded for regulated qualifications
4.1 Overall number of certificates
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A level | 736,090 | 720,225 | 717,020 | 763,930 | 773,300 |
| AS | 237,775 | 98,745 | 68,380 | 55,150 | 55,445 |
| GCSE | 5,035,565 | 5,119,705 | 5,313,175 | 5,321,595 | 5,272,685 |
| Vocational & other qualifications | 5,871,140 | 5,824,130 | 4,251,900 | 4,662,735 | 4,934,815 |
| Total | 11,880,570 | 11,762,800 | 10,350,480 | 10,803,405 | 11,036,245 |
The total number of certificates awarded for all qualifications (A level, AS, GCSE and vocational and other qualifications) in the 2021 to 2022 academic year was 11.0 million, up 2.2% compared to the previous year.
The overall number of certificates for A level qualifications has increased by 1.2% compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
AS qualifications also saw a small increase in the number of certificates (up by less than 1% compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year). However, the number of certificates seen in the 2021 to 2022 academic year remains substantially lower than the number seen prior to the decoupling of AS from A levels as part of government policy reforms.
The overall number of certificates for GCSE qualifications has decreased, by just under 1%.
There has been an increase in the overall number of certificates in vocational and other qualifications (up by 5.8%) compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. Despite this increase, figures remain lower than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level.
4.2 Number of certificates by qualification type
| Qualification type | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Share of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 | Share of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE (9 to 1) | 5,321,595 | 49.3% | 5,272,685 | 47.8% |
| A level | 763,930 | 7.1% | 773,300 | 7.0% |
| AS | 55,150 | 0.5% | 55,445 | 0.5% |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | 2,006,365 | 18.6% | 2,010,315 | 18.2% |
| Occupational Qualification | 597,670 | 5.5% | 591,185 | 5.4% |
| Other Vocational Qualification | 398,270 | 3.7% | 535,405 | 4.9% |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 388,030 | 3.6% | 451,755 | 4.1% |
| Other General Qualification | 391,070 | 3.6% | 395,670 | 3.6% |
| English For Speakers of Other Languages | 307,655 | 2.8% | 349,680 | 3.2% |
| Functional Skills | 302,275 | 2.8% | 324,230 | 2.9% |
| Other Life Skills Qualification | 216,790 | 2.0% | 210,135 | 1.9% |
| Project | 52,100 | 0.5% | 52,475 | 0.5% |
| Essential Digital Skills | 2,350 | <0.1% | 13,510 | 0.1% |
| Advanced Extension Award | 85 | <0.1% | 355 | <0.1% |
| QCF | 75 | <0.1% | 95 | <0.1% |
| Retired Qualifications | 0 | 0.0% | 5 | <0.1% |
| Total | 10,803,405 | 100.0% | 11,036,245 | 100.0% |
| Qualification type | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| GCSE (9 to 1) | -0.9% |
| A level | 1.2% |
| AS | 0.5% |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | 0.2% |
| Occupational Qualification | -1.1% |
| Other Vocational Qualification | 34.4% |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 16.4% |
| Other General Qualification | 1.2% |
| English For Speakers of Other Languages | 13.7% |
| Functional Skills | 7.3% |
| Other Life Skills Qualification | -3.1% |
| Project | 0.7% |
| Essential Digital Skills | 474.6% |
| Advanced Extension Award | 311.6% |
| QCF | 27.4% |
| Retired Qualifications | 0.0% |
| Total | 2.2% |
The largest proportional increase in the number of certificates in the 2021 to 2022 academic year among vocational and other qualifications was seen in Essential Digital Skills qualifications (up by 474.6%, equivalent to an increase of 11,200 certificates). The introduction of statutory entitlement to Essential Digital Skills qualifications is likely to be a key driver for this increase.
The largest percentage decrease in the number of certificates among vocational and other qualifications has been in Other Life Skills qualifications (down by 3.1%, equivalent to 6,700 certificates). Occupational qualifications also saw a decrease in certificates (down by 1.1%, equivalent to 6,500 certificates).
4.3 Awarding organisations with the highest number of certificates
| Awarding organisation | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| AQA Education | 3,777,700 | 3,795,670 |
| Pearson Education Ltd | 2,353,180 | 2,263,510 |
| OCR | 751,755 | 743,550 |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 551,165 | 556,600 |
| WJEC | 444,420 | 449,895 |
| NCFE | 368,890 | 332,180 |
| Highfield Qualifications | 222,000 | 301,680 |
| Qualsafe Awards | 180,400 | 238,490 |
| Trinity College London | 196,205 | 190,435 |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | 124,955 | 179,855 |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 167,560 | 171,460 |
| Training Qualifications UK Ltd | 110,535 | 105,180 |
| Ascentis | 85,710 | 94,690 |
| NOCN | 88,865 | 85,905 |
| VTCT | 105,065 | 85,490 |
| Gateway Qualifications Limited | 48,440 | 67,210 |
| Qualifications Network | 43,525 | 65,365 |
| LAMDA | 55,135 | 65,335 |
| RLSS UK Qualifications | 53,880 | 60,440 |
| Cambridge English | 44,115 | 53,130 |
| Other organisations | 1,029,905 | 1,130,170 |
| Total | 10,803,405 | 11,036,245 |
| Awarding organisation | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| AQA Education | 0.5% |
| Pearson Education Ltd | -3.8% |
| OCR | -1.1% |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 1.0% |
| WJEC | 1.2% |
| NCFE | -10.0% |
| Highfield Qualifications | 35.9% |
| Qualsafe Awards | 32.2% |
| Trinity College London | -2.9% |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | 43.9% |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 2.3% |
| Training Qualifications UK Ltd | -4.8% |
| Ascentis | 10.5% |
| NOCN | -3.3% |
| VTCT | -18.6% |
| Gateway Qualifications Limited | 38.7% |
| Qualifications Network | 50.2% |
| LAMDA | 18.5% |
| RLSS UK Qualifications | 12.2% |
| Cambridge English | 20.4% |
| Other organisations | 9.7% |
| Total | 2.2% |
The 20 awarding organisations that reported the highest volume of all certificates in the 2021 to 2022 academic year awarded 89.8% of all certificates. Qualifications Network and Cambridge English are new to the top 20 this year, whilst University of the Arts London and Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited left the top 20.
Highfield Qualifications had the largest increase in the number of certificates (up by 79,700) compared with the previous year.
Qualifications Network has had the largest percentage increase in certificates between 2021 to 2022 and the previous year (up by 50.2%, an increase of 21,800 certificates).
5. General qualifications
5.1 Market share: GCSE
The GCSE market continued to be relatively stable in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | 61.1% | 61.4% | 61.8% | 62.1% | 62.6% |
| OCR | 7.6% | 7.2% | 6.9% | 6.8% | 6.7% |
| Pearson | 25.4% | 25.5% | 25.4% | 25.2% | 24.8% |
| WJEC | 5.9% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 6.0% | 6.0% |
5.2 Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 GCSE subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 GCSE subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined science | 672,400 | 33,280 | 124,965 | 0 | 830,640 |
| Mathematics | 194,330 | 58,275 | 496,825 | 9,295 | 758,725 |
| English language | 576,660 | 8,510 | 69,680 | 76,095 | 730,945 |
| English literature | 455,995 | 7,095 | 51,225 | 52,375 | 566,690 |
| Geography | 182,580 | 25,450 | 48,020 | 15,680 | 271,730 |
| History | 89,880 | 18,250 | 150,245 | 10,045 | 268,425 |
| Religious studies | 133,300 | 6,695 | 46,375 | 50,165 | 236,540 |
| Art and design subjects | 123,860 | 21,620 | 32,790 | 12,950 | 191,220 |
| Biology | 138,690 | 10,505 | 23,090 | 0 | 172,285 |
| Chemistry | 132,855 | 10,015 | 22,595 | 0 | 165,465 |
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 GCSE subjects in the academic year 2020 to 2021
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined science | 667,510 | 36,360 | 127,050 | 0 | 830,920 |
| Mathematics | 203,765 | 60,095 | 521,025 | 9,705 | 794,595 |
| English language | 595,980 | 9,470 | 72,440 | 78,575 | 756,465 |
| English literature | 446,955 | 8,440 | 57,120 | 53,170 | 565,685 |
| History | 93,065 | 20,115 | 149,625 | 11,140 | 273,945 |
| Geography | 177,115 | 25,435 | 47,070 | 15,250 | 264,870 |
| Religious studies | 129,960 | 7,305 | 48,035 | 49,685 | 234,985 |
| Art and design subjects | 125,755 | 21,525 | 34,240 | 13,145 | 194,665 |
| Biology | 137,685 | 10,890 | 22,950 | 0 | 171,525 |
| Chemistry | 132,585 | 10,385 | 22,790 | 0 | 165,755 |
The total number of certificates for GCSEs has decreased by 0.9% between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
The top 10 highest volume subjects account for 79.5% of all GCSE certificates, 0.4 percentage points less than in the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
AQA has the largest market share in 8 of the 10 highest volume subjects. Pearson has the largest share in the remaining 2 subjects: mathematics and history.
Among the top 10 highest volume subjects, mathematics and English language have seen the largest drop in the number of certificates issued (down by 35,900 and 25,500 respectively compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year). The biggest increases in the number of certificates were for geography and religious studies (up by 6,900 and 1,600 respectively). Among the top 10 highest volume subjects, geography also saw the largest proportional increase in the number of certificates (up by 2.6% from the 2020 to 2021 academic year).
The market share of awarding organisations in all GCSE subjects in the 2021 to 2022 is given in the data tables accompanying this release (Table 8).
Please note, combined science certificates have been double counted throughout the report and data tables to reflect the fact that they count as 2 GCSEs.
5.3 Market share: AS
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | 39.2% | 43.0% | 43.5% | 43.9% | 40.2% |
| OCR | 24.1% | 22.4% | 22.8% | 22.4% | 23.4% |
| Pearson | 31.0% | 27.9% | 27.1% | 25.6% | 27.5% |
| WJEC | 5.7% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 8.9% |
AQA has seen a decrease (down by 3.7%) in its share of the AS market. All other awarding organisations saw increases to their market share, with Pearson seeing the largest percentage increase in its market share (up by 1.9% in the 2021 to 2022 academic year).
5.4 Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 AS subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 AS subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 1,025 | 1,425 | 4,655 | 0 | 7,105 |
| Psychology | 4,530 | 395 | 500 | 215 | 5,640 |
| Biology | 2,690 | 1,585 | 560 | 115 | 4,950 |
| Sociology | 3,610 | 570 | 0 | 160 | 4,340 |
| Chemistry | 1,660 | 1,945 | 460 | 115 | 4,180 |
| Mathematics (further) | 545 | 700 | 2,275 | 0 | 3,520 |
| Business studies | 1,350 | 60 | 1,240 | 145 | 2,795 |
| Physics | 1,405 | 960 | 355 | Fewer than 5 | 2,720 |
| History | 930 | 385 | 1,080 | 0 | 2,400 |
| Economics | 795 | 235 | 1,110 | 100 | 2,240 |
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 AS subjects in the academic year 2020 to 2021
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 905 | 1,165 | 4,295 | 0 | 6,360 |
| Psychology | 4,250 | 465 | 580 | 160 | 5,455 |
| Biology | 2,240 | 1,475 | 560 | 140 | 4,415 |
| Sociology | 3,435 | 640 | 0 | 130 | 4,210 |
| Mathematics (further) | 720 | 820 | 2,610 | 0 | 4,145 |
| Chemistry | 1,285 | 1,965 | 380 | 145 | 3,775 |
| Physics | 1,450 | 960 | 290 | 10 | 2,715 |
| Business studies | 1,265 | 80 | 1,075 | 185 | 2,600 |
| Art and design subjects | 930 | 725 | 0 | 830 | 2,485 |
| History | 920 | 360 | 1,075 | 0 | 2,355 |
The total number of certificates for AS qualifications has increased by 0.5% between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
The top 10 highest volume subjects account for 71.9% of all AS certificates, 2.1 percentage points more than in the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The top 10 AS subjects changed slightly between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year, with economics entering the top 10 and art and design subjects leaving.
AQA has the largest market share in 5 of the 10 highest volume subjects. Pearson has the largest share in 4 of the remaining subjects: mathematics, further mathematics, economics and history. OCR has the largest share in 1 subject: chemistry.
There has been a small increase in the number of certificates for most of the highest volume AS subjects since the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The largest increase was seen for mathematics, with an increase of 745 certificates between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year. The largest decrease in the number of certificates was seen for further mathematics, with 625 fewer certificates than in the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
The market share of awarding organisations in all AS subjects in the 2021 to 2022 academic year is given in the data tables accompanying this release (Table 9).
5.5 Market share: A level
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | 46.3% | 45.4% | 45.7% | 45.9% | 46.4% |
| OCR | 22.7% | 21.6% | 21.0% | 20.9% | 20.7% |
| Pearson | 24.7% | 26.7% | 26.7% | 27.0% | 26.5% |
| WJEC | 6.3% | 6.3% | 6.5% | 6.2% | 6.4% |
The A level market continued to be relatively stable in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
5.6 Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 A level subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 A level subjects in the academic year 2021 to 2022
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 13,095 | 13,955 | 60,990 | 0 | 88,040 |
| Psychology | 61,400 | 5,595 | 5,090 | 2,125 | 74,215 |
| Biology | 35,395 | 20,850 | 6,560 | 2,090 | 64,895 |
| Chemistry | 24,355 | 24,475 | 5,090 | 90 | 54,005 |
| History | 19,335 | 10,295 | 12,760 | 0 | 42,390 |
| Sociology | 36,865 | 3,645 | 0 | 1,870 | 42,385 |
| Art and design subjects | 21,285 | 5,935 | 7,965 | 6,555 | 41,740 |
| Business studies | 16,115 | 1,170 | 17,765 | 3,275 | 38,330 |
| Physics | 20,195 | 11,485 | 3,660 | 565 | 35,905 |
| Economics | 13,230 | 2,775 | 18,290 | 945 | 35,240 |
Number of certificates awarded in the top 10 A level subjects in the academic year 2020 to 2021
| Subject | AQA | OCR | Pearson | WJEC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 13,825 | 14,305 | 64,165 | 0 | 92,295 |
| Psychology | 56,465 | 5,265 | 4,755 | 1,950 | 68,435 |
| Biology | 35,345 | 21,080 | 6,765 | 2,210 | 65,405 |
| Chemistry | 25,430 | 26,170 | 5,635 | 130 | 57,365 |
| History | 19,705 | 9,455 | 12,770 | 0 | 41,930 |
| Sociology | 34,300 | 3,690 | 0 | 1,635 | 39,630 |
| Art and design subjects | 19,970 | 5,570 | 7,810 | 5,915 | 39,265 |
| Physics | 21,410 | 12,050 | 4,185 | 595 | 38,240 |
| English literature | 15,130 | 9,485 | 9,220 | 2,505 | 36,335 |
| Business studies | 15,260 | 1,070 | 15,815 | 3,145 | 35,285 |
The total number of certificates for A levels has increased by 1.2% between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
The top 10 highest volume subjects account for 66.9% of all A level certificates, 0.4% less than in the 2020 to 2021 academic year. In the 2021 to 2022 academic year, English literature left the top 10 highest volume A level subjects whilst economics entered. Out of the top 10 A level subjects in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, mathematics, chemistry and physics have seen a drop in the number of certificates issued (down by 4,300, 3,400 and 2,300 respectively compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year). Psychology saw the largest increase in the number of certificates issued (up by 5,800).
The market share of awarding organisations in all A level subjects in the 2021 to 2022 academic year is given in the data tables accompanying this release (Table 10).
6. Vocational and other qualifications
6.1 Number of certificates in vocational and other qualifications by sector subject area
Sector subject areas (SSAs) is a classification of qualifications into business sectors or subject areas maintained by Ofqual. There are 15 SSAs in total.
| Sector subject area | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Share of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 | Share of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Public Services and Care | 1,082,265 | 23.2% | 1,270,365 | 25.7% |
| Preparation for Life and Work | 870,040 | 18.7% | 936,245 | 19.0% |
| Arts, Media and Publishing | 633,175 | 13.6% | 687,080 | 13.9% |
| Business, Administration and Law | 383,295 | 8.2% | 335,095 | 6.8% |
| Construction, Planning and the Built Environment | 326,000 | 7.0% | 311,565 | 6.3% |
| Leisure, Travel and Tourism | 300,735 | 6.4% | 299,695 | 6.1% |
| Retail and Commercial Enterprise | 295,390 | 6.3% | 297,790 | 6.0% |
| Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies | 227,800 | 4.9% | 240,305 | 4.9% |
| Information and Communication Technology | 152,300 | 3.3% | 133,550 | 2.7% |
| Science and Mathematics | 106,520 | 2.3% | 111,680 | 2.3% |
| Languages, Literature and Culture | 73,955 | 1.6% | 96,280 | 2.0% |
| Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care | 87,825 | 1.9% | 95,820 | 1.9% |
| Education and Training | 81,745 | 1.8% | 74,135 | 1.5% |
| Social Sciences | 31,930 | 0.7% | 36,180 | 0.7% |
| History, Philosophy and Theology | 9,760 | 0.2% | 9,030 | 0.2% |
| Total | 4,662,735 | 100.0% | 4,934,815 | 100.0% |
| Sector subject area | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Health, Public Services and Care | 17.4% |
| Preparation for Life and Work | 7.6% |
| Arts, Media and Publishing | 8.5% |
| Business, Administration and Law | -12.6% |
| Construction, Planning and the Built Environment | -4.4% |
| Leisure, Travel and Tourism | -0.3% |
| Retail and Commercial Enterprise | 0.8% |
| Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies | 5.5% |
| Information and Communication Technology | -12.3% |
| Science and Mathematics | 4.8% |
| Languages, Literature and Culture | 30.2% |
| Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care | 9.1% |
| Education and Training | -9.3% |
| Social Sciences | 13.3% |
| History, Philosophy and Theology | -7.5% |
| Total | 5.8% |
There were 4.9 million certificates awarded in vocational and other qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year. This is up 5.8% compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
The largest increase in the number of certificates awarded in vocational and other qualifications was seen in Health, Public Services and Care SSA (up by 188,100 certificates). Business, Administration and Law saw the most substantial decline in the number of certificates awarded (down by 48,200).
6.2 Number of certificates in vocational and other qualifications by level
Qualification level gives an indication of the relative level of demand of the qualification, with higher levels being more difficult. The content and number of study hours, however, can vary significantly within a qualification level.
| Qualification level | Number of certificates in 2017 to 2018 | Number of certificates in 2018 to 2019 | Number of certificates in 2019 to 2020 | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 710,965 | 701,525 | 504,330 | 506,470 | 588,090 |
| Level 1 | 1,325,810 | 1,270,820 | 805,625 | 832,720 | 898,115 |
| Level 1/Level 2 | 272,605 | 313,615 | 389,175 | 412,845 | 398,420 |
| Level 2 | 1,917,490 | 1,811,560 | 1,257,525 | 1,351,330 | 1,389,190 |
| Level 3 | 1,492,070 | 1,570,755 | 1,163,695 | 1,396,790 | 1,511,405 |
| Level 4 to 8 | 152,200 | 155,850 | 131,555 | 162,580 | 149,595 |
Numbers of Entry Level, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 certificates continued to increase in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, with the greatest increase in numbers seen in Level 3 (up by 114,600 certificates since 2020 to 2021).
The trend of increases for Level 1/Level 2 certificate numbers reversed in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, with a decrease of 14,400 certificates compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. However, the number of Level 1/Level 2 certificates (398,400) remains higher than that observed before the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
The number of certificates in Levels 4 to 8 has also decreased this year, down by 8% to 149,600 certificates.
6.3 Awarding organisations with the highest number of certificates awarded in vocational and other qualifications
| Awarding organisation | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | 793,805 | 736,610 |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 551,165 | 556,600 |
| NCFE | 368,890 | 332,180 |
| Highfield Qualifications | 222,000 | 301,680 |
| Qualsafe Awards | 180,400 | 238,490 |
| OCR | 220,390 | 219,585 |
| Trinity College London | 196,205 | 190,435 |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | 124,955 | 179,855 |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 167,560 | 171,460 |
| AQA Education | 100,345 | 116,290 |
| Training Qualifications UK Ltd | 110,535 | 105,180 |
| Ascentis | 85,710 | 94,690 |
| NOCN | 88,865 | 85,905 |
| VTCT | 105,065 | 85,490 |
| WJEC | 71,845 | 78,710 |
| Gateway Qualifications Limited | 48,440 | 67,210 |
| Qualifications Network | 43,525 | 65,365 |
| LAMDA | 55,135 | 65,335 |
| RLSS UK Qualifications | 53,880 | 60,440 |
| Cambridge English | 44,115 | 53,130 |
| Other organisations | 1,029,905 | 1,130,170 |
| Total | 4,662,735 | 4,934,815 |
| Awarding organisation | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | -7.2% |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 1.0% |
| NCFE | -10.0% |
| Highfield Qualifications | 35.9% |
| Qualsafe Awards | 32.2% |
| OCR | -0.4% |
| Trinity College London | -2.9% |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | 43.9% |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 2.3% |
| AQA Education | 15.9% |
| Training Qualifications UK Ltd | -4.8% |
| Ascentis | 10.5% |
| NOCN | -3.3% |
| VTCT | -18.6% |
| WJEC | 9.6% |
| Gateway Qualifications Limited | 38.7% |
| Qualifications Network | 50.2% |
| LAMDA | 18.5% |
| RLSS UK Qualifications | 12.2% |
| Cambridge English | 20.4% |
| Other organisations | 9.7% |
| Total | 5.8% |
The 20 awarding organisations that reported the highest volume of certificates awarded in vocational and other qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year awarded 77.1% of all certificates awarded in vocational and other qualifications. Qualifications Network and Cambridge English are new to the top 20 this year. University of the Arts London and Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited left the top 20 between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Highfield Qualifications has had the largest increase (up by 79,700) in certificates compared with the previous year.
Qualifications Network showed the largest percentage increase in certificate numbers (up by 50.2% to 65,400 certificates).
Please note data for all awarding organisations is available in the Vocational and Other qualifications quarterly published by Ofqual.
7. In focus: technical and applied qualifications
Technical and applied qualifications are vocational qualifications designated as such according to Department for Education criteria and can count towards school and college performance tables.
Applied qualifications (known as Applied General qualifications) are for students who want to continue their education through applied learning and offer a progression route to employment or higher education. Applied General qualifications are all Level 3 qualifications aimed at post-16 students.
Technical qualifications comprise Tech Levels, Technical Certificates and Technical Awards. The purpose of technical qualifications is to equip students with applied knowledge and associated practical skills not usually associated with general qualifications. They are Level 1, 1/2, 2 and 3 qualifications.
Please note, the figures in this section relate only to technical and applied qualifications that were included in the respective year’s performance tables.
7.1 Share of technical and applied qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year by qualification category
| Qualification category | Number of certificates | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Generals | 225,790 | 4.6% |
| Tech Levels | 53,725 | 1.1% |
| Technical Awards | 396,785 | 8.0% |
| Technical Certificates | 19,055 | 0.4% |
| Remaining vocational and other qualifications | 4,239,455 | 85.9% |
Applied General qualifications saw 225,800 certificates issued, making up 4.6% of vocational and other certificates in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
The 469,600 technical qualifications certificates awarded in the 2021 to 2022 academic year can be further broken down into:
-
396,800 Technical Awards, which are Level 1, Level 2 or Level 1/ Level 2 qualifications and designed for study at key stage 4 (14 to 16 year olds). They require the same or more guided learning hours as a GCSE.
-
19,100 Technical Certificates, which are Level 2 qualifications designed for study at key stage 5 (16 to 19 year olds) and are intended for students who wish to specialise in a specific industry or prepare for a particular job.
-
53,700 Tech Levels, which are also designed for study at key stage 5. These are Level 3 qualifications.
7.2 Number of technical and applied qualifications certificates by sector subject area
| Sector subject area | Applied Generals | Technical Awards | Technical Certificates | Tech Levels | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leisure, Travel and Tourism | 26,145 | 98,340 | 180 | 2,065 | 126,725 |
| Business, Administration and Law | 62,745 | 45,615 | 8,320 | 5,475 | 122,155 |
| Arts, Media and Publishing | 14,530 | 100,005 | 80 | 4,560 | 119,175 |
| Health, Public Services and Care | 35,535 | 68,770 | 425 | 11,775 | 116,505 |
| Information and Communication Technology | 17,310 | 25,335 | 475 | 5,050 | 48,170 |
| Retail and Commercial Enterprise | 1,245 | 28,590 | 2,280 | 1,290 | 33,400 |
| Social Sciences | 33,120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33,120 |
| Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies | 5,455 | 19,430 | 650 | 6,100 | 31,635 |
| Science and Mathematics | 29,640 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29,640 |
| Construction, Planning and the Built Environment | 65 | 8,680 | 3,350 | 5,365 | 17,455 |
| Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care | 0 | 2,020 | 3,300 | 12,055 | 17,375 |
| Total | 225,790 | 396,785 | 19,055 | 53,725 | 695,360 |
| Sector subject area | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Leisure, Travel and Tourism | 1.0% |
| Business, Administration and Law | -2.1% |
| Arts, Media and Publishing | -4.2% |
| Health, Public Services and Care | 2.3% |
| Information and Communication Technology | -4.9% |
| Retail and Commercial Enterprise | -6.7% |
| Social Sciences | 22.1% |
| Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies | 4.3% |
| Science and Mathematics | 3.5% |
| Construction, Planning and the Built Environment | 4.5% |
| Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care | -4.5% |
| Total | -0.1% |
Social Sciences saw the largest increase in the number of certificates awarded in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year (up by 6,000 certificates).
The largest decrease in numbers was seen in Arts, Media and Publishing with a decrease of 5,300 certificates between the 2020 to 2021 academic year and 2021 to 2022 academic year. This was mainly due to a decrease in Technical Award certificates.
Tech Levels in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies saw the largest proportional increase (up by 45.5%) in the number of certificates compared to other qualification categories and SSAs in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
7.3 Distribution of Technical and Applied General certificates by sector subject area
| Sector subject area | Applied Generals | Technical Awards | Technical Certificates | Tech Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care | 0.0% | 11.6% | 19.0% | 69.4% |
| Arts, Media and Publishing | 12.2% | 83.9% | 0.1% | 3.8% |
| Business, Administration and Law | 51.4% | 37.3% | 6.8% | 4.5% |
| Construction, Planning and the Built Environment | 0.4% | 49.7% | 19.2% | 30.7% |
| Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies | 17.2% | 61.4% | 2.1% | 19.3% |
| Health, Public Services and Care | 30.5% | 59.0% | 0.4% | 10.1% |
| Information and Communication Technology | 35.9% | 52.6% | 1.0% | 10.5% |
| Leisure, Travel and Tourism | 20.6% | 77.6% | 0.1% | 1.6% |
| Retail and Commercial Enterprise | 3.7% | 85.6% | 6.8% | 3.9% |
| Science and Mathematics | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Social Sciences | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Total | 32.5% | 57.1% | 2.7% | 7.7% |
Different SSAs have a different mix of technical and applied qualifications. For instance, the Arts, Media and Publishing sector is dominated by Technical Awards and the Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care sector is dominated by Tech Levels. The Science and Mathematics and Social Sciences SSAs consist entirely of Applied General qualifications.
7.4 Number of technical and applied qualifications certificates by awarding organisation
| Awarding organisation | Applied Generals | Technical Awards | Technical Certificates | Tech Levels | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | 147,125 | 190,430 | 1,810 | 15,235 | 354,600 |
| OCR | 25,645 | 136,515 | 765 | 8,135 | 171,065 |
| WJEC | 35,810 | 36,390 | 0 | 0 | 72,200 |
| NCFE | 185 | 20,535 | 0 | 10,755 | 31,475 |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 0 | 940 | 7,775 | 11,095 | 19,810 |
| Association of Accounting Technicians | 0 | 0 | 7,810 | 5,475 | 13,285 |
| The London Institute of Banking & Finance | 10,655 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10,655 |
| RSL Awards Ltd | 0 | 8,570 | 10 | 1,160 | 9,740 |
| AQA Education | 3,105 | 1,080 | 0 | 10 | 4,190 |
| University of the Arts London | 3,235 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,235 |
| VTCT | 25 | 1,440 | 515 | 400 | 2,375 |
| Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited | 0 | 430 | 245 | 855 | 1,530 |
| AIM Qualifications | 0 | 0 | 0 | 500 | 500 |
| The Institute of the Motor Industry | 0 | 335 | 75 | 10 | 420 |
| Active IQ | 0 | 0 | 55 | 95 | 150 |
| Skills and Education Group Awards | 0 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 125 |
| 1st4sport Qualifications | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 225,790 | 396,785 | 19,055 | 53,725 | 695,360 |
Pearson was the single largest provider of Applied Generals and Technical Awards due to its Level 3 Applied General and Level 1/Level 2 Technical BTEC qualifications. The Association of Accounting Technicians and City and Guilds were the largest providers of Technical Certificates, and Pearson, City and Guilds and NCFE were the largest providers of Tech Levels.
| Awarding organisation | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | -0.3% |
| OCR | 3.7% |
| WJEC | 9.4% |
| NCFE | -11.2% |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | -5.8% |
| Association of Accounting Technicians | -30.3% |
| The London Institute of Banking & Finance | 5.0% |
| RSL Awards Ltd | 8.8% |
| AQA Education | -31.8% |
| University of the Arts London | 68.0% |
| VTCT | -28.9% |
| Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited | 30.2% |
| AIM Qualifications | 2.2% |
| The Institute of the Motor Industry | -51.2% |
| Active IQ | -42.3% |
| Skills and Education Group Awards | -19.7% |
| 1st4sport Qualifications | -98.7% |
| Total | -0.1% |
Association of Accounting Technicians saw the largest overall drop in the number of technical and applied qualification certificates in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the previous year, down by 5,800 certificates.
WJEC and OCR saw the largest increases in the number of certificates awarded (up by 6,200 and 6,000 respectively) compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
8. In focus: Functional Skills qualifications
Functional Skills are qualifications that cover the fundamental and applied skills that help people to get the most from everyday life, education and work. Functional Skills qualifications are available in English, mathematics and ICT at the following levels: Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2.
8.1 Number of certificates in Functional Skills qualifications
| 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of certificates | 705,610 | 614,290 | 447,670 | 302,275 | 324,230 |
The overall number of certificates awarded in Functional Skills qualifications has increased by 7% (22,000) in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year, reversing the downward trend seen over the last 4 years. There are a number of factors that may have influenced the trend over time, to a greater or lesser extent. These are discussed in the background notes accompanying this release.
8.2 Number of certificates of Functional Skills qualifications by subject
| Subject | 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mathematics | 320,450 | 287,945 | 205,710 | 138,265 | 158,365 |
| English | 278,385 | 243,605 | 189,345 | 131,930 | 143,915 |
| ICT | 106,775 | 82,740 | 52,610 | 32,080 | 21,950 |
There were increases in the number of certificates across mathematics and English in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year (up by 20,100 and 12,000 certificates respectively). The number of certificates in Functional Skills qualifications in ICT decreased (down by 10,100) compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
8.3 Number of certificates of Functional Skills by level
| Qualification level | 2017 to 2018 | 2018 to 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | 2020 to 2021 | 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 216,480 | 208,250 | 136,600 | 110,465 | 129,450 |
| Level 1 | 230,270 | 171,455 | 132,505 | 78,245 | 79,810 |
| Level 2 | 258,860 | 234,585 | 178,560 | 113,560 | 114,970 |
There was an increase in the number of certificates in Functional Skills qualifications across all levels in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The largest increase in the number of certificates was in Entry Level qualifications, up by 19,000 certificates.
8.4 Number of certificates of Functional Skills qualifications by awarding organisation
| Awarding organisation | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | 144,205 | 153,800 |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 104,185 | 108,080 |
| NCFE | 25,500 | 22,965 |
| AQA Education | 8,510 | 16,455 |
| NOCN | 5,500 | 6,490 |
| Highfield Qualifications | 3,850 | 6,405 |
| Open Awards | 2,645 | 4,730 |
| VTCT | 2,245 | 2,675 |
| OCR | 3,220 | 2,165 |
| Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd | 225 | 350 |
| Skillsfirst Awards Ltd | 1,580 | 125 |
| SFJ Awards Ltd | 330 | Fewer than 5 |
| Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited | 280 | 0 |
| Total | 302,275 | 324,230 |
| Awarding organisation | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Pearson Education Ltd | 6.7% |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 3.7% |
| NCFE | -9.9% |
| AQA Education | 93.4% |
| NOCN | 18.0% |
| Highfield Qualifications | 66.4% |
| Open Awards | 78.8% |
| VTCT | 19.1% |
| OCR | -32.8% |
| Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd | 54.7% |
| Skillsfirst Awards Ltd | -92.2% |
| SFJ Awards Ltd | -99.7% |
| Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited | -100.0% |
| Total | 7.3% |
There were 12 awarding organisation issuing certificates in Functional Skills qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, down from 13 in the previous year.
Most awarding organisations awarded more certificates in Functional Skills qualifications in comparison to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. Of those with a decrease in the number of certificates awarded, NCFE saw the greatest decline in the number of certificates in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year (down by 2,500).
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited issued no certificates for Functional Skills qualifications this year.
9. In focus: International market
Ofqual-regulated awarding organisations offer a wide selection of regulated qualifications outside the UK. These qualifications, offered internationally, are protected by Ofqual regulation so long as they are also taken by learners in England. The certification data for delivery of regulated qualifications outside the UK was collected for the third time in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
9.1 Number of certificates of regulated qualifications awarded outside the UK
| Year | Number of certificates |
|---|---|
| 2019 to 2020 | 4,880,190 |
| 2020 to 2021 | 5,776,395 |
| 2021 to 2022 | 6,732,025 |
In total 6.7 million certificates were awarded for 2,600 different regulated qualifications to students outside the UK over the 2021 to 2022 academic year, up by 17% compared to the previous year.
9.2 Number of certificates of regulated qualifications awarded outside the UK by type
| Qualification type | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 | Share of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Share of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English for Speakers of Other Languages | 4,010,380 | 4,780,605 | 69.4% | 71.0% |
| Other General Qualification | 1,079,285 | 1,105,615 | 18.7% | 16.4% |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 393,750 | 535,890 | 6.8% | 8.0% |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | 200,805 | 215,065 | 3.5% | 3.2% |
| GCSE (9 to 1) | 36,115 | 36,115 | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| Other qualifications | 56,060 | 58,735 | 1.0% | 0.9% |
| Total | 5,776,395 | 6,732,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Qualification type | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| English for Speakers of Other Languages | 19.2% |
| Other General Qualification | 2.4% |
| Performing Arts Graded Examination | 36.1% |
| Vocationally-Related Qualification | 7.1% |
| GCSE (9 to 1) | 0.0% |
| Other qualifications | 4.8% |
| Total | 16.5% |
The top 5 highest volume qualification types accounted for 99.1% of all certificates issued outside the UK. English for Speakers of Other Languages had the highest number of certificates issued, followed by Other General Qualification and Performing Arts Graded Examinations.
GCSE (9 to 1) saw no change in the number of certificates awarded outside the UK in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the previous year. The largest increase in the number of certificates awarded outside the UK was among English for Speakers of Other Languages regulated qualifications, up by 770,200 compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
9.3 Number of certificates of regulated qualifications awarded outside the UK by level
| Qualification level | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 | Share of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Share of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 917,080 | 1,199,140 | 15.9% | 17.8% |
| Level 1 | 2,138,690 | 2,640,315 | 37.0% | 39.2% |
| Level 1/Level 2 | 152,175 | 162,835 | 2.6% | 2.4% |
| Level 2 | 1,244,260 | 1,328,565 | 21.5% | 19.7% |
| Level 3 | 1,247,050 | 1,322,825 | 21.6% | 19.6% |
| Level 4 to 8 | 77,145 | 78,350 | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Total | 5,776,395 | 6,732,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Qualification level | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | 30.8% |
| Level 1 | 23.5% |
| Level 1/Level 2 | 7.0% |
| Level 2 | 6.8% |
| Level 3 | 6.1% |
| Level 4 to 8 | 1.6% |
| Total | 16.5% |
Level 1 regulated qualifications had the highest number of certificates issued outside the UK in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, accounting for 39.2% of the non-UK total.
All qualification levels saw an increase in the number of certificates issued outside the UK in the 2021 to 2022 academic year compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The highest rise in the number of non-UK certificates was among Level 1 regulated qualifications, up by 501,600 compared to the 2020 to 2021 academic year. Entry Level regulated qualifications saw the highest proportional increase in the number of certificates issued outside the UK, up by 30.8% compared to the previous year (equal to an increase of 282,100 certificates).
9.4 Awarding organisations with the highest number of certificates of regulated qualifications awarded outside the UK
| Awarding organisation | Number of certificates in 2020 to 2021 | Number of certificates in 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English | 3,364,140 | 3,647,700 |
| International Baccalaureate Organisation | 1,076,275 | 1,102,070 |
| Pearson Education Ltd | 434,635 | 748,180 |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 174,260 | 220,260 |
| LanguageCert | 61,970 | 197,180 |
| Trinity College London | 175,025 | 184,475 |
| Royal Academy of Dance | 76,685 | 154,270 |
| WSET Awards | 68,150 | 72,630 |
| Learning Resource Network | 56,035 | 55,040 |
| RSL Awards Ltd | 24,975 | 33,365 |
| VTCT | 24,465 | 29,930 |
| English Speaking Board (International) Ltd | 21,980 | 27,040 |
| The British Council | 0 | 25,090 |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 22,115 | 24,410 |
| NOCN | 26,135 | 23,080 |
| AQA Education | 20,970 | 20,845 |
| Highfield Qualifications | 13,770 | 19,565 |
| University of West London | 13,595 | 18,490 |
| Qualifi Ltd | 16,695 | 16,125 |
| AIM Qualifications | 8,085 | 12,150 |
| Other organisations | 96,440 | 100,130 |
| Total | 5,776,395 | 6,732,025 |
| Awarding organisation | Percentage change in the number of certificates awarded between 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 |
|---|---|
| Cambridge English | 8.4% |
| International Baccalaureate Organisation | 2.4% |
| Pearson Education Ltd | 72.1% |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music | 26.4% |
| LanguageCert | 218.2% |
| Trinity College London | 5.4% |
| Royal Academy of Dance | 101.2% |
| WSET Awards | 6.6% |
| Learning Resource Network | -1.8% |
| RSL Awards Ltd | 33.6% |
| VTCT | 22.3% |
| English Speaking Board (International) Ltd | 23.0% |
| The British Council | Inf |
| City and Guilds of London Institute | 10.4% |
| NOCN | -11.7% |
| AQA Education | -0.6% |
| Highfield Qualifications | 42.1% |
| University of West London | 36.0% |
| Qualifi Ltd | -3.4% |
| AIM Qualifications | 50.3% |
| Other organisations | 3.8% |
| Total | 16.5% |
The 20 awarding organisations that reported the highest volume of non-UK certificates of regulated qualifications in the 2021 to 2022 academic year awarded 98.5% of all regulated qualifications certificates issued outside the UK. The British Council is new to the top 20 this year after gaining Ofqual recognition in July 2021.
Pearson Education Ltd and Cambridge English saw the largest increases in certificates compared with the previous year (up by 313,500 and 283,600 certificates respectively), mainly due to increases in the number of certificates awarded for English for Speakers of Other Languages qualifications.
LanguageCert has had the largest percentage increase (up by 218.2%) in certificate numbers compared to 2020 to 2021. The increase in the certificate numbers was also due to increases in the number of certificates for English for Speakers of Other Languages qualifications.
Data for all awarding organisations is available in the accompanying data tables (Table 22).