Summary
Principles and processes we use to approve qualifications for funding in England.
This manual is for awarding organisations.
It sets out:
- the common approval principles that we apply to approve qualifications for funding
- where there are specific approval principles, and which offers we apply them to
- how and when we review qualifications for funding approval
- which qualifications we will approve for post-16 funding during the qualification funding approval moratorium
- how we maintain the offers through the funding year
This manual applies to the 2024 to 2025 funding year, which runs from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.
We will first use this manual when considering funding approval in our Autumn: November 2024 funding approval cycle. We will take a download of the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications on 22 October 2024. We will consider all newly regulated qualifications for funding approval using this manual.
We will consider any application for funding approval or a moratorium exemption after the date of publication using this manual.
Updates to this manual and the funding approval process
We may update this manual at any time. Awarding organisations should check regularly for any updates.
During 2024 to 2025, we expect to make updates about:
- operation of the post-16 moratorium at level 3 and below
- moratorium on advanced learner loans funding for level 4 to level 6 qualifications
- Lifelong Learning Entitlement
We may also change the timing and frequency of funding approval cycles.
Contents
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Summary of what this manual includes and where to find information not included in this manual.
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The difference between funding approval and funding validity.
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The impact on our approval principles and processes because of ongoing qualification reform.
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The changes we have made to our approval principles and process for the funding year 2024 to 2025.
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Why and when we have removed or will remove funding approval for groups of qualifications.
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Criteria that all qualifications need to meet to be approved for funding.
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Criteria that qualifications in the 14 to 16 offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the 16 to 19 offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the ESFA-funded adult education budget local flexibility offer must meet.
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Criteria that qualifications in the advanced learner loans offer need to meet, alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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Criteria that qualifications in the statutory entitlements offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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How components that are already approved for funding will be approved in 2023 to 2024.
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Criteria that qualifications in the level 3 free courses for jobs offer need to meet alongside the common funding approval criteria.
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How the moratorium affects our funded qualification offers and information about exemptions.
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The stages we use to review qualifications.
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How we manage changes you make to approved qualifications that impact funding approval status.
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How you can get in touch with us if you have any questions about the principles and processes in this manual.
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Some of the processes we describe in this manual state that you need to send us information through a form. This section of the manual contains those forms.
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This shows the step-by-step process that awarding organisations must follow to get funding approval in England for a qualification.