Summary

This manual describes how and when the Department for Education (DfE) will approve technical and non-technical qualifications for funding in England.

Non-technical qualifications are qualifications which are not based on the occupational standards. These include:

  • alternative academic qualifications
  • technical progression qualifications which support progression to a level 3 technical qualification
  • academic progression qualifications which support progression to a level 3 academic qualification
  • T Level foundation qualifications

These qualifications will be taught from:

  • 1 August 2025, for qualifications in cycle 1 of our approval process
  • 1 August 2026, for qualifications in cycle 2 of our approval process

Who this manual is for

This manual is for Ofqual-regulated awarding organisations.

When the manual will be reviewed

The manual will be updated on a termly basis to include additional information to support you with the funding approval process where required. We will only publish outside of these timescales where there is a need to update.

Previous versions of the manual are available in the National Archives.

Contents