Scope of this qualification funding approval manual
Summary of what this manual includes and where to find additional information.
This section explains:
- who this manual is for
- what it includes
- when it will next be updated
- what the manual does not include
This manual is for awarding organisations who intend to submit the following qualifications for funding approval in England:
- level 2 and level 3 technical qualifications, excluding technical qualifications in T Levels
- level 2 and level 3 non-technical qualifications, including alternative academic qualifications, technical progression qualifications, academic progression qualifications and T Level foundation qualifications
We are considering qualifications for funding approval in cycles.
This manual explains how we will approve qualifications for funding to be taught from:
- 1 August 2025
- 1 August 2026
It sets out:
- DfE’s funding approval criteria
- DfE’s process to approve qualifications for funding including how and when we will review qualifications
- how and when the moratorium on approving newly regulated qualifications for funding will change
- what will happen to qualifications currently approved for funding
- a summary of how we will review funding approval outcomes
It should be read alongside:
- the guide to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below in England, which provides an overview of the post-16 qualification review reforms and timelines
- the single access point for awarding organisations: submitting qualifications for approval, which has information about the funding approval process and how to submit
- the consultations on the review of post-16 qualifications at level 3 and level 2 and below. These set out further detail about the qualifications review and the timetable for changes to the way qualifications will be approved for post-16 government funding in England
This manual does not include information about the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) general conditions of recognition or qualification level conditions for AAQs and technical qualifications. This manual also does not include information about the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IfATE’s) approval of technical qualifications.
Qualification funding approval: funding year 2023 to 2024 has information on approvals for 2023 to 2024.
The 2023 to 2024 manual will be updated in spring 2024. This update will explain the 2024 to 2025 funding approval process. That process will not consider technical and non-technical qualifications approved for funding to be taught from 1 August 2025 and 1 August 2026.