Current policy and guidance

• Current publications by DfE
• Information for providers on qualifications available in the future
• Reviews and the case for reform

Current publications by DfE

The final list of post-16 level 3 qualifications that have had their funding approval extended or removed from 1 August 2025 is available here.

The last day for publicly funded new starts on qualifications which have not had funding approval extended will be 31 July 2025. Learners continuing on these qualifications will be funded until completion. 

Supporting materials, can be found in the Curriculum planning and support section. 

Qualifications funding approval manual: from August 2025. This is found here. This is for awarding organisations who intend to submit level 3 or level 2 qualifications for first teach in 2025 or 2026. It sets out the criteria and processes involved. 

Awarding organisations: submitting qualifications for approval. A single access point for awarding organisation to submit qualifications for approval, found here. This directs you to several documents with further guidance for awarding organisations to use before submitting qualifications.

Information for providers on qualifications available in the future

Level 3

As part of the review of post-16 qualifications in England, the department has now published a list of Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) that have been approved for public funding at level 3 from 1 August 2025.

The list of new qualifications at level 3 that have been approved for funding is here.

Level 2 and below

As part of the review of post-16 qualifications in England, the department has now published a list of Technical Qualifications (TQs) that have been approved for public funding at level 2 from 1 August 2025

The list of new qualifications at level 2 that have been approved for funding is here.

Reviews and the case for reform 

Review of Vocational Education- The Wolf Report, published in 2011 examines vocational education for 14-19- year olds. It found that the content of many qualifications was not valued by employers and that many courses offered very little value, offering no route to further education or prospects for meaningful employment. This review provides useful context on the reasoning behind the reforms and can be found here.

The Whitehead review of adult vocational qualifications, published in 2013. Found that a complex further education system meant that technical qualifications used by adults are often poor quality, lack employer involvement and have no clear identity. The report recommended a system in which employers and unions work in partnership with well-regulated awarding organisations and flexible training providers to design, develop and deliver qualifications that provide growth for employers and progression for learners. The review provides useful context on the reasoning behind the need for reforms to technical education, found here.

Sainsbury review of post 16 technical education, published in 2016. Lord Sainsbury’s independent panel set out its ambitious vision for technical education. It found that many individuals who have successfully completed qualifications remain poorly equipped to enter skilled work. It provides useful context on the reasoning behind the reforms and the vision for the future, found here. 

The Augar review, published in 2019. Reviewing post-18 education and funding, found that England needs a stronger technical education system at below degree levels that increases opportunities, supports disadvantaged students and addresses structural skill shortages, found here.