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
List of qualifications at level 3 that will have public funding removed from 1 August 2025 can be found here
The last day for publicly funded new starts on these qualifications will be 31 July 2025. Learners continuing on these qualifications will be funded until completion.
Supporting materials, including a list of reformed qualifications that have been approved for funding at level 3 from 1 August 2025, can be found in the Curriculum planning and support section.
Awarding organisations now have the opportunity to request a procedural review for qualifications which are either having public funding withdrawn after 31 July 2025, or which have not been approved for funding from 1 August 2025. If there are any changed to either of these lists, we will publish an updated version in July.
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
Post-16 level 3 qualification submitted for funding approval from 1 August 2025. This page gives information about the range of reformed level 3 qualifications submitted by awarding organisations as part of cycle 1, found here. Published 9 January 2024. It should be noted that approval of these qualifications is subject to criteria so the final list of approved qualifications can be expected to contain some differences.
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.
Last updated: