Qualification Reform in England

Due to the recent announcement for a general election on the 4th July 2024, aspects of the post-16 reforms for level 3 and below are paused in line with the cabinet office guidelines. Ascentis are here to support centres with any queries regarding the qualification developments so far, and we are still interested in hearing from anyone who would like to know more about collaborating with us on future developments. If you have any questions, please email us: [email protected]. We will continue to update information on our website as it becomes available.

The aim of the qualification reforms

The post-16 qualifications landscape in England is undergoing major reform. The Department for Education (DfE) set out changes to Level 3 and below qualifications following the post-16 qualification review in England. The DfE is clear that the purpose of post-16 education is to support people to move into high-skilled jobs, either directly or through progression into good-quality higher education courses. The DfE have already reformed A levels and are now bringing on stream world-class T Levels. Following successive reviews which highlighted the complexity and variable quality of the current system, the DfE is in the process of reforming post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below.

The reforms have already started to gather momentum and Ascentis will be supporting our customers with updates and guidance through what will be a significant course of change.

Please see the FAQs below.

What are the changes in brief?

To ensure that all publicly funded qualifications at level 3 and below are needed, in demand and lead to good progression outcomes, DfE introduced new criteria that all academic and technical qualifications will need to meet in order to be approved for funding from 2025. These criteria have been consulted on by DfE and IfATE, building on earlier consultations around the policy principles. Academic qualifications will, in future, need to meet quality criteria developed by DfE. Technical qualifications will need to meet occupational relevance and employer demand tests developed by IfATE. Both sets of qualifications will need to meet regulations set by Ofqual. Ofqual will provide feedback for consideration by DfE and IfATE when deciding whether a qualification should be approved.

What are the phases of the qualification reforms?

There are 3 phases to the reforms, and we are already in phase 3:

Phase 1 - the Department for Education (DfE) removed funding from qualifications with sustained low or no publicly funded enrolments in England.

Phase 2 - the DfE removed funding from 16-19 qualifications at Level 3 which overlap with T levels.

Phase 3 - DfE introduced a new integrated approval process for qualifications that will receive public funding from September 2025. This sets quality criteria for all academic and technical qualifications at Level 3 and below, including titling requirements. New qualifications will be approved for funding for 3 years rather than the current 12 months.

Where in the reforms are we now?

Awarding Organisations (AOs) are currently engaged in the first cycles of these reforms for both Level 3 and Level 2.

The DfE’s aim at Level 2 within Cycle 1, is to deliver high-quality technical qualifications that are aligned to employer-led occupational standards that meet the needs of both providers and employers. This will ensure qualifications deliver the skills learners need to enter a skilled occupation at Level 2. These qualifications are expected to be available for centres in September 2025. Ascentis are currently engaged in developments within the Construction and Health Science sectors at Level 2. We have communicated with all stakeholders in these developments and welcome any further collaboration or support. Please get in touch.

How can I stay informed?

To support our customers with these changes, we will be publishing important information and resources to this webpage. We are also available to support our customers with any questions or concerns you may have as these reforms progress. Please get in touch.

Who will be affected by these reforms?

The reforms will affect Level 3 and below qualifications taken by 16-19 and adult learners which DfE approves for post-16 funding offers (including Advanced Learner Loans). The only exceptions are the following qualifications that the DfE have already confirmed, following public consultation, will continue to be funded.

Level 3

Level 2 and below

AS and A levels

Access to HE Diplomas

Advanced Extension Awards

Core Maths qualifications

Extended Project qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Performing Arts Graded Examinations

Technical qualifications in T Levels

GCSEs

Higher Project qualifications

Foundation Project qualifications

Functional Skills qualifications (FSQs)

Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQs)

Performing Arts Graded Examinations

What is the reform timetable for Level 3?

Level 3 Cycles

Reformed Qualifications

Date of First Teaching

Cycle 1

Alternative academic qualifications (large and small)

Small AAQs in: ICT practitioners, Health and social care, Science, Medicine and dentistry, Nursing and subjects and vocations allied to medicine, Engineering. Small AAQs by exception in: Building and Construction, Child development and well-being, Direct learning support, Teaching and lecturing.

Technical qualifications

Occupational entry and additional specialist technical qualifications in: Construction and the Built Environment; Digital; Education and Early Years; Engineering and Manufacturing; and Health and Science.

September 2025

Cycle 2

Alternative academic qualifications (large and small)

Large and small AAQs in all SSAs that were not part of Cycle 1, including those which do not align to an occupational route such as Performing arts.

Technical qualifications

Employer proposed and occupational progression qualifications in: Construction and the Built Environment; Digital; Education and Early Years; Engineering and Manufacturing; and Health and Science.

September 2026

Cycle 3

Alternative academic qualifications (large and small)

Business as usual approvals for alternative academic qualifications in any SSA.

Technical qualifications

Employer proposed and occupational progression qualifications in all remaining routes. Business as usual approvals for any technical qualifications in any route.

September 2027

What is the reform timetable for Level 2 and below?

Level 2 Cycles

Reformed Qualifications

Date of First Teaching

Cycle 1

Technical qualifications

Level 2 technical qualifications in Construction and the Built Environment; Education and Early Years; Engineering and Manufacturing; and Health and Science in the following qualification groups:

Technical occupational-entry qualifications for young people and adults

Technical additional specialist qualifications

September 2025

Cycle 2

Technical qualifications

Level 2 technical occupational entry qualifications and technical additional specialist qualifications in all other occupational routes.

Technical cross-cutting function qualifications.

Technical employer-proposed qualifications for adults only.

Academic and other non-technical qualifications

Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to level 3 technical qualifications in routes reformed in 2025.

Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to all wave 1-4 T Levels.

Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to level 3 AAQs in academic subject areas reformed in 2025.

September 2026

Cycle 3

Academic and other non-technical qualifications

Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to Level 3 technical qualifications in routes reformed in 2026

Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to Level 3 AAQs in academic subject areas reformed in 2026

All qualifications at Level 1 and Entry Level

All Personal, Social and Employability (PSE) qualifications

September 2027

Cycle 4

Essential Skills qualifications

All English, maths (Level 1 and Entry Level) and ESOL Skills for Life (Level 2, Level 1 and Entry Level) qualifications

September 2028

What does this mean for schools, colleges and training providers in Wales and Northern Ireland?

The reforms are England only and do not affect Wales and Northern Ireland. However, any changes we make to qualifications in England may affect the qualifications you offer in Wales and Northern Ireland. These changes may also impact qualifications that are currently available to learners in the devolved nations.

Where can I find the key documents from government?

How can I get involved?

Ascentis will be working closely throughout these reforms with a diverse range of individuals and organisations to ensure that we create high-quality qualifications that are fit for purpose, high-level and appropriate for learners, providers, and employers. We encourage you to collaborate with us on these developments.

You can get involved in many ways, please contact the Product Development team by emailing [email protected] –

Employers, stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) can get involved by collaborating to help ensure that our qualifications and assessments are high-quality and fit for purpose.

Providers can get involved by collaborating on the developments and by providing letters of support and demand.

Contact Us

If you are a customer and would like more information about the qualification reforms, please get in touch:

✉ [email protected]

☏ 01524 845046

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