Where can I find the key documents from government?
Will all Awarding Organisations be required to develop these new qualifications?
Awarding Organisations are free to choose which of the new qualifications they want to develop.
How will the new Level 3 qualifications be developed?
To qualify for funding from 2025, all Level 3 academic and technical qualifications will need to meet pre-set criteria approved by the Department for Education, in collaboration with IfATE and Ofqual. Depending on the type of qualification this could include:
- Quality and progression criteria
- Confirmation of employer demand
- Meeting or linking to occupational standards
- Minimal overlap to A Level or T Level content or destination
Once approved, the new Level 3 qualifications will be funded for a period of three years.
Are Level 2 qualifications affected?
Level 2 qualifications are included in the reform. Currently, the first teaching of reformed Level 2 qualifications will be in Autumn 2025 for Cycle 1 subjects, and Autumn 2026 for Cycle 2 subjects, mirroring the approach taken with Level 3 qualifications.
When will the new qualifications be available?
When will City & Guilds' current Level 2 and 3 qualifications no longer be funded?
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced they will complete a focused review of post-16 qualification reform at level 3 and below.
This includes a pause on the removal of 16-19 funding for level 3 qualifications that overlap with T Levels in the Construction and the Built Environment, Digital, Education and Early Years and Health and Science sectors, which was due to come into effect in England on 31st July 2024. Therefore, we can confirm that the following level 3 qualifications will continue to be funded for 16–19-year-olds for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Find out more
Which of the Level 3 City & Guilds qualifications will not be impacted by these changes?
The following qualifications are not impacted:
- Core Maths
- Extended Project qualifications
- Technical qualifications within T Levels
- Apprenticeships
- Traineeships
- 14-16 offer (Key Stage 4)
- Qualifications approved for use with pre-16 learners
- Programmes offered under devolved adult education budgets
Will qualifications that form part of an apprenticeship or traineeships be impacted by these reforms?
Qualifications within an apprenticeship, traineeship or 14-16 Key Stage 4 are out of scope from the reforms so will continue to be funded.
Level 3 qualifications are currently available in lots of different sizes and their titles can be confusing. Will the reforms help with this?
The aim of the reforms is to simplify the post-16 range of choices and provide more clarity for learners. For those aged 16-19 T Levels will be the main technical qualification of choice, with A Levels for those choosing an academic route. Alternative academic qualifications (AAQs) will also be available in some areas.
For a more detailed breakdown of subject areas please refer to pages 10-15 of the DfE Guide to Post-16 qualification landscape at Level 3 and below for 2025 and beyond.
How will the reforms impact adult learners hoping to progress to Higher Education?
Alongside A Levels and Access to Higher Education Diplomas, adults who want to progress into higher education will have access to the same range of AAQs at Level 3 as 16-19 year olds.
Will any of the new Level 3 qualifications be eligible for inclusion in post-16 performance measures?
Yes, the alternative academic qualifications, occupational entry qualifications, and additional specialist qualifications approved for funding at Level 3 will be eligible for inclusion in 16-18 performance measures.
Will the reforms in England impact provision in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland?
Whilst the Level 2 and Level 3 reforms are England only, changes to how qualifications are funded may impact qualifications that are currently available to learners in the devolved nations. We continue to work with the regulators to ensure minimal disruption for our customers and learners across all our geographies.