Deliver Technical Qualifications

Here you’ll find the latest news and guidance for the performance tables in England and all City & Guilds qualifications included in them (Technical Certificates, Technical Awards and Tech Levels).

The performance tables are statistical comparison tables, produced annually by the Department of Education (DfE). These tables provide details about the achievements of schools and colleges in England, by looking at the pass rates and grades of their learners. Having these approved means that learners now have even more choice and an alternative to GCSEs and A Levels.

To do this, the tables use data from certain qualifications, such as GCSEs and A Levels. Not all qualifications are used for the tables, only those which the DfE has approved.

For a list of our Technical Qualifications approved to appear on performance tables, please see the corresponding performance table list:

Download all City & Guilds Technical Qualifications approved for 2024 Performance Tables (XLSX)

Download all City & Guilds Technical Qualifications approved for 2023 Performance Tables
(XLSX)

Download all City & Guilds Technical Qualifications approved for 2022 Performance Tables
(XLSX)

Download our guide to performance tables >

City & Guilds approved Technical Qualifications

The approved Technical Qualifications are available in 13 subject areas and at three different levels:

Key Stage 4, Level 2 Technical Awards (14-16)
Key Stage 5, Level 2 Technical Certificates (16-19)
Key Stage 5, Level 3 Tech Levels (16-19)

How does a qualification gain DfE approval?

For a qualification to gain DfE approval for inclusion on the performance tables, it must meet the high-quality, rigorous design principles set out by the DfE.

In addition, the qualifications must enable progression to a range of study and employment opportunities, and be the comparable in size, or larger, to a GCSE or A Level.

DfE design principles for Technical Qualifications

Overall grading – learners will be awarded Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Fail as part of the new grading system.
Synoptic assessment – an externally set, internally marked assignment will replace unit-based assessment. It will take place towards the end of the programme.
External exam – a significant proportion of the content must be externally assessed. The exam is externally set and marked.
One resit opportunity – if the candidate fails the external exam and requires a resit, one opportunity will be available later in the academic year.
Employer involvement – KS5 Technical Qualifications require employer interaction in delivery and/or assessment.

All approved qualifications

Full lists of all awarding bodies, which have been approved by the DfE, are listed on the performance tables found on the DfE webpage.

1. If your centre isn’t already approved to offer City & Guilds qualifications, products and services, you’ll need to complete a Centre Approval (CAP) Form, which includes one qualification approval.
2. If you are already an approved City & Guilds centre, you’ll need to complete a Qualification Approval (QAP) Form for the specific Technical Qualification you want to deliver.
3. We’ll provide tailored support on how to deliver City & Guilds Technical Qualifications.

Please note that centres that have approval for a Level 3 Technical Qualification are automatically approved to deliver the equivalent Key Stage 5 Level 2 Technical Qualification.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact our Technicals Quality team on 0300 303 5352 or email technicals.quality@cityandguilds.com.

Get started >