The future of post-16 level 3 and below vocational qualifications in England
In July the DfE announced an immediate pause and review of the post-16 vocational qualification reform in England.
It means that:
- The DfE has placed a one year pause on the removal of 16 to 19 funding from qualifications assessed as overlapping with T Levels in construction and the built environment, digital, education and early years, and health and science. These qualifications were originally scheduled to have their funding approval removed in the 16 to 19 offers after 31 July 2024 but will now continue to remain available up to 31 July 2025. This will allow time for a review of post-16 level 3 and below reforms to conclude by the end of the year. The DfE has published a list of reformed level 2 qualifications that will be funded from August 2025, in Construction and the Built Environment, Education and Early Years, Engineering and Manufacturing, and Health and Science.
View the list of reformed level 2 qualifications
- A reminder that approved Alternative Academic Qualifications and Technical Qualifications, will be funded from August 2025.
Read more from the DfE about funding AAQs from 2025
Once the review outcomes are published (anticipated end of the year) we will be in touch, to explain how this impacts you and your learners.
Important information about registering your learners from September 2024 in England.
Qualifications in Construction and the Built Environment, Early Years, Engineering, IT and Computing, Health and Science currently have a funding end date of 31 July 2025.
So that your learners remain eligible for funding you should register learners on the full 2-year programme in 2024/25. If learners are registered on the 1-year programme and then topped up, they will not be eligible for funding as this expires on 31 July 2025.
We’ll be working closely with centres that usually follow a top-up model, to ensure you are making the most appropriate registrations for your learners.
For further details on current funding end dates for Level 3 BTEC National qualifications, please refer to the BTEC Level 3 Funding Checklist for England - Nationals
Alternative Academic Qualifications and Technical Qualifications available and funded for first teach September 2025.
The approved and funded qualifications are not impacted by the DfE pause and review.
Specifications, Assessment Materials and Transition Guides are available on the website.
Explore BTEC Nationals from 2025 (AAQs)
Explore BTEC Level 3 Technicals
Training events are available from October 2024.
BTEC Technical level 2 qualifications approved in cycle 1 for first teach from August 2025.
We’re pleased to announce our BTEC Technical suite launches in August 2025 and is funded for 16-19-year-olds and adults.
BTEC Technical qualifications are designed to meet the needs of students and provide progression to an occupation, by an apprenticeship, employment, or further study.
Our first submission includes five BTEC Technical qualifications: Early Years Practitioner, Gym Instructor, Recreation Assistant, Community Activity Leader, and Manufacturing Operative. Additional qualifications are being developed now for cycles 2 and 3, launching in August 2026 and 2027.
Explore our NEW BTEC Level 2 Technical qualifications
Keeping up to date
To find the latest information, resources and FAQs about the future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England visit our BTEC Level 3 reforms webpage
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