High Value Courses Premium for Construction & EAL Engineering Qualifications (2026–27)

In March 2026, the Department for Education published updated guidance on the High Value Courses Premium (HVCP) for the 2026–27 academic year, confirming £1,000 additional funding per eligible 16–19 student enrolled on approved high‑value technical programmes.          

In addition to construction programmes, the published HVCP qualification lists also confirm a range of eligible EAL Engineering and Manufacturing and Building Services Engineering qualifications that attract the premium.                              

Construction programmes – key points:

• Enrol students on either a level 2 or level 3 study programme with a core aim of a qualification in the HVCP for the construction qualification list or a T Level in SSA5.2
• £1,000 per compliant student, subject to reconciliation

Students must complete:

• An eligible construction qualification
• A construction industry placement (Students who do not take T Levels must also complete an external placement in a construction environment that meets the definition of an industry placement for construction)
• A Level 1 Health & Safety qualification on the approved list

EAL qualifications attracting High Value Courses Premium                          

The following EAL Engineering and Manufacturing and Building Services Engineering qualifications are included in the DfE High Value Courses Premium lists for 2026–27 and attract additional HVCP funding when delivered as part of a substantial Level 3 study programme:

View the full qualification list

Providers must ensure:

• The qualification appears on the published HVCP list for the relevant academic year
• Delivery meets the minimum guided learning hours (360+)
• Students are correctly recorded in ILR or census data

Funding and payments:

• HVCP funding is paid through monthly 16–19 allocation payments
• Final reconciliation is based on R14 ILR data or autumn census
• Incomplete delivery or data errors may result in partial or full recovery of funding

For further information or support on the qualifications, please reach out to our Customer Experience Team at [email protected]. 

Read the guidance article