Qualification reform in England
In July, the Government paused the removal of funding from Level 3 qualifications that was due to take place on 31 July 2024. DfE announced a review of qualifications reform for those qualifications set to have funding removed and on 12 December 2024, the Government announced the outcomes of the Review of Qualifications Reform.
Key outcomes following the Review of Qualifications Reform
- Previously proposed rules of combination will not be applied.
- Over 200 qualifications have been identified with either low or no enrolments per year over the last 3 years. Funding will be removed from these qualifications from 1 August 2025.
- T Levels remain an excellent qualification option for 16 to 19 learners, as they are based on employer led occupational standards and include high-quality industry placements. They should be available to more learners.
- Blanket restrictions have been removed, such as automatically defunding qualifications simply because they overlap with a T Level. Qualifications will be looked at route by route. Read further details.
- 157 qualifications will retain funding (alongside T Levels and A levels), that were previously scheduled to be defunded by 31 July 2025.
- The length of time qualification funding will be retained for, differs from route to route, depending upon the cohort's needs and the economy in that route. View the qualifications.
New EAL qualifications for 2025
In response to the reforms, explore EAL's new offer for qualifications available for first teaching from September 2025.
Extension of funding approval end dates
We can confirm the extension of funding approval end dates for EAL’s engineering and BSE qualifications that were due to be defunded in line with the educational reforms. The new dates and the relevant funding offer are given in the following tables.
| Engineering | |||
| QAN | Name | Funding offer | New funding approval end date (for new starts) (subject to meeting funding approval criteria) |
| 501/1130/9 | EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 601/4291/1 | EAL Level 3 Diploma In Engineering Technology - Motorsport | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 601/5799/9 | EAL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering Technologies | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 601/5800/1 | EAL Level 3 Certificate in Engineering Technologies | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 601/5801/3 | EAL Level 3 Diploma In Engineering Technologies | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 601/5802/5 | EAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| 603/0564/2 | EAL Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2027 |
| BSE | |||
| QAN | Name | Funding offer | New funding approval end date (for new starts) (subject to meeting funding approval criteria) |
| 601/4563/8 | EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation | 16 to 19 and adults | 31/07/2026 |
| 603/5982/1 | EAL Level 3 Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification | Adults only | 31/07/2027 |
| 610/2859/9 | EAL Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker Qualification | Adults only | 31/07/2027 |
Pause in qualification release
Due to the changes in the funding rules, EAL has made the decision to pause the release of 5 Engineering Technical Occupational Entry qualifications at Level 3 until we have more clarity on the funding landscape.
This decision has been made to ensure EAL’s offer is clear with no conflicting products.
We have been informed by the Department for Education that there is a possibility that the LARS system could list these qualifications as available for funding. Whilst this scenario is unlikely, centres are advised not to register for funding on any of the 5 paused qualifications until EAL releases these qualifications for use.
These qualifications will not appear on EAL’s online services platform while they are on hold. The EAL qualifications affected by this are:
- 610/3905/6 EAL Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Electrical Engineering Principles (Diploma)
- 610/3910/X EAL Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Machining (Diploma)
- 610/3911/1 EAL Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Mechatronics (Diploma)
- 610/3912/3 EAL Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Mechanical Engineering Principles (Diploma)
- 610/3913/5 EAL Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Metal Fabrication (Diploma).
Contact us
For further information about these qualifications, or further guidance, please contact us.
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