On the 12 December 2024, the DfE published the outcomes of the review of Post 16 qualification reform. Read the announcement
The aim of the review was to determine which qualifications will be funded for 16-19 learners in England for the 2025/26 academic year. Read our statement
We understand how important this information is to you, and we’re currently reviewing the DfE’s rapid review outcome to understand what this will mean for you and your learners.
Download your interactive quick funding guide
A reminder that approved Alternative Academic Qualifications and Technical Qualifications, will be funded from August 2025.
Explore our Alternative Academic qualifications and Technical qualifications
We want to reassure you that we are committed to supporting you and your learners with the latest information and what it means for the delivery of Pearson qualifications.
Ensuring our school and college customers can continue to offer a wide choice of qualifications to their learners is – and will - remain our primary objective.
We are pleased to announce that all 12 of our new BTEC Level 3 qualifications submitted for approval in July 2023, have been approved for funding and will be available for first teaching from September 2025.
You can continue to teach BTEC with confidence and be reassured that these highly valued qualifications will continue to be a vital part of the Level 3 qualifications landscape in England in the future.
We have developed an interactive funding guide to support you understand the outcomes of the Review of Qualifications Reform in England.
If you would like to speak to someone about the vocational reform and what it means for you, your centre and the qualifications you offer now and in the future, please contact us
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
Explore BTEC Level 3 Technicals
Briefing sessions and training events will be available through 2024 and 2025.
In December 2024, the DfE announced that they are removing their previously stated rule that students can only take a maximum of one Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) as part of their Level 3 study programme in England.
We welcomed this announcement at Pearson, as schools and colleges are the ones that understand individual student’s progression needs and interests, so are best placed to create meaningful and coherent study programmes for their students.
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.
To find the latest information, resources and FAQs about the future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England bookmark this page
To find the latest information, resources and FAQs about the future of post-16 level 2 vocational qualifications in England
Visit our BTEC Level 2 reforms webpage
To receive the latest news, policy updates and any responses to any announcements straight to your inbox,
Sign up to vocational education and training updates
We will invite you to webinars to explain how changes might impact your curriculum
On the12 December 2024 DfE published further updates about the reform of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England.
The reforms do not affect Wales and Northern Ireland.
The reforms in England will not affect BTEC Internationals.
