Revealed: 76 BTECs facing the axe in post-16 qualifications review

The Department for Education has confirmed plans to withdraw funding for 163 qualifications that “overlap” with A-levels – including 76 BTECs.

Ministers announced in March that they were considering withdrawing funding for “duplicate” qualifications, amid concerns some do not provide the same high-quality education as A-levels and other equivalents.

Now the list of qualifications facing having funding withdrawn has been released, and the government has also confirmed it will also prevent any new qualification at the same level from getting funding approval from next year.

The move is part of a crackdown on “poor quality post-16 qualifications”, and follows the first part of a two-stage consultation to decide the future of over 12,000 vocational qualifications at level 3 and below.

The government wants to make A-levels, T-levels and apprenticeships the “gold standard” option for young people after they take their GCSEs from 2020.

It will only continue to fund alternative qualifications at level 3 and below – such as applied generals, BTECs and Tech Levels – if they are “high quality, are necessary, have a clear purpose, and lead to good outcomes”.

“I have previously said you cannot legislate for parity of esteem between technical and academic education – you’ve got to ensure high standards, then the esteem will come,” the education secretary Damian Hinds said today.

“Our unrelenting focus on improving the quality of the qualifications available is key to this.

“The current system is confusing and complicated, with more than 12,000 qualifications available at Level 3 and below. We are reviewing qualifications to boost the quality of the options out there so more students and parents will trust them.”

Some sector leaders have expressed concern that the level 3 and below review is manipulation of the market – something the skills minister Anne Milton has strongly denied.

Today’s announcement said the removal of duplicate qualifications from August 2020 would ensure “that students take the newer, more rigorous versions”.

The DfE will also introduce a “funding moratorium on any new qualifications from 2020”, to “avoid adding to the already confusing and complicated system of over 12,000 qualifications already available at these levels”.

The government’s own response to its first consultation will be published alongside the launch of the second consultation, which will set out more detailed proposals for change, including the criteria that will be used to determine whether a qualification will be approved for public funding.

 

The qualifications facing the chop

 

BTECs

50062451             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Understanding Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)

50062463             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)

50066730             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)

50067205             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)

50067254             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)

50067266             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science (QCF)

50067461             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business (QCF)

50067473             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business (QCF)

50067485             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Business (QCF)

50067503             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business (QCF)

50067515             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport (QCF)

50067539             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Sport (QCF)

50067552             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport (QCF)

50067643             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (QCF)

50067655             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)

50067667             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)

50068015             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)

50068726             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)

50068738             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)

50069196             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)

50069202             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Performing Arts (QCF)

50071440             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design (QCF)

50073333             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Art and Design (QCF)

50077132             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Law (QCF)

50077181             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Music (QCF)

50079281             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

50081561             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Engineering (QCF)

50091475             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT (QCF)

50091487             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in IT (QCF)

50093174             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)

50094658             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)

50095018             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)

50097878             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Travel and Tourism (QCF)

60038871             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in IT (QCF)

60038895             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Business (QCF)

60039309             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)

60039310             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Sport (QCF)

60058493             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)

60061789             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)

60105021             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)

6003953X             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)

6010501X             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)

50071373             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)

50071397             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)

50071403             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)

50072833             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)

50072961             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)

50073199             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)

50077995             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (QCF)

50078008             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering  (QCF)

50080970             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)

50080982             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)

50081548             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering (QCF)

50081652             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (QCF)

50082425             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture (QCF)

50082437             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)

50082619             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management (QCF)

50082656             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)

50082668             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)

50083016             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture (QCF)

50083028             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management (QCF)

50083119             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)

50083363             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)

50094282             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)

50094312             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)

50094324             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)

60022449             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision

60105641             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)

60110958             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)

60110995             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (QCF)

60111008             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)

60125251             Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (VRQ)

60125275             Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (VRQ)

5007314X             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)

5008351X             Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)

6010563X             Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)

 

Others

60028269             UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design

60028270             UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design

60030835             WJEC Level 3 Diploma In Criminology

60042266             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Business

60042291             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business

60042308             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Health and Social Care

60042321             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Business

60042333             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

60042357             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Business

60042369             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care

60043866             WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition

60046089             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Business

60046120             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Health and Social Care

60046235             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT

60061406             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Sport

60061431             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Sport

60078339             CISI Level 3 Diploma In Finance, Risk & Investment

60101118             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Performing Arts

60102470             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Performing Arts

60102482             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

60102494             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Performing Arts

60102500             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts

60131354             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Sports Studies

60131366             VTCT Level 3 Introductory Diploma in Sports Studies

60131378             VTCT Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sports Studies

6004228X             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT

6013138X             VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Studies

50024000             OCR Level 3 Principal Learning in Engineering

50065038             City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Floristry

50073898             VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

50082796             City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management

50082802             City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management

50083211             City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management

50083843             City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture

50083855             City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture

50083880             City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture

50084872             City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture

50084896             City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management

50084902             City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture

50085608             City & Guilds Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Countryside Management

50087083             City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management

50087095             City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management

50087149             City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management

50087204             City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

50087241             City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

50089419             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology

50091001             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Barbering

60014842             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering

60042345             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT

60042370             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in IT

60048050             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery

60054979             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plumbing Studies

60054992             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures)

60060487             City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Agriculture

60061005             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Media

60061121             City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Animal Management

60061133             City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Countryside Management

60061145             City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horse Management

60061157             City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horticulture

60061777             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Media

60061972             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Media

60066131             RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners

60069958             VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing

60077943             IMI Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology (VRQ)

60080504             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Bench Joinery

60085927             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Painting and Decorating

60086658             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Studies

60087080             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing Studies

60087092             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering Studies

60090054             VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery Studies

60093316             EAL Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installation

60110016             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plastering

60121476             NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)

60131172             City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) (540)

60145365             AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Power Network Engineering (VRQ)

60145377             AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Design Engineering (VRQ)

60145389             AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Mechatronic Engineering (VRQ)

60145419             AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Networking (VRQ)

60145420             AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: User Support (VRQ)

60145432             AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Programming (VRQ)

5008401X             City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture

5008561X             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management

5010682X             City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Land-based Technology

6004231X             OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT

6005072X             City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Complementary Therapies

6006481X             City & Guilds Level 3 Principal Learning in Construction and the Built Environment

6006612X             RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma For Music Practitioners