GovWire

Approvals process for alternative academic qualifications:

1. Awarding organisation prepares qualification for submission
2. Awarding organisation goes to the single access point for awarding organisations submitting qualifications for approval for information about the funding approvals process and how to submit qualification
3. Once qualification is submitted, DfE assesses whether it is necessary and passes to Ofqual
4. Ofqual reviews qualification and provides feedback to DfE
5. DfE reviews the qualification against funding approval criteria and publishes a list of qualifications that have been approved for funding
6. Teaching of approved qualification begins

Approvals process for technical qualifications:

1. Awarding organisation prepares qualification for submission
2. Awarding organisation goes to single access point for awarding organisations submitting qualifications for approval for information about the funding approvals process and how to submit qualification
3. Once awarding organisation submits qualification, IfATE reviews it against its approval criteria with employer input where necessary
4. Ofqual reviews qualification and provides feedback to IfATE
5. IfATE engages with employers to validate that qualification meets employers needs
6. IfATE makes approval decision
7. DfE reviews the qualification against funding approval criteria and publishes a list of qualifications that have been approved for funding
8. Teaching of approved qualification begins

This process is available as a diagram in the Approvals process flowchart (PDF, 99KB).