On 30 January 2024, the DfE published the provisional list of qualifications that will no longer be funded from academic year 2025/2026 for 16–19 learners in England, due to an overlap with wave 4 T Levels. Wales and Northern Ireland are unaffected by these reforms. 

The list is provisional because awarding organisations can appeal qualifications they think should not be on the list. The final list will be published by the DfE in May 2024.    

The list covers qualifications in the following subject areas: 

• Agriculture, environment and animal care 
• Creative and design 
• Legal services

BTEC qualifications unaffected   

The BTEC Nationals in Law, and in Art and Design are not affected, and you can continue to teach these qualifications in 2024/25 and 2025/26.  

BTEC qualifications affected   

Of the 71 qualifications on the provisional list, 23 are Pearson qualifications. 

As part of our usual cycle of updating and renewing our products, three of the Pearson qualifications listed were already set to be withdrawn on 31 August 2024: 

• 500/7870/7 Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Music Technology (QCF) 
• 500/7888/4 Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production (QCF) 
• 500/7872/0 Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music Technology (QCF) 

Appeals

We are appealing several qualifications on the list which we do not believe meet the published criteria, are valued by 16–19 learners, colleges, universities and employers and are not replaced by T Levels. These are the qualifications we are appealing: 

• 603/1233/6 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sound Engineering
  
• 603/4670/X Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Production Arts Practice 
• 601/7470/5 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Film and Television Production
• 603/1232/4 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Digital Music Production
• 601/7469/9 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production 
• 603/1910/0 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Digital Film and Video Production 
• 603/4665/6 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice 
• 603/4663/2 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice 

We will share the outcomes of any appeals as soon as these are available.  

When will this funding withdrawal come into effect?

Any funding changes will be from 31 July 2025 once the final list of defunded qualifications is published.  

You can continue to register onto all qualifications on the list (that have not been withdrawn) for the academic years 2024/2025, with the confidence that:  

• There is no impact on performance table measures.  
• Learners who are currently on these qualifications will be able to complete them.  
• EFSA funding remains in place

Further information   

You can find the full list of qualifications that are affected by the reforms in 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27 in the BTEC Level 3 funding checklist for Nationals and BTEC Level 3 funding checklist for other Level 3 qualifications.   

If you have any questions, or would like help in understanding Level 3 reform, contact us and we can support you.