Post-16 technical qualifications may need to change during their lifecycle, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Changes may also be needed to align to current employer requirements or occupational standard(s).
We expect awarding organisations (AOs) to make these changes in line with their own internal processes.
AOs should align to the timescales set out within this guidance.
AOs can make either major or minor changes.
If you are planning a change and are not sure if it is major or minor, contact us at: ifate.post16@education.gov.uk.
Minor changes do not affect a qualification’s ongoing approval, so there is no need for an AO to go through our change process. Examples include any change(s) to:
Major changes may affect a qualification’s ongoing approval. AOs must submit a proposal for any major change(s), which we will review. Examples include but are not limited to:
AOs wishing to make a major change(s) must ensure that we have approved the intended change(s).
AOs should arrange a one-to-one support session with us prior to submitting the change request.
The support session will provide an opportunity to discuss the intended change(s).
Following the support session, AOs will be able to submit the change request, using the change request form.
AOs must provide sufficient detail/documentation within their change request, so we can fully review the proposed change(s).
We will aim to provide a response to a change request within eight weeks of receiving it.
If we approve the requested change(s), it is the AO’s responsibility to update and submit any revised material.
Change requests may also originate from us, primarily because of adjustments or revisions to occupational standards to which a qualification aligns.
Adjustments are minor amendments that do not result in a material change to the occupational standard; for example, updating the type of coding language used in industry.
When an occupational standard is revised, this may affect the content coverage of a qualification approved against it. Examples would include the addition or removal of KSBs from an occupational standard.
We may also require changes where there are concerns about an approved qualification’s quality.
Where we initiate a change, AOs must submit their qualification materials, including any supporting materials, within six months of being notified.
Failure to submit within six months (unless agreed directly with us) puts the qualification’s ongoing approval status at risk. This could subsequently affect its regulatory status and funding.
AOs can submit their amended materials at any point during this six-month period, but we encourage AOs to complete and submit their changes as soon as is practical.
We will aim to notify AOs as soon as a revision or change to an occupational standard has been published.
We will provide support materials and instruction to AOs as needed to make the required change(s); for example, an up-to-date mapping template.
It will be the AO’s responsibility to ensure that their change(s) aligns to the proposed revision(s).
AOs must contact us as soon as possible if they can't submit materials by the required deadline. They should outline the exceptional reasons for requesting an extension to these timeframes.
You can email us with any further questions on the post-approval change process at ifate.post16@education.gov.uk.
We will discuss any changes not described within the above process on a case-by-case basis. This will include the timetable for withdrawing the qualification’s approval if an occupational standard is to be withdrawn.
The AO should tell us in their submission if they believe that the requested changes will require additional regulatory recognition; for example, changes to their Ofqual scope of recognition or a new qualification regulation number.
We will confirm the timescale for completing our review when we receive the changed materials.
As we review the qualification changes, we may request additional evidence, clarifications, and/or amendments. Depending on the nature of these requests, we reserve the right to lengthen the agreed timescales. We may also share change request information with Ofqual and DfE and seek feedback where appropriate.
Once we have completed our review and approval actions, we will inform the AO of our decision. AOs should then promptly share the revised materials with their providers. Where required, AOs will also need to submit final, up to date revised materials to us within two weeks of the decision.
Where there are changes to assessment strategies, AOs must promptly inform Ofqual using the AO Portal.
The Department for Education (DfE) will review changes that are likely to affect its funding approval criteria.
Information submitted to the change process and directly to Ofqual will be shared with all three parties (DfE, IfATE and Ofqual).
The Post-16 team can support any queries about proposed changes, including whether a change request should be made.
For non-technical qualifications, AOs need to refer to the DfE Qualifications funding approval manual: from August 2025 - Managing and monitoring the qualification offers - Guidance. They should contact DfE at qualifications.approval@education.gov.uk.
Published 10 Jan 2023
Last updated 21 November 2024
(SKD, NS)