On Wednesday 24 July, The Department for Education announced that it is undertaking a focused review of post-16 qualifications reform at level 3 and below. The review will conclude by the end of the year. Cycle 2 of the post-16 reforms will, therefore, not proceed to the originally published timetable. IfATE will provide further information when we can.
We encourage awarding bodies to continue to engage with us for support and guidance leading up to the submission window. Support sessions provide an opportunity to discuss the qualification(s) that you intend to develop and submit. We explain and clarify queries about our approvals process, qualification categories and criteria requirements.
If you did not submit in cycle 1 and are new to the process for cycle 2, please email us to request an initial one-to-one meeting.
IfATE delivered a live webinar on the approvals process for awarding bodies submitting level 2 and level 3 technical qualifications in cycle 2 on 04 December 2023.
This included an overview of the following information for cycle 2:
Submission window dates for level 3 cycle 2 technical qualifications will be confirmed in due course.
Documentation required by IfATE is published below.
When completing the level 3 cycle 2 submission form, please refer to the level 3 criteria and guidance.
Submission window dates for level 2 cycle 2 technical qualifications will be confirmed in due course.
Documentation required by IfATE is published below.
When completing the level 2 cycle 2 submission form, please refer to the level 2 criteria and guidance.
Awarding bodies need to align their level 3 occupational entry technical qualifications against the knowledge, skill and behaviour statements within the occupational standards in scope for level 3. Completion of these mapping templates is a mandatory part of the approvals process.
Mapping template level 3 – Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Mapping template level 3 - Business and administration
Mapping template level 3 - Care Services
Mapping template level 3 – Construction
Mapping template level 3 – Creative and design
Mapping template level 3 – Digital
Mapping template level 3 – Education and early years
Mapping template level 3 – Engineering and manufacturing
Mapping template level 3 – Health and science
Mapping template level 3 - Legal, finance and accounting
Mapping template level 3 – Protective services
Mapping template level 3 – Sales, marketing, and procurement
Mapping template level 3 – Transport and logistics
If an occupational standard that you wish to align a qualification to is not listed, please email us.
Mapping templates for level 2 occupational entry qualifications will be available in due course.
Mapping template level 3 – additional specialist qualifications.
Qualification structure document
Completion of these documents is a mandatory part of the approvals process, where awarding bodies are submitting into this category of qualification.
Completing the additional specialist qualification mapping template - (Tutorial video 5m 55s)
A mapping template for level 2 additional specialist qualifications will be available in due course.
Mapping template level 3 – occupational progression qualifications.
Qualification structure document
Completion of these documents is a mandatory part of the approvals process, where awarding bodies are submitting into this category of qualification.
Awarding bodies can refer to the assessment positive indicators document for support when developing qualifications and during the approvals process.
The following webinars have been recorded to support awarding bodies with their level 3 and level 2 submissions. They include information on:
Published 9 November 2023
Last updated 7 October 2024
(SK, LC, GW)