What are the 160 Level 3 qualifications DfE wants to chop to make way for T-Levels?

The Department for Education has published a provisional list of 160 Level 3 Qualifications that overlap with T-levels. These qualifications are set to be scrapped as part of the move to T-levels.

Last year, plans to withdraw funding from most BTECs and other applied general qualifications from 2024 were criticised due to “the potential to do huge damage to social mobility“.

In 2021 alone, more than 230,000 students completed their Level 3 BTEC qualifications. BTEC’s and other applied general qualifications are said to be “engines of social mobility” and open doors for disadvantaged students.

T Levels are technical qualifications – equivalent to three A Levels – that combine classroom study with industry placements so that students gain the skills and experience they need to progress into work, further study or an apprenticeship.

T Level courses include the following elements:

• a technical qualification, which includes
  • core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area
  • specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career
• a meaningful  industry placement with an employer of around 9 weeks
• a minimum standard in maths and English if students have not already achieved them.

BTECs can be used for university applications, but many use them to gain occupation-specific skills. With T-levels however, a recent FE News exclusive article highlights that:

“Negotiating the admissions slalom is made all the harder by the refusal of more than half of British universities to consider T-Levels as adequate qualifications in support of an application”

With half of British universities refusing to consider T-levels as adequate qualifications and the scrapping of 160 Level 3 Qualifications, students will ultimately find it harder to get into an university, especially disadvantaged students.

What is a Level 3 Qualification?

According to the Government website, ‘A full level 3 qualification is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or 2 A levels‘.

A Level 3 Qualification can be taken in the form of A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships and more!

The Provisional list of 160 Level 3 Qualifications set to be Scrapped:

• City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for IT Users (ITQ)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (QCF)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in IT (QCF)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals
• City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support
• EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
• EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances)
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Trowel Occupations (Construction)
• SFJ Awards Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England
• NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Site Carpentry
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Bricklaying
• EAL Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
• NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction)
• NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
• NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Bench Joinery (Construction)
• BPEC Level 3 Diploma In Plumbing Foundation
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing
• Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
• Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma For the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator)
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England)
• FAQ Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Childcare (Early Years Educator)
• IAO Level 3 Diploma In Early Learning and Childcare (Early Years Educator)
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
• EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
• EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Plumbing
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy – Birth to Seven (Early Years Educator)
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering
• EAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
• City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in IT
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Health and Social Care
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Care (1080)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing (450)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Health and Care (540)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Bricklaying (450)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation (450)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business Information Systems
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Science
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Systems and Network Support
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computing for Creative Industries
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering (450)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Site Carpentry (450)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Architectural Joinery (450)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Painting and Decorating (450)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering 
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computer Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma for the Children’s Workforce (Early Years Educator) (RQF)
• iCQ Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (RQF)
• Skillsfirst Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (Early Years Educator) (RQF)
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)
• Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma for the Children’s Workforce (Early Years Educator) (RQF)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering
• EAL Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Building Services Engineering
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• iCQ Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• IAO Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• City & Guilds Level 3 Heating and Ventilating Craftsperson Qualification (Industrial and Commercial)
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (RQF)
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
• FAQ Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• Highfield Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (RQF)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• Highfield Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
• Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• iCQ Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England)
• Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• FAQ Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• Skillsfirst Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Maintenance (RQF)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Networking and Architecture
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• BPEC Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Diploma for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Certificate for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• BPEC Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Engineering (RQF)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Award in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
• ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction)
• iCQ Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
• EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing
• “GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Decorative Finishing-Painting and Decorating (Construction) “
• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England)
• TQUK Level 3 Certificate in AI Programming with Python (RQF)
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
• NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry (Construction)
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in Engineering
• BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
• ICQ Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (RQF)
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education
• IAO Level 3 Certificate in Web Design and Development
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Building Services Engineering
• SFJ Awards Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Health and Social Care
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Transcend Level 3 Certificate for Teaching Assistants
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction)
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)

Sector Response

Tom Bewick, Chief Executive at Federation of Awarding Bodies, said:

“We welcome the Department providing greater clarity to the public on what L3 qualifications it intends to defund as part of the phased roll-out of T Levels. 

“While it is difficult for us to comment on the adverse impact these changes may have on individual qualifications or AOs, the Federation recognises that ministers have shown some flexibility by listening to many of the arguments put forward by the sector in recent times. Not least the call to proceed with more caution; and to ensure that there is a place in the future landscape for L3 qualifications which have a proven track record of getting students into skilled jobs or progression to further and higher education. 

“Our position remains one, however, that we don’t support the argument that in order to make government owned T Levels successful in future, other qualifications that may compete with them should have their recognition in the marketplace automatically withdrawn. That would be to reverse decades of success in post-16 education where the government has always promoted student and provider choice within a mixed-market economy and level regulatory playing field. What government is engaging in is market manipulation.”

Freya Thomas Monk, SVP Vocational Qualifications & Training at Pearson, said:   

“The DfE has made it clear that BTECs and other Applied Generals will continue to be an important part of the Level 3 qualifications landscape in the future.  

“Of the 41 Pearson qualifications which meet the published criteria for defunding, over half of the qualifications are being withdrawn as part of our usual cycle of updating and renewing our products, or are designed primarily for apprenticeships learners, which means they will not be affected by this process.  

“We will be appealing a number of important qualifications on the list, such as the Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Health and Social Care,  which we don’t believe meet the published criteria.  They are valued by 16-19 learners, colleges, universities and employers and are not replaced by T Levels.    

“We will be writing to our customers shortly with what this announcement means for them and their learners. Schools and colleges should be reassured that they can continue to teach the vast majority of our BTEC qualifications into the future.” 

David Gallagher, CEO at NCFE, said:

“The publishing of this list marks a long-overdue clarification of the specific qualifications impacted by the Level 3 review, and we’re pleased to see that the government has responded to feedback by not adopting a wholesale defunding approach.

“The reforms are clearly designed to ensure that more learners access T Levels as the new gold standard for technical education. We welcome this commitment to T Levels and support the overall objective of the review in simplifying the qualification landscape, providing much needed clarity and focusing on qualifications that will deliver quality outcomes.

“However, we do have concerns over the extent of the defunding and the impact that this might have on our centres and learners.  It’s crucial that the future phases of the review preserve the qualification eco-system and continue to offer a balance of provision so that learners have choice and can find the right training route for their needs.”

Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said:

“The Association of Colleges is glad to see a bit of much-needed clarity on the long-awaited draft list of qualifications which will be defunded from 2024. There have been some improvements since the previous proposals, but it is still concerning to see one in 10 enrolments will be impacted by these changes. No student should be left high and dry without a qualification to study.

“We hope that awarding bodies, Ofqual and IfATE can approve the new or repurposed qualifications which run alongside A Levels and T Levels swiftly so there are no gaps in provision. T Levels need to be accessible to as broad a range of students as possible and colleges have concerns that this is not the case currently.

“For colleges to plan appropriately, it is important that a list of qualifications which will continue to be funded – particularly those which do not overlap with T Levels like Sport and Performing Arts – is published as soon as possible. Colleges will also need time to prepare for any new qualifications which are introduced.

“As the number of students taking T Levels continues to grow, and alternative routes are reduced, it is vital that the government does everything it can to ensure more employers provide sufficient work placements, otherwise T Levels will be unworkable for a large swathe of the population.”

Jane Hickie, AELP Chief Executive:

“It is good that the government have finally outlined the 160 level 3 qualifications which will be removed to make way for T Levels. The FE sector now has two years to adapt to the new landscape. However, there remains a total lack clarity on which qualifications are in-scope for funding removal as part of the Department for Education (DfE)’s review into level 2 and below qualifications.

What we do know is the direction of travel points to a future landscape where 90% of qualifications for young people and 85% of qualifications for adults are likely to be defunded at level 2 and below. The level of change is incredibly worrying, not least for disadvantaged learners. As these qualifications need to cover both generalist and specialist options, the government should not look to over-rationalise and impede learner and employer choice. Level 2 is an acceptable step-off point- not all learners and occupations want or need to go above this.
The sector needs to be informed and consulted in a much more meaningful way- which is why AELP are urging the DfE to publish the full list of qualifications which they deem as “in-scope” for potential removal as soon as possible”

David Phillips Managing Director of City & Guilds and ILM:

“It is helpful to finally see the provisional list of Level 3 qualifications that the DfE are proposing to defund.”

“At City & Guilds we fully support the efforts that are being made to ensure that these important T Level qualifications are given every chance of success, for the sake of our future learners.”

“Where there are qualifications that have a clear and unequivocable duplication with the content of T Levels, there is a case to defund. However, we believe that a more thoughtful and nuanced consideration about the implications of defunding so many Level 3 qualifications needs to be taken. We must make absolutely sure that if there are qualifications that provide much needed learning in other areas, we don’t disadvantage those who rely on these routes to gain vital skills.”