Withdrawal of funding from qualifications for post-16 students in England
21 September 2021
The DfE has carried out a review of post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below and, on 14 December 2020, announced its process for removing funding approval for those qualifications with low or no uptake ("not being taken by anyone or being studied by less than 100 students each year and being funded by ESFA").
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has now published a list of post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below, where funding approval is being removed.
We can therefore confirm that from 1 August 2022 public funding for post-16 students is being removed from the OCR qualifications below. Students under 16 are not affected by these changes.
Entry Level
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Art and Design
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Computer Science
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in English
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Geography
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Latin
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Physical Education
- OCR Entry Level Certificate in Science
Cambridge Technicals (2012)
- OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Performing Arts
- OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Performing Arts
- OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Science
- OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Art and Design
Cambridge Nationals
- OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Award in Creative iMedia
- OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Award in Engineering Design
- OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Award in Systems Control in Engineering
- OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Award in Health and Social Care
- OCR Level 1/ 2 Cambridge National Award in Sport Science
FSMQ
- OCR Level 3 Free Standing Mathematics Qualification: Additional Maths
Other VTQ
- OCR Level 2 Diploma in IT User Skills (ITQ)
- OCR Level 3 Award in IT User Skills (ITQ)
- OCR Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ITQ)
- OCR Level 3 Diploma in IT User Skills (ITQ)
- OCR Entry Level Introductory Award in Life and Living Skills (Entry 1)
- OCR Entry Level Extended Award in Life and Living Skills (Entry 1)
- OCR Entry Level Introductory Award in Life and Living Skills (Entry 2)
- OCR Entry Level Diploma in Life and Living Skills (Entry 3)
- OCR Level 3 Award in Administration (Business Professional)
- OCR Level 3 Certificate in Administration (Business Professional)
You can read more on why funding approval is being removed for these qualifications on the DfE website.
For our Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, ITQ, Life and Living Skills, and Administration (Business Professional) qualifications, some other sizes remain eligible for ESFA funding. You can view the ESFA website for further details.
If you have any queries, please contact our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email support@ocr.org.uk.
Qualifications