Update 17 December 2024
This information currently affects centres in England only. We are monitoring developments in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and will add further information as required.
Department for Education (DfE) have announced the outcome of the rapid review of reforms to Level 3 qualifications. We are delighted to confirm that existing UAL Awarding Body qualifications continue to be unaffected, but in addition will be funded until at least 2027. This is a significant improvement on the year-to-year process which was in place.
We are pleased that the Government have listened to us and to stakeholders across the sector who have argued for a change in approach. The new emphasis is on an important continuing role for alternatives to A Levels and T Levels. This includes more flexibility on content overlap and rules of combination. UAL Awarding Body qualifications were not in line for defunding in favour of T Levels and this remains the case.
This confirms that our current portfolio remains fully funded and available. We also have a complete suite of Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) ready should that option become preferable. DfE will share more details in Spring 2025 about how we can submit new qualifications for approval.
If you would like to find out more, we are holding an online briefing session open to all UAL Awarding Body approved centres on Wednesday 29 January.
What are Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
Our terminology sheet which provides a glossary of terms around the Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs):
Please note the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an “Other Academic Qualification” and is exempt from this process.
Key facts about our AAQs:
- They are Level 3 qualifications
- They are primarily designed to support progression to further or higher education
- This academic route is regulated by Ofqual
- They will be funded for both 16–19-year-olds and adult learners
- There will be two initial cycles of qualifications submissions to DfE – Creative Arts subjects are in cycle 2
- Grading will be Fail/Pass/High Pass/Merit/High Merit/Distinction*
- Assessment will be a minimum of 40% Assessment by Examination (AbE), set and marked by the Awarding Organisation; Non-exam Assessment (NEA) set by the Awarding Organisation, marked by the centre and monitored by the Awarding Organisation will be a maximum of 60%.
UAL are developing AAQ qualifications in three different sizes: small (360 GLH) and large (720 GLH and 1080 GLH).
We have 17 new AAQ qualifications well advanced in development for submission to DfE as and when this becomes desirable and a process is opened.
Small AAQs
- Equivalent in size to 1 A Level
- Funded for 150 to 420 GLH
- Our Extended Certificates will be 360 GLH
Large AAQs
- Equivalent in size to 2 or 3 A Levels
- Funded for 720 to 1080 GLH
- Our Diplomas will be 720 GLH and our Extended Diplomas will be 1080 GLH
- Typically taken as a learner’s core programme of study (and can be taken alongside an Extended Project Qualification, for example)
- Learners taking large AAQs equivalent in size to three A Levels will not typically take additional qualifications
- Available in areas where there is no T Level but there is a clear need/progression to higher education.
Please find the qualification provision list below. Please note this is subject to DfE approval.
Timeline for Level 3 AAQs
We are awaiting further information from DfE in Spring 2025. We will communicate any further announcements as soon as possible).
You will be able to register learners onto existing UAL Awarding Body qualifications in their current format until at least July 2027.
Level 2 and below Progression Qualifications
At Level 2 and below there will be three new types of qualifications
- Level 2 Academic Progression Qualifications – APQs
- Level 1 Progression Qualification
- Entry Level Progression Qualifications.
These qualification types reflect the requirement that these qualifications must support progression to the next stage of learning.
The inclusion of the word academic in the Level 2 qualifications reflects that these qualifications can only be developed if they support progression to an approved Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification.
UAL Awarding Body are in the process of developing Level 2 APQ qualifications inv the same subject sector areas that we are submitting Level 3 qualifications i.e, Art and Design, Creative Media, Performing and Production Arts, Music Performance and Production and Fashion Communication (titles may be subject to change).
Timeline for Level 2 and below qualifications
Recent guidance from DfE, however, has stated that future decisions on level 2 and below qualifications reform will be taken considering the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR). Therefore, we will keep you updated on the position of these qualifications after the result of the review are published in Autumn 2025.
Level 4 qualifications
There are no proposed changes to content/structure at Level 4. The only thing that is changing at Level 4 is the way the qualifications are funded. The ESFA are moving away from the Advanced Learner Loan system and to the new Lifelong Loan Entitlement system.
For any further information or guidance, please contact qualdev.awarding@arts.ac.uk