Vocational and other qualifications quarterly: October to December 2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-06)

Statistics on certificates issued for vocational and other qualifications (excluding GCSEs, AS and A levels, Advanced Extension Awards, apprenticeship end-point assessments, Extended Project Qualifications and T Level Technical Qualifications).

Key headlines for quarter 4 (October to December) 2024
- In quarter 4 2024 a total of 855,260 certificates were issued in 6,473 qualifications for vocational and other qualifications, an increase of 5.2% from quarter 4 2023 (813,155 certificates for 6,426 qualifications). The number of certificates issued in the 12 months from January to December 2024 (5.2 million) increased by 2.9% from the previous 12 months from January to December 2023 (5.1 million).
- Among qualification types, the largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for Other General Qualifications (from 1,800 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 26,315 certificates in quarter 4 2024, an increase of 1,364%, mostly due to certificates issued this quarter for newly introduced Tech Awards). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for Occupational Qualifications (from 134,955 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 130,725 certificates in quarter 4 2024, a decrease of 3.1%).
- Among qualification levels, the largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for Level 1/Level 2 qualifications (from 440 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 25,205 certificates in quarter 4 2024, an increase of 5,615%, mostly due to certificates issued this quarter for newly introduced Tech Awards). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for Level 2 qualifications (from 263,035 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 259,745 certificates in quarter 4 2024, a decrease of 1.3%). Additionally, there was a 7.9% decrease in certificates issued for Level 4 qualifications (from 14,855 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 13,685 certificates in quarter 4 2024).
- Among sector subject areas, the largest increase in the number of certificates issued was seen for Preparation for Life and Work (from 116,680 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 135,290 certificates in quarter 4 2024, an increase of 16.0%). Additionally, there was an 18.1% increase in certificates issued for Digital Technology (from 10,715 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 12,655 certificates in quarter 4 2024). The largest absolute decrease in the number of certificates issued for a sector subject area was seen for Languages, Literature and Culture (from 26,855 certificates in quarter 4 2023 to 22,205 certificates in quarter 4 2024, a decrease of 17.3%).
- The top 3 qualifications with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 4 2024 were Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) with 31,100 certificates, followed by TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 5) (B1.1) with 28,715 certificates and FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work with 28,015 certificates.
- The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 4 2024 were City & Guilds with 81,600 certificates, followed by NCFE with 79,915 certificates and Highfield with 75,570 certificates.
- The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in the 12 months from January to December 2024 were Pearson with 717,690 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 553,260 certificates and NCFE with 348,650 certificates.
Context

From 2023, the number of certificates issued in each quarter may follow a different pattern than in previous years. This is due to the implementation of the Action Plan for VTQ results (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-plan-vocational-and-technical-qualification-results-2023/action-plan-vocational-and-technical-qualification-results-2023) in 2023 and continued measures from 2024 onwards (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-announces-steps-to-secure-parity-for-students-taking-vocational-qualifications) to ensure that students receive results in sufficient time. This was actioned in response to the issues with VTQ results delivery in 2022.

Datasets

The dataset used to produce this release (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vocational-qualifications-dataset) is available separately, and can be explored visually via this interactive tool (https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/VTQ/VocationalAndOtherQualificationsOverTime/).

Statistics collection

All our published vocational and other qualifications publications are available as part of the collection for vocational qualifications statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-vocational-qualifications).

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