Vocational and other qualifications quarterly: April to June 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-18)

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 2 (April to June) 2025

In quarter 2 2025, a total of 1.2 million certificates were issued in 7,101 qualifications for vocational and other qualifications, an increase in certificates of 0.6% from quarter 2 2024. The number of certificates issued in the 12 months from July 2024 to June 2025 (5.2 million) increased by 0.6% from the previous 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024.

Among qualification types, the largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for other general qualifications (from 25,590 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 49,830 certificates in quarter 2 2025, an increase of 94.7%). Additionally, there was a 10.2% increase in certificate numbers for performing arts graded examinations (from 138,745 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 152,940 certificates in quarter 2 2025). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for vocationally-related qualifications (from 461,055 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 437,140 certificates in quarter 2 2025, a decrease of 5.2%). Additionally, there was a 5.5% decrease in certificate numbers for Functional Skills (from 93,305 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 88,175 certificates in quarter 2 2025).

Among qualification levels, the largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for entry level qualifications (from 168,760 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 189,325 certificates in quarter 2 2025, an increase of 12.2%). Additionally, there was a 14.0% increase in certificate numbers for level 4 qualifications (from 16,565 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 18,885 certificates in quarter 2 2025). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for level 2 qualifications (from 345,250 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 333,930 certificates in quarter 2 2025, a decrease of 3.3%). Additionally, there was a 17.3% decrease in certificate numbers for level 7 qualifications (from 6,660 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 5,505 certificates in quarter 2 2025).

Most qualification sector subject areas saw a decrease in the number of certificates issued compared with quarter 2 2024. The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for health, public services and care (from 336,080 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 314,685 certificates in quarter 2 2025, a decrease of 6.4%). Additionally, there was a 18.1% decrease in certificate numbers for science and mathematics (from 12,515 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 10,245 certificates in quarter 2 2025). The largest increase in certificate numbers was seen for arts, media and publishing (from 164,255 certificates in quarter 2 2024 to 198,850 certificates in quarter 2 2025, an increase of 21.1%).

The top 3 qualifications with the most certificates issued in quarter 2 2025 were Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) with 31,510 certificates, followed by FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work with 30,105 certificates and TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 5) (B1.1) with 25,350 certificates. These 3 qualifications also had the most certificates issued in quarter 2 2024.

The top 3 awarding organisations with the most certificates issued in quarter 2 2025 were Pearson with 167,140 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 130,755 certificates and NCFE with 85,360 certificates. These 3 awarding organisations also had the most certificates issued in quarter 2 2024.

The top 3 awarding organisations with the most certificates issued in the 12 months from July 2024 to June 2025 were Pearson with 694,030 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 546,695 certificates and NCFE with 361,950 certificates. These 3 awarding organisations also had the most certificates issued in the previous 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024.

Context for trends this quarter

This quarter’s trends have been affected by an operational change in certification timing by University of the Arts London (UAL). In 2024, UAL primarily issued certificates in quarter 3, following the summer results period. In 2025, UAL issued a large number of certificates earlier in the year, shifting into quarter 2. This change contributed to the notable increases in certificate numbers for other general qualifications and the arts, media and publishing sector subject area for quarter 2 2025 when compared to quarter 2 2024.

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 in our interactive visualisation for Vocational and other qualifications over time (https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/VTQ/VocationalAndOtherQualificationsOverTime/).

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