Ofqual
Key headlines for quarter 2 2024 (April to June)
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In quarter 2 2024 a total of 1.2 million certificates were issued for vocational and other qualifications, an increase of 8.6% from quarter 2 2023 (1.1 million). The number of certificates issued in the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024 (5.2 million) increased by 1.5% from the previous 12 months from July 2022 to June 2023 (5.1 million).
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Most qualification types saw an increase in the number of certificates issued compared with quarter 2 2023. The largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for Vocationally-Related Qualifications (from 406,995 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 460,915 certificates in quarter 2 2024, an increase of 13.2%). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for Other General Qualifications (from 33,845 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 25,590 certificates in quarter 2 2024, a decrease of 24.4%).
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Most qualification levels saw an increase in the number of certificates issued compared with quarter 2 2023. The largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was seen for Level 3 qualifications (from 314,085 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 386,725 certificates in quarter 2 2024, an increase of 23.1%). The largest absolute decrease in certificate numbers was seen for Level 1/Level 2 qualifications (from 30,725 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 18,350 certificates in quarter 2 2024, a decrease of 40.3%).
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A majority of sector subject areas saw an increase in the number of certificates issued compared with quarter 2 2023. Among sector subject areas, the largest increase in the number of certificates issued was seen for Health, Public Services and Care (from 296,885 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 336,555 certificates in quarter 2 2024, an increase of 13.4%). The largest absolute decrease in the number of certificates issued for a sector subject area was seen for Leisure, Travel and Tourism (from 69,575 certificates in quarter 2 2023 to 63,890 certificates in quarter 2 2024, a decrease of 8.2%).
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The top 3 qualifications with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 2 2024 were Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) with 32,885 certificates, followed by FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work with 27,650 certificates and TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 5) (B1.1) with 24,230 certificates.
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The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 2 2024 were Pearson with 186,790 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 139,050 certificates and Highfield with 88,175 certificates.
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The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024 were Pearson with 763,290 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 555,490 certificates and NCFE with 328,115 certificates. These 3 awarding organisations had also issued the highest numbers of certificates in July 2022 to June 2023, in the same order.
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 in 2023 and continued measures from 2024 onwards 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 is available separately, and can be explored visually via this interactive tool.
Statistics collection
All our published vocational and other qualifications publications are available as part of the collection for vocational qualifications statistics.
User feedback
We welcome your feedback on our publications. Should you have any comments on this statistical release and how to improve it to meet your needs please contact us at data.analytics@ofqual.gov.uk.