GovWire

Key headlines for quarter 4 2023 (October to December)

1. In quarter 4 2023 a total of 814,890 certificates were issued for vocational qualifications, an increase of 2.8% from quarter 4 2022 (792,770 certificates). The number of certificates issued in the 12 months from January to December 2023 (5.1 million) increased by 3.3% from the previous 12 months from January to December 2022 (4.9 million). This number remains below pre-pandemic levels when compared to the 12 months leading up to December 2019 (5.7 million certificates).

2. Among qualification types, the largest absolute increases in the number of certificates issued in quarter 4 2023 compared to quarter 4 2022 were seen for Performing Arts Graded Examinations (from 83,050 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 100,965 certificates in quarter 4 2023, an increase of 21.6%) and for English for Speakers of Other Languages (from 56,460 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 67,250 certificates in quarter 4 2023, an increase of 19.1%). The largest absolute decreases in certificate numbers were seen for Vocationally-Related Qualifications (from 300,160 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 291,620 certificates in quarter 4 2023, a decrease of 2.8%) and for Functional Skills (from 44,745 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 36,720 certificates in quarter 4 2023, a decrease of 17.9%).

3. Most qualification levels saw an increase in the number of certificates issued. The largest absolute increase in certificate numbers was among Level 1 qualifications (from 169,535 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 178,420 certificates in quarter 4 2023, an increase of 5.2%). Level 7 qualifications saw the largest percentage increase in certificates issued, up 40.5% (from 3,905 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 5,490 certificates in quarter 4 2023). The largest percentage decrease in certificate numbers was among Level 1/Level 2 qualifications (from 1,495 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 440 certificates in quarter 4 2023, a decrease of 70.5%).

4. The largest absolute increase in the number of certificates issued for a sector subject area was seen for Arts, Media and Publishing qualifications (from 89,595 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 106,475 certificates in quarter 4 2023, an increase of 18.8%). Qualifications in Languages, Literature and Culture saw a notable percentage increase in certificates issued, up 30.8% (from 17,550 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 22,945 certificates in quarter 4 2023). The largest absolute decrease in the number of certificates issued was seen for Retail and Commercial Enterprise qualifications (from 47,650 certificates in quarter 4 2022 to 41,780 certificates in quarter 4 2023, a decrease of 12.3%).

5. The top 3 qualifications with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 4 2023 were Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) with 29,930 certificates, followed by FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work with 25,815 certificates, and TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 5) (B1.1) with 22,590 certificates.

6. The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 4 2023 were City & Guilds with 83,910 certificates, followed by Highfield with 74,445 certificates and Qualsafe with 57,930 certificates. These 3 awarding organisations also had the highest numbers of certificates issued in quarter 4 2022.

7. The top 3 awarding organisations with the highest numbers of certificates issued in the 12 months from January to December 2023 were Pearson with 709,795 certificates, followed by City & Guilds with 550,415 certificates and NCFE with 336,715 certificates. These 3 awarding organisations also had the highest numbers of certificates issued in the 12 months from January to December 2022.

Context

For assessments taken in quarter 4 2023 (October to December), specific adaptations put in place to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic were no longer permitted. Certificates issued during this period may use results from adapted assessments taken before September 2022 (see the background notes for more information). The trends seen in this quarter may have been affected as a result.

In 2023, there was an increased emphasis across the vocational and technical qualification system to ensure that students received results in sufficient time to inform decisions about future progression. As a result, in 2023 the number of certificates issued in each quarter may follow a different pattern than in previous years.

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

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