GovWire

Context

In quarter 3 2022 (July to September) there were no COVID-19 restrictions in place in England. Adaptations to vocational and other qualifications continued to be permitted, in line with our regulatory arrangements (please see the background notes for more information). The trends seen in this quarter may have been affected as a result.

Main trends for quarter 3 (July to September) 2022

1. The number of certificates awarded in 2022 quarter 3 was just over 2.1 million, a 7% decrease from quarter 3 of 2021. The number of certificates issued between October 2021 and September 2022 (4,712,105) increased by 2% relative to the number of certificates issued between October 2020 and September 2021 (4,621,110). Despite this increase, the number of certificates issued in October 2021 to September 2022 is still below pre-pandemic levels, with 1,068,500 fewer certificates issued than between October 2018 and September 2019 (5,780,600).

2. Despite a decrease in overall number of certificates, several qualification types saw an increase in numbers of certificates issued compared to quarter 3 2021. The largest increase was seen for Other General Qualifications (from 339,995 certificates in quarter 3 2021 to 372,535 certificates in quarter 3 2022, an increase of 10%). Vocationally-Related Qualifications showed the largest decrease (from 1,097,335 certificates in quarter 3 2021 to 885,550 certificates in quarter 3 2022, a decrease of 19%).

3. Most qualification levels saw a decrease in the numbers of certificates issued compared to quarter 3 2021. The largest decreases in numbers were seen in Level 3 qualifications (from 693,515 certificates in quarter 3 of 2021 to 586,880 certificates in quarter 3 of 2022, a decrease of 15%) and Level 1/Level 2 qualifications (from 416,215 to 318,350 certificates, a decrease of 24%). The largest increase in numbers was seen for Entry Level qualifications (from 254,370 in quarter 3 2021 to 302,000 in quarter 3 2022, an increase of 19%).

4. Quarter 3 of 2022 saw decreases in the number of certificates awarded for most sector subject areas. Business, Administration and Law saw the largest decrease in number of certificates compared to quarter 3 of 2021 (from 196,605 certificates to 146,210, a decrease of 26%). The largest increase in the number of certificates was seen in Preparation for Life and Work, increasing by 8% from 366,600 in quarter 3 of 2021 to 394,215 in quarter 3 of 2022.

5. The 2 qualifications with the highest number of certificates awarded in quarter 3 2022 were the OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Creative iMedia and Pearsons BTEC Level1/Level 2 First Award in Sport, which also had the highest number of certificates in quarter 3 2021. In quarter 3 2022, QAs Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) had the third highest number of certificates.

6. The awarding organisation with the highest number of certificates issued in this quarter was

Pearson, followed by City and Guilds, then OCR. Pearson saw a 33% decrease in the number of certificates compared to quarter 3 2021 (from 614,455 to 408,645). City and Guilds and OCR saw decreases of

View the original news story