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Details

Ofqual produces the annual Qualification Price Statistics (QPS) report as part of its work in ensuring that qualification prices represent value for money. The QPS supports qualification purchasers typically schools, colleges and training providers in being able to make informed decisions about the prices of their qualifications relative to similar qualifications in the market.

Key findings

In February 2024, the average price of a GQ (GCSEs, AS and A levels) was 60.66 and the average price of a VTQ was 69.39.

Average qualification price rises were generally above consumer price inflation (3.8%) in the year 2023 to 2024. However, price rises were notably below inflation in 2022 to 2023, meaning that they were broadly in-line with or below inflation when considered over a 2-year horizon. This suggests that qualification price movements lagged broader inflation indicators.

The finding that cumulative price inflation over the past 2 years has been broadly in-line with inflation suggests that qualifications likely represent similar value for money to 2 years ago. In this context, it is worth noting that Ofquals perception survey found that public opinion on the value for money of GCSEs, A Levels and Applied Generals has increased slightly.

GQ prices rose by 6.4% between February 2023 and February 2024.

VTQ prices rose by 5.5% between February 2023 and February 2024.