Reminder - Level 3 Cambridge Technical (2016) Diploma and Extended Diploma in IT are being defunded from 2024

Dear Colleague

We'd like to remind you about some important information we shared in a previous communication regarding the defunding of Cambridge Technicals.

The Level 3 Cambridge Technical (2016) Diploma (720GLH) and Extended Diploma in IT (1080GLH) qualifications are being defunded from 2024 in England.

Removing funding approval means that any students starting on the qualifications in the table above after 31 July 2024 will not be funded.

Funding will continue for students who have already started on the qualifications in the table above on or before 31 July 2024, until they complete.

The following Level 3 Cambridge Technical IT qualifications will continue to receive funding until July 2025 (final funded new starters in September 2024):

What options are available if I deliver the Level 3 Cambridge Technical (2016) Diploma in IT (720GLH) or the Level 3 Cambridge Technical (2016) Extended Diploma in IT (1080GLH)?

For your students starting in September 2024, we have a number of options available to help create an appropriate programme of study for them including:

1. Combine the Foundation Diploma in IT (540 GLH) alongside another 540GLH Level 3 Cambridge Technical

Some popular combinations include:

or 

2. Study 3 x 360GLH Cambridge Technical qualifications

Students can opt to take three 360GLH Cambridge Technical qualifications, allowing them to study a broader range of subjects in preparation for their next steps. Complementary subjects include:

• Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT (360GLH)/Introductory Diploma in IT (360GLH)
• Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Business (360GLH)
• Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Digital Media (360GLH)

There are no restrictions in subject combinations and students can also take any of our Level 3 Cambridge Technicals alongside any A-Levels and the Extended Project Qualification.

What's available to teach from September 2025?

Our new Cambridge Advanced Nationals in IT (AAQ) will be funded and available for first teach from September 2025*. We have two IT qualifications in our new suite:

• Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National in Data Analytics (AAQ)
• Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National in Application Development (AAQ)

*Subject to DfE approval (expected in Spring 2024)

Keep an eye out for the upcoming launch of our new Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQ) qualifications, in the meantime check out our Post-16 reform pages for more information. 

If you are affected by the defunding of the Level 3 Diploma in IT (720GLH) and Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (1080GLH) qualifications and would like to discuss alternative provisions, please contact our customer support centre on support@ocr.org.uk or 01223 553998