Post updated December 16th 2024.

Level 3 Reform and the Outcomes of the Government’s Rapid Review

This update is specific to England only and does not affect centres in the rest of the UK or overseas.

Last week we received information on the outcomes of the rapid review, which was instigated by the new government in response to the planned reform of Level 3 qualifications.

The review has given us greater assurance that our current portfolio of vocational qualifications should continue to be funded into 2027. Further to that it also means that some of our qualifications which were still subject to the defunding process are now also included in the funded offer for next year and beyond.

Alongside the current offer continuing to be funded, we are also expecting there will be an opportunity to submit our new portfolio of Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) during 2025, with an update on next steps from Department for Education expected in Spring 2025.

The following qualifications which were subject to the defunding process will now remain funded;

• 60353971 – RSL Level 3 Diploma in the Creative Music Industry
• 60353958 – RSL Level 3 Extended Certificate in the Creative Music Industry
• 60353983 – RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma in the Creative Music Industry
• 6035396X – RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in the Creative Music Industry

• 60176933 – RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma for Music Practitioners
• 6017691X – RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners

• 60343011 – RSL Level 3 Award in Creative Digital Media
• 60342997 – RSL Level 3 Certificate in Creative Digital Media
• 6034300X – RSL Level 3 Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media
• 60343023 – RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Creative Digital Media
• 60343035 – RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Digital Media
• 60343047 – RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media

• 60363356 – RSL level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Creative Industries Practitioners
• 60363423 – RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma for Creative Industries Practitioners

Our AAQs which we are preparing to submit to the DfE in 2025 are as follows:

Single AAQs (360 hours) in:

• Performing Arts
• Music
• Music Production & Technology
• Media
• Production Arts
• Art and Design

Triple AAQs (1080 hours) in:

• Performing Arts
• Music
• Music Production & Technology
• Production Arts
• Art, Design and Digital Practice

AAQs will look different in terms of structure from our current Vocational Qualification specifications; however, RSL is determined to maintain our ethos of designing relevant and accessible qualifications for the creative industries. We will demonstrate how your current provision can map over into the new structure, and we will support centres in that transition.

If you have any questions about this or would like to discuss any of our existing or new qualifications with us please contact business@rslawards.com