16-19 Learning and Skills Funding

The Department for Education (DFE) funds learning for 16-19 year olds via further education colleges and institutions. The programmes and funding available for this age range are outlined below: 

Study programmes

Study programmes are flexible and are designed so providers can adapt the study programme to the needs of the learner. They are generally full-time and fully funded college-based programmes consisting of substantial technical and/or vocational qualifications, work experience, maths and English (where required) and other non-qualification activities to help the learner develop. For example, for some learners work experience may be the primary aim of the study programme and their programme could be adapted accordingly.

Study programmes are fully funded for the following learners:

• 16–19-year-old learners
• Students aged 19-24 with an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• 14–16-year-olds directly involved in eligible FE institutions
• Home educated learners at compulsory school age at an FE college

Each student programme is funded according to the:

• age of the learner
• needs of the learner
• size of the annual programme based on hours of learning delivery,

The above is demonstrated in the diagram below alongside the annual funding rate per learner for 2026/27 academic year:

T Level study programmes

T Levels study programmes differ from the standard 16-19 study programme, as many of the components such as work experience are built into the qualification itself. Funding for T Levels differs in the following ways: 

• For the work placement, providers receive a flat rate of £550 per student, the placement hours are not counted towards the minimum hours in the band
• There are additional funding bands to compensate for the size of T Levels. This includes uplifted rates, which provide a 5% bonus for T Levels introduced from 22/23. The uplift is to provide support with the higher delivery costs associated with early rollout and programme growth
• The DFE does not fund T Levels at a higher band than the one set for the learners occupational specialism
• The funding is consistent across 18-year-old learners

The T Levels funding bands are displayed on a 2-year basis for 2026/27 academic year, see the table below:

The future 16-19 landscape

A new chapter for post‑16 education is emerging as the government undertakes a major reform of the qualifications system. The post-16 education and skills white paper lays out plans to make choices clearer and more flexible with a mix of academic, technical and vocational programme options after GCSEs. The reforms also aim to strengthen pathways and better align learning with national skills needs.

At the heart of these changes is the introduction of V Levels, replacing around 900 existing vocational qualifications to create a clearer, more coherent offer for young people, alongside streamlined level 2 routes. This shift is driven by the urgent need to tackle critical skills shortages while improving progression, boosting attainment, and building a more responsive skills pipeline that directly supports economic growth.

Please view our reforms page for more information

Apprenticeships for 16-19 year olds

Apprenticeships are open to learners aged 16+ with a different funding model than the standard 16-19 model shown above. You can find more information about apprenticeship funding on our website using the link below 

Find out more about Apprenticeship funding