All of OCR’s Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals have been approved for funding by the Department for Education (DfE). OCR’s new qualifications – known as ‘Alternative Academic Qualifications’ (AAQs) – satisfied the DfE’s rigorous review process and add to OCR’s wide range of options for post-16 students.

The newly approved qualifications cover six subjects in two sizes – Certificate and Extended Certificate, equivalent in size to AS and A Levels respectively – and OCR is now the only awarding organisation offering both sizes across all cycle 1 qualifications.

AAQs are being introduced as part of a reform of post-16 education and the newly approved first cycle are due to be taught from 2025. They will provide vocational qualifications complementing A Levels, as part of a mixed curriculum.

The proposed reforms and timeframes for AAQs are subject to review by this or any future government. OCR's current post-16 vocational qualifications, the Cambridge Technicals, continue to be available, and ensure continuity in the event that these reforms are altered.

OCR's Chief Executive Jill Duffy said: "The Cambridge Advanced Nationals had to satisfy a rigorous review process, and OCR's solid expertise in vocational qualifications made it possible for all of our qualifications to be approved.

“Our new Cambridge Advanced Nationals are part of our extensive portfolio of carefully designed qualifications, offering a trusted option for students in both academic and vocational subjects.”

OCR has developed the Cambridge Advanced Nationals with the goal of incorporating a blend of examination and coursework and to support a mixed programme of vocational and academic study in addition to A Levels. The twelve new qualifications cover Certificates and Extended Certificates in six subjects:

• Applied Science
• Computing Application Development
• Engineering
• Health & Social Care
• Human Biology
• IT Data Analytics

The new AAQs are due to be introduced in two cycles. Cycle 2 qualifications are due to be submitted in June 2024 for first teach in September 2026, and OCR is now finalising its submission to build on this success.

Find out more about OCR's Alternative Academic Qualifications.