Recent changes to education policies are starting to impact on the take-up of qualifications.

Ofqual’s annual qualifications market report, which provides information on the number and types of qualifications available for study in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by regulated awarding organisations, outlines a number of factors affecting the development and take-up of qualifications. 

For the year 2013/14 these included:

• School performance measures and performance tables 
• Removal of the January assessment window 
• Funding reforms, school funding and study programmes.

• Just over 16 million certificates were awarded – around 10% fewer than the previous year.
• The number of available qualifications increased to almost 25,000 – around 6% more than in 2012/13. The increase was mainly due to a rise in qualifications designed to meet the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
• Overall market shares are well established and the number of certificates awarded is concentrated in a small number of qualifications. For example, for GCSE, AS and A Level, 90% of certificates were awarded in just one-third of available qualifications. 
• More certificates were awarded in the Preparation for Life and Work sector than any other. This sector accounted for just under one-third of all certificates awarded. Health, Public Services and Care is now the second-largest sector subject area.
• The number of regulated awarding organisations fell to 166 – ten fewer than 2012-13.
• 20 awarding organisations accounted for more than 90% of all certificates awarded during the academic year.