Qualification Achievement Rates 2024/25 R10 update

Introduction

Following the publication of new simplified guidance on 18 June 2025, the QAR 2024/25 R10 data was released to the view your education data service on 16 July 2025. 

Thank you for all the feedback and comments on the dataset so far, your input is vital to ensure methodology is being applied correctly to all providers and to spot any unintentional issues. 

As previously mentioned, we have been making some changes behind the scenes to strengthen the Department for Education data infrastructure which required a complete rebuild of the QAR data model. It was our intention the entire dataset was rebuilt for R10 and this was achieved except for the areas outlined in guidance and post-release DfE update. In addition to this rebuild, we have also made some changes to the way Education and Training data is calculated. 

This article aims to provide clarification in response to some of the main enquiries. The following is feedback that has been received so far.

Migration to a new data infrastructure

Due to migration to a new data infrastructure we have not yet been able to include historical data for apprenticeships in your extracts for R10, but this will be available in future releases. We can confirm, however, that the apprenticeship data for your current year QAR includes all learners anticipated and is accurate – this historical data issue simply refers to the downloadable extracts that you can source from VYED, which is missing previous year data. 

Tailored Learning and Community Learning aims

Tailored Learning and Community Learning aims are now included in Education and Training QAR calculations. Similar to the apprenticeships issue above, we have not been able to include historic Community Learning aims in the dataset yet. Historic Community Learning aims, including a recalculation of previous year Education and Training QARs, will be implemented in the future release to ensure a comparable dataset.

Issues with file extensions 

We are aware that some providers are having issues with the file extension of the downloadable extracts. This is being investigated.

Breaks in Learning (BIL)/continuation of break

Breaks in Learning (BIL) / continuation of break: the updated terminology in the QAR guidance more accurately describes how these records have always been treated. As long as you have returned a BIL by R14 every QAR year then the aim will not become overdue. If a learner is repeatedly returned as BIL for a long period, however, there will likely be some checks by DfE to ensure accurate reporting.  

Additional information

Please also note that in the post provisional R14 checks we identified an issue in linking data returned on pre-merger and post-merger UKPRNs. When corrected a small number of colleges saw a slightly different figure published in the national achievement rates table (NARTs) official statistics release on 27 March 2025. It was not possible to replicate this for the R10 release of the QAR data. 

We aim to address issues raised with us ready for your R12 release in early September. 

Need support?

If you have questions related to your specific learner data, please continue to raise them via the Customer Help Portal using the “data and MI” option. Please remember to include ULNs when doing this.