Post-16 Capital Funding

Funding streams for the FE sector

Over the last few years there have been several funding streams specifically dedicated to improving post-16 education facilities.

Most of these funding streams are currently closed for application and we await further clarification from the new government around their intentions for capital funding for FE establishments and colleges. The following funding streams have been recently available for the FE sector, and we will keep our clients updated on any developments that emerge:

T-Level Capital Fund: available to support providers with 16 to 19 funding contracts. The latest wave 5 made over £100 million to support providers delivering a T-level route for the first time in September 2024. We are awaiting further updates and will keep our clients informed of any new developments.

Post-16 Capacity Fund: supports post-16 education providers to accommodate demographic increases in learners aged 16 to 19. The last funding round closed in November 2022 and made £140 million available to deliver additional capacity from September 2024. Again, we are monitoring announcements will keep our clients informed if any additional funding to assist with capacity becomes available.

Condition Improvement Fund: If you are a college eligible for CIF, we have a strong record of success and would be happy to discuss any bids you might have. For more information, please click here.

FE Reclassification Allocation: £150 million in capital funding made to eligible institutions in April 2023, following the reclassification of the FE sector into the central government sector.

This allocation was provided to assist colleges that had intended to borrow commercially to fund estate condition improvement projects and could no longer do so under the new classification. This was a one-off payment, and it currently remains unclear what regular support colleges, who are not eligible for CIF, will receive.

We understand colleges often have knowledgeable, self-sufficient estates teams and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss what support you may require under these new arrangements. We have over a decade of experience operating under DfE guidance on managing education estates.

For more information on Post-16 capital funding please call 0116 5070130 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.