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FE College Condition Allocation · UK-Wide

Received Your FE College Condition Allocation? Let's Talk About Your Network Infrastructure

DMS delivers free infrastructure assessments and fully managed network upgrades for FE colleges across the UK — covering structured cabling, switching and Wi-Fi.

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“Friendly and professional service. They listen to what you would like to do and are always happy to help.”

— Keith Tomlinson, Network Manager · The Derby High School

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How It works

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We respond within one working day. No obligation — just a clear picture of what your allocation could fund.

Running a multi-site college or group? We can discuss a co-ordinated approach across multiple campuses — just let us know.

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Fill in your details and we’ll call you back within one working day. We’ll ask a few questions about your college’s network infrastructure and what isn’t working — and take it from there.

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Current condition allocation
£ 150 M
Capital funded — no revenue budget impact
50 %
FE colleges eligible in England
157 +

March 28

Spend deadline

About the scheme

What Is the FE College Condition Allocation?

The FE College Condition Allocation is a £302 million capital funding programme from the Department for Education (DfE), available to all further education colleges and designated institutions in England. Funding is released annually and continues until 2030.

Critically, network infrastructure is explicitly eligible spend. The DfE guidance confirms that funding can be used for IT infrastructure in poor condition, includingCritically, network infrastructure is explicitly eligible spend. The DfE guidance confirms that funding can be used for IT infrastructure in poor condition, including:

  • Structured cabling (replacing existing cables and trunking)
  • Data outlets
  • Network switching (active infrastructure)
  • Wi-Fi access points and associated components

This makes the FE Condition Allocation a direct funding route for colleges looking to upgrade ageing or underperforming network infrastructure — without drawing on revenue budgets.

Note: The allocation cannot be used for IT equipment (laptops, desktops), software, annual licences, cyber security measures or server replacement. Network infrastructure is the key eligible IT category.

Find out more about DMS networking solutions →

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Is Your College Eligible?

Institutions not eligible under this allocation

  • Standalone sixth form colleges — these receive separate Devolved Formula Capital funding
  • Independent training providers
  • Higher education institutions
  • Colleges that do not own their estate by freehold or long-term lease

ℹ Unsure of your allocation amount? The full list is published as a spreadsheet on GOV.UK under “Further education college condition allocation: 2025 to 2026.” Contact your DfE relationship manager if you have not received your grant agreement letter.

The process

How the FE Condition Allocation Works With DMS

DMS takes you from initial conversation through to completed, signed-off network infrastructure installation.

1

Initial Consultation

We start with a short call to understand your college’s current network infrastructure, what your allocation is, and what you’re trying to achieve. No obligation — just a clear picture of whether and how DMS can help.

2

Infrastructure Assessment

We work with your IT and estates team to assess your existing network infrastructure — cabling, switching and Wi-Fi — producing a detailed report on what needs replacing or upgrading, scoped to your available allocation. A site visit can be arranged if needed.

3

Quotation & Procurement

We produce an itemised quote and infrastructure report ready to support your estates strategy and procurement process. DMS is listed on the Everything ICT and Pagabo procurement frameworks, helping your college satisfy procurement rules and demonstrate value for money.

4

Managed installation

Our engineers deliver the full installation — structured cabling, switching and Wi-Fi — with minimal disruption to teaching. All work is tested, documented and signed off on completion.

Running a multi-campus college or group?
DMS can co-ordinate assessments and infrastructure reports across multiple sites — saving your estates and IT teams time and ensuring a consistent approach across the group.

Why DMS

Network Infrastructure for FE Colleges — It's What We Do

DMS is an IT managed services and infrastructure company with over 20 years of experience delivering network infrastructure projects in education settings across the UK. View all DMS services ->

Network infrastructure depth

DMS has delivered network infrastructure projects across schools, colleges and multi-site education groups — structured cabling, switching, Wi-Fi and beyond. We know how to specify, install and sign off to professional standards.

Education-first

DMS specialises in the education sector. We understand the operational pressures of FE environments, term-time constraints and the need to work around timetables and examinations.

End-to-end service

From initial call to completed installation — one team, no separate contractors, no co-ordination overhead for your college's estates or IT staff.

UK-wide coverage

Infrastructure assessments and installations available to eligible colleges nationwide. Wherever your college is located, we can arrange a visit at a time that suits you.

Get in touch and we'll talk through what your allocation could fund.

Sounds like a good fit?

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Common questions

FE Condition Allocation FAQs

Individual allocation amounts are confirmed by the DfE each April and published as a spreadsheet on GOV.UK. If you have not received your grant agreement letter, contact your DfE relationship manager

Yes. The DfE’s own spend guidance explicitly confirms that IT infrastructure in poor condition is eligible, covering the replacement of cabling, data outlets, trunking, switching and Wi-Fi access points. This is confirmed in the DfE’s published spend guidance and applies to infrastructure in poor condition. New infrastructure installed as part of a condition improvement project also qualifies. IT equipment such as laptops, desktops and servers is not eligible.

The DfE explicitly excludes IT equipment (laptops, desktops, tablets), annual software licences, cyber security measures, server replacement, land purchase and building expansion. Revenue costs including staffing, consultancy and recoverable VAT are also ineligible. Funding must be used for capital expenditure on assets owned by the college by freehold or long-term lease.

Condition allocation funding must be spent within three years of the allocation date. The DfE encourages colleges to plan and deliver condition improvement works as early as possible within the spend window. Unspent funding is subject to clawback. Annual condition funding is expected to continue until 2030, so colleges not yet in a position to complete a full upgrade should still plan ahead for future allocation years.

The DfE strongly encourages colleges to use approved procurement frameworks to assure value for money and comply with procurement law. DMS is listed on the Everything ICT and Pagabo frameworks — we can advise on the most appropriate route for your college.

Yes. DMS can co-ordinate free infrastructure assessments across multiple campuses, producing separate reports and quotes for each site. This is particularly useful for merged colleges or multi-site groups managing a consolidated condition allocation.

Yes — and that is often the most effective approach. Replacing ageing cabling while simultaneously upgrading switches and access points delivers a coherent, future-proofed network rather than piecemeal improvements. DMS can assess your full estate and specify an integrated upgrade scoped to your allocation.

DMS will scope work to match your available allocation. Where a full refresh isn’t possible in one phase, we can prioritise the highest-impact areas — typically the buildings or areas with the most critical condition issues — and plan a phased approach for subsequent allocation years. Annual condition funding is expected to continue until 2030.

Get Started

Your Spend Deadline Is 31 March 2028. Let's Make a Start.

Your 2025–26 condition allocation is confirmed. The spend deadline is 31 March 2028. Request a callback now — we’ll give you a clear picture of what your allocation could fund.

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