Vocational Reform - The essentials podcast
What do the reforms to vocational and technical qualifications mean for post-16 providers?
Introducing
V Levels
Occupational Certificates and Foundation Certificates
The new standard in vocational assessment
AQA will be developing and delivering all the new 16–19 qualifications being introduced as part of the post-16 reforms in England. This includes new V Level qualifications, Occupational Certificates and Foundation Certificates. The intentions of these qualifications are to make post-16 routes clearer, improve quality and better reflect what employers need. This will mean that, whatever their ambitions, learners will have a clearer set of choices available to them as they decide what to do next. While these qualifications are predominantly intended for learners aged 16–19, the DfE have confirmed adults will be able to take them too.
The first subjects for all three of these new qualifications will be available to learners from September 2027. They include Accounting and Finance, Digital Systems and Data, Catering and Hospitality, and Education and Early Years. Further subjects will be introduced in stages from 2028.
What are V Levels?
V Levels will be a high-quality vocational alternative to A-levels. They’re intended for learners who prefer applied learning but are not ready to focus their studies on a single occupation.
V Levels will:
- simplify a complex vocational landscape
- give learners flexibility to combine academic and vocational study
- make future pathways clearer for learners, including progression to higher education or training, apprenticeships or skilled employment
- be the same size as one A-level
- replace current vocational qualifications like BTECs.
How are V Levels different from existing qualifications?
While A-levels are academic and classroom based, V Levels are vocational qualifications and are more applied. They might include practical tasks, projects, workplace experience or assessments based on real-world scenarios.
Unlike T Levels, V Levels don’t focus on a single occupation and don’t require long industry placements. They allow learners to combine vocational and academic study to keep their options open for whatever they want to do next. Learners might choose to do only V Levels, or a mix of V Levels and A-levels.
What are Occupational Certificates?
Occupational Certificates will be two-year, Level 2 qualifications, designed for learners who want to prepare for a particular occupation and progress into skilled employment or an apprenticeship. They will be taken as part of an ‘occupational pathway’ which will also include employability, enrichment and pastoral support – for example, teamwork and communication skills – to help learners prepare for adult life, in society and the workplace.
What are Foundation Certificates?
Foundation Certificates will be one-year, Level 2 qualifications, designed for learners who want to pursue further study at Level 3 (including V Levels, A-levels or T Levels) but are not yet ready for a Level 3 course. They will be taken as part of a ‘further study pathway’ which will also include employability, enrichment and pastoral support.
Which subjects are available when?
The new qualifications will be available in four phases, starting in September 2027.
- Phase 2 - September 2028
- Phase 3 - September 2029
- Phase 4 - September 2030
Note: The information in this table, particularly for phases 3 and 4, is indicative.
See the Department for Education Post-16 pathways: implementation plan for further information.
Featured resources
New Vocational Qualifications at a Glance
A quick reference guide to the new 16-19 vocational qualifications being introduced from September 2027 onwards. Explore qualification types, progression pathways and subject rollout plans to help you understand what’s changing and when.
Vocational Qualification Reforms and Defunding Guide
Understand the wider reforms to 16-19 vocational qualifications, including funding changes, qualification timelines and key considerations for curriculum planning. Designed to help centres prepare for a smooth transition to the new qualification landscape.
Why choose AQA?
AQA is the UK’s largest exam board and an education charity with over 120 years of experience in designing and delivering high-quality assessments. Our V Levels will be developed in collaboration with Training Qualifications UK (TQUK), part of the AQA Group, ensuring strong links to technical and vocational education, and close engagement with colleges and other vocational providers.
The AQA Group stands ready to work with colleges and other post-16 providers to bring these new qualifications to life, making sure they are engaging, rigorous, accessible and meet the needs of learners and employers. We recognise the challenges that providers will face over the coming years. We want to support providers working with us to make the shift to the new qualifications as straightforward as possible, so providers can focus on teaching, engaging and advising their learners to make the most of the new opportunities.
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Issued each year for GCSEs, A-levels and related awards
240+
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What happens next?
What happens next?
The Department for Education has just finished consulting on the subject content for the first phase of the new vocational qualifications and will be confirming the details soon.
If you have any questions, or want to find out more, please email us on vlevels@aqa.org.uk
These qualifications will draw on the best of AQA Group – the assessment expertise and resources of AQA and the dynamic and responsive vocational knowledge of TQUK. AQA’s commitment to quality is absolute: we want our V Levels and Level 2 Certificates to be the best available, and we invite colleges, other providers and employers to work with us to help make sure that we collectively seize the great opportunity ahead.”
Colin Hughes - Chief Executive Officer AQA
Vocational Reform - The essentials podcast
What do the reforms to vocational and technical qualifications mean for post-16 providers?
Hosted by Anna Trethewey, Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer at AQA, this special episode features Steve Walker, Assurance Manager at AQA, and Chris Tubbrit, Product Director at TQUK, as they unpack what some are describing as the biggest reforms in vocational qualifications in a generation.
The discussion explores why the changes are happening, the key features of the new V Levels and reformed Level 2 Foundation and Occupational Certificates, and how leaders can prepare now for the changes ahead while keeping learner progression at the forefront.
FAQs
- What are V Levels?
V Levels are new Level 3 vocational qualifications being introduced in England from September 2027 as part of wider post-16 education reforms. They will sit alongside A-Levels and T Levels, creating clear routes for young people after GCSEs.
V Levels are designed for learners who want a broad vocational education that combines practical, applied learning with flexibility. Unlike T Levels, they do not require a substantial industry placement. V Levels focus on a single sector, but not to the subject depth and detail of a T Level. V Levels will be equivalent in size to one A-Level, meaning learners can study a combination of V Levels and A-Levels as part of a personalised, mixed programme of study.- How are V Levels different from A-Levels and T Levels?
The three qualifications are designed for different purposes:
- A-Levels are subject-based academic qualifications and have 360 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
- T Levels are technical qualifications with a specific occupational route and include a substantial industry placement. They have 1080 GLH.
- V Levels are broad vocational qualifications focused on applied learning across a sector and have 360 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
V Levels provide an option for learners who want to keep their progression choices open while gaining practical skills and vocational knowledge. They can be studied alongside A-Levels, creating a flexible programme tailored to individual goals.
- Will V Levels replace BTECs and other vocational qualifications?
Many existing level 3 vocational qualifications will have funding withdrawn as new V Levels are introduced in their subject area.
The government's intention is to create a clearer and simpler qualifications landscape, with V Levels becoming the main broad vocational option at Level 3 alongside A-Levels and T Levels.
However, some specialist qualifications may continue, and adults may still have access to qualifications that are no longer funded for 16-19 learners. For further information, please refer to the Department for Educations Implementation Plan.
- When will V Levels be available?
The first V Levels are planned for teaching from September 2027.
The first three V Levels will be:
- Digital Systems and Data
- Education
- Accounting and Finance
Additional subjects will be introduced in phases over subsequent years as the reforms are rolled out.
- Can students combine V Levels with A-Levels?
Yes. One of the key benefits of V Levels is flexibility.
Because each V Level is designed to be the same size as an A-Level, learners can combine academic and vocational study to create a programme that matches their interests, strengths and future ambitions.
This may be particularly attractive for learners who want to keep both higher education and employment options open.
- What can students do after completing a V Level?
V Levels are being designed to support progression to:
- Higher education
- Higher-level vocational study
- Apprenticeships
- Skilled employment
The qualifications are intended to provide a recognised and trusted route for learners who want vocational learning without specialising in an occupational area as much as learners who do T Levels. Further government guidance on progression pathways is expected as implementation progresses.
- What are Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates?
Alongside V Levels, two new Level 2 qualification types are being introduced:
Foundation Certificates
These qualifications support learners who want to progress to Level 3 study, but who may not be at a stage to start a level 3 course immediately . They provide broad vocational learning and are typically completed in one year.
Occupational Certificates
These qualifications are designed for learners who want to move towards employment or an apprenticeship. They form part of a broader occupational pathway and focus on developing work-ready knowledge and skills.
Together, these qualifications are intended to create clearer progression routes for learners after GCSEs.
- Why is the government reforming post-16 qualifications?
The reforms aim to simplify what has become a complex vocational qualifications landscape.
The government's objective is to create a clearer system where students, parents, employers, colleges and universities can more easily understand the purpose and value of different qualifications.
The future qualifications landscape is expected to centre on A-Levels, T Levels, V Levels and apprenticeships, supported by Level 2 qualifications that provide important foundations and progression opportunities for learners who are not yet ready to move directly to Level 3 study.
The reforms are intended to improve consistency, quality and progression opportunities for learners.
- What should schools and colleges be doing now to prepare?
Providers can begin preparing now by reviewing published subject content, evaluating their current curriculum offer and considering how V Levels may complement existing programmes. They should also identify any qualifications that will lose funding from August 2027 onwards and start planning for the transition to the new qualifications landscape.
Qualification specifications, assessment arrangements and regulatory decisions will continue to emerge throughout Autumn 2026 and beyond, so providers should keep their plans under review as further details become available.
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