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Post‑16 qualification reforms

Supporting providers through the qualification reforms in England

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What you need to know about qualification reforms

You will find key policy updates, guidance on qualification changes, new products in development, and upcoming events to help you navigate the future of the vocational and technical education landscape with confidence.

An overview of the new post‑16 landscape

A new chapter for post‑16 education is emerging as the government undertakes a major reform of the qualifications system. The post-16 education and skills white paper lays out plans to make choices clearer and more flexible with a mix of academic, technical and vocational programme options after GCSEs.

These reforms are driven by the urgent need to tackle critical skills shortages while improving progression and building a more responsive skills pipeline that directly supports national skills needs.

 

Qualification pathways in the reformed landscape

The reformed post-16 system introduces new pathways at level 2 and a new vocational route at level 3, helping learners progress into further study, apprenticeships and employment, with first teaching from September 2027.

Level 2: Two new pathways

Two new level 2 qualifications are being introduced to support learners with different progression goals.

  • Foundation Certificates: – Supporting progression into level 3 study.
  • Occupational Certificates: – Preparing learners for a specific occupation or apprenticeship.

Level 3: Three pathways, including the new vocational V Level

At level 3, three pathways sit alongside one another, giving equal prominence to academic, technical and vocational routes:

  • A Levels: Academic route
  • T Levels: Technical route
  • V Levels: Vocational route

Other existing level 2 and 3 post-16 qualifications are set to be defunded as the post-16 reforms continue.


What qualifications will City & Guilds be delivering in 2027 as part of post-16 reforms? 

The first qualifications planned for delivery from 2027 will be available in: 

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Occupational Certificate 
  • Level 2 Hospitality & Catering Occupational Certificates 
  • Level 2 Digital Systems and Data Foundation Certificate 
  • Level 3 Digital Systems and Data V Level 

We recently hosted dedicated webinars for each subject area to help providers understand the new qualifications. You can catch up below.

 

 Post-16 qualification reforms in early years: An overview of the Occupational Certificate

Watch the recording

Post-16 qualification reforms in hospitality & catering: An overview of the Occupational Certificates

Watch the recording

Post-16 qualification reforms in digital: An overview of the Foundation Certificate and V Level

Watch the recording

Learn more about V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates

Watch the short videos below to learn more about each qualification type and how they could support progression opportunities for your learners. 

V Levels: New level 3 vocational qualifications 

Focused on applied, work-related learning, V Levels are aimed at learners who want to explore a broad vocational area. Each V Level is the size of one A Level and can be combined with other qualifications to build a study programme that reflects their interests. 

Size: 360 guided learning hours (GLH)
Duration: Two years
First subjects (from 2027): Digital systems & data; education; finance & accounting.*
Progression routes: Higher education, higher technical education, apprenticeships and employment.


 

Foundation Certificates: Preparation for Level 3 study

Level 2 qualifications designed to help learners build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress to level 3 study. They provide a broad introduction to a vocational area and support progression to qualifications including V Levels and T Levels.  

Size: Typically 240-300 GLH
Duration: One year
First subjects (from 2027): Digital systems and data; education.*
Progression routes: V Levels, A Levels, T Levels.

 

 



 


Occupational Certificates: Preparation for work and apprenticeships

These level 2 qualifications are designed to build practical, job-related skills. They signal that a learner is ready to progress into employment or an apprenticeship but needs further training to become occupationally competent. 

Size: Typically 540-720 GLH
Duration: Two years
First subjects (from 2027): Catering & hospitality; education & early years.
Progression routes: Level 2 employment and apprenticeships.

*Further subjects will be phased in from 2028 to 2030 as part of the 16-19 reforms.

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Key dates and timelines

September 2026:

  • Example progression pathways for 2027 V Levels published
  • Further qualification details expected to become available

December 2026

  • Content consultation for 2028 V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates closes
  • Additional V Levels introduced
  • T Levels refined and expanded

Early 2027

  • Subject content for 2028 V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates due to be published
  • Final list of 2028 V Level, Foundation Certificate and Occupational Certificate subjects and subject titles confirmed
  • 2029 V Level, Foundation Certificate, Occupational Certificate and T Level subjects confirmed
  • Publication of the list of qualifications due to have funding approval removed from 1 August 2028

Spring 2027:

  • Qualification materials become available for 2027 V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.

July 2027:

  • Funding for large legacy qualifications removed in existing T Level subject areas (apart from Health and Social Care).
  • Funding for legacy qualifications in Education & Early years (levels 2 and 3), Digital (level 3) and Accounting & Finance (level 3) is removed.
  • Strategic Transition Planning Statements for 2027 teaching due.

September 2027:

  • First V Levels launched: Digital systems & data, Education, Finance & Accounting.
  • First Occupational Certificates launched: Catering & Hospitality and Education & Early Years.
  • First Foundation Certificates launched: Digital systems & data and Education & Early Years

2028

  • Additional V Levels introduced
  • T Levels refined and expanded

2029

  • Additional V Levels introduced
  • T Levels refined and expanded

2030

  • Additional V Levels introduced
  • T Levels refined and expanded

View timeline for new subjects

Support for providers

City & Guilds is here to help you navigate the transition with confidence. We provide practical, up‑to‑date support so you can plan, prepare and deliver high‑quality programmes such as V Levels and the new level 2 pathways as part of the roll-out of post-16 reforms.

Whether you're planning for 2027 or shaping your long‑term strategy, we’re ready to support you at every step.

Our support includes:

    Sector‑specific curriculum guides to help you shape coherent programmes.

    Customer briefings with the latest policy, funding and implementation updates.

    Regular insights straight to your inbox, keeping you informed as timelines and subject details evolve.

    Live webinars and events to unpack reforms and share best practice.

    One‑to‑one consultations to support curriculum design, progression planning and readiness for first teaching of V Levels.

Can students combine V Levels with A Levels?

Yes. Each V Level is the size of one A Level, enabling personalised mixed programmes.

How are V Levels different from T Levels?

T Levels are large (equivalent to three A Levels) with a mandatory industry placement; V Levels are smaller vocational options that can be combined with A-Levels.

When do V Levels start and what are the first subjects?

First teach is September 2027, in Digital; Education & Early Years; Finance & Accounting.

What’s changing at level 2?

Two new pathways are being introduced: the Further study pathway (Foundation Certificate) and the Occupational pathways (Occupational Certificate).

Where can I find funding decisions?

See the DfE list of qualifications with funding removal from August 2027.

Can learners study more than one V Level in the same subject area?

In a small number of exceptional cases, learners may be able to study two "partnered" V Levels within the same subject area. This would work in a similar way to A Level Maths and Further Maths. Together, the two partnered V Levels would make up a 720 guided learning hour programme. 

Partnered V Levels will only be considered where they support progression to further study, maintain broad vocational learning, provide a distinct alternative to T Levels, and do not create a large study programme that competes with T Levels. The government expects partnering to be rare, and none of the V Levels planned for first teaching in 2027 met the criteria.  

Rules of combination

The DfE is not planning to implement rules of combination on which qualifications can be combined to form the qualification element of a study programme. 

This will allow providers to combine new V Levels launching in September 2027 with existing funded qualifications, such as: 

  • A Levels 
  • alternative academic qualifications 
  • applied generals 
  • tech levels 
  • extended project qualifications 
  • English and maths qualifications for students required to study these subjects under the maths and English condition of funding 

This will allow providers to enable more students to benefit from new V Level subjects and ensure that students’ study programmes enable them to progress. 

Where students want to take a large programme within a route, they should take a T Level rather than combining multiple qualifications, which will better support their progression. 

Discounting may still apply depending on the content of V Levels, as some sector areas may include V Levels that will cover similar content. 

Will V Levels carry UCAS tariff points?

Yes. UCAS has confirmed that V Levels will attract UCAS tariff points, supporting progression to higher education. Tariff points for V Levels will be available across grades A* to E and will be aligned with those awarded for A Levels. 

View the tariff points for V Levels

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