Post‑16 qualification reforms (in England) banner

Post‑16 qualification reforms

Supporting sixth forms and school-based providers through qualification reforms

Sign up for updates

A new vocational system needs a vocational education specialist

City & Guilds is a global skills organisation, working with schools, colleges, training providers and employers to support high‑quality vocational education. We focus on skills that open doors to further study, apprenticeships and employment. 

With deep expertise in employer-led qualification design, assessment and system change, we support sixth forms to navigate reform with confidence. We help you understand what’s changing, make informed curriculum decisions and deliver in the classroom achieve the best outcomes for learners.

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 reforms: 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
Book a session

Tailored session with a vocational skills expert

Book a session with one of our vocational skills experts to discuss your organisation's priorities and prepare for the future of post-16 education.


As providers begin planning for the 2027/28 academic year, now is the time to explore how the emerging qualification landscape could shape your curriculum offer, learner pathways, and future provision.

Whether you're exploring the new V Level or Foundation Certificate in Digital Systems and Data, preparing for Hospitality & Catering Occupational Certificates, or planning for the introduction of the Early Years Occupational Certificate, making informed decisions today can help you build a strong curriculum offer for the future.

Post-16 curriculum planning cover-image

What to expect from your session

Our free support sessions provide tailored guidance from our vocational skills experts. In your tailored session, we can help you to:

    Understand how V Levels could complement or replace your Applied Generals offer

    Explore the role of Occupational and Foundation Certificates within broader learner progression pathways

    Review current vocational provision and identify opportunities for future development

    Gain tailored advice and practical guidance based on your curriculum goals and priorities

Book a session

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: Vocational qualifications with flexible progression

V Levels are level 3 qualifications designed for learners who want to explore a broad career area before specialising. Equivalent in size to one A Level (360 GLH) and typically studied over two years, they can be combined with A Levels and other V Levels to create a flexible study programme. 

Foundation Certificates: Preparation for level 3 study

Foundation Certificates are one-year vocational qualifications designed to help learners build confidence, develop core skills and prepare for Level 3 study. Typically sized at 240 to 300 GLH, they provide a broad introduction to a vocational area and support progression to V Levels, A Levels and T Levels.

Occupational Certificates: Preparation for work and apprenticeships

Occupational Certificates are Level 2 vocational qualifications designed to help learners develop practical, job-related skills and prepare for employment or an apprenticeship. Typically sized at 540 to 720 GLH and studied over two years, they support progression into Level 2 employment and apprenticeships while providing a foundation for further occupational training.

Stay informed on qualification reforms

Sign up for updates to receive information on events, timelines, guidance and be the first to hear about new developments.

Sign up for updates




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

Why work with City & Guilds?

Sixth forms need clarity and confidence as post-16 qualifications reforms evolve. City & Guilds brings long-standing expertise in skills-based education, delivering qualifications that prove what learners can do and open pathways to further study, apprenticeships and employment.

Places for people logo

We focus on learner outcomes

65% of learners studying City & Guilds qualifications progress into employment within six months, compared to 56% of learners studying with other providers.

Places for people logo

Deep employer partnerships

We work with 147 industry partners across sectors to ensure our qualifications stay current, credible and valued in the labour market.

Places for people logo

Built from 1878. Built for the future

Almost 150 years of experience designing vocational qualifications, technical assessments, and employer-informed competency frameworks.

People

From dedicated business managers and customer support for day-to-day queries, to technical sector experts, digital support managers and more, our teams are on hand to help you at every stage of delivery.

Networking and events

Regular webinars, sector-specific events and CPD sessions support your post-16 reform journey, providing timely policy, funding and implementation updates alongside practical guidance and best practice.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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

Latest updates in qualification reforms

Get in touch

Sign up for updates to receive product release information and event details, timelines and implementation guidance.

Stay in touch