Level 3 and Level 2 Vocational Qualification Reforms - Qualification reforms and defunding guide - August 2026

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by jay

Sets out qualification reforms for England’s post-16 16 to 19 pathways following the post-16 education and skills white paper and the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Explains aims to support positive outcomes, ensure high-quality qualifications responsive to future skills, and provide clear pathway choices from Level 2 to Level 3. Details new Level 3 V Levels and Level 2 Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, their grading, content, assessment windows, and subject groupings. Describes qualification defunding rules and timelines from 2027/28 to 2030/31.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Qualification overviews

Post-16 pathways

Qualification defunding

Defunding timeline

What should I do next?

Pathways

Level 3 and Level 2 Vocational Qualification Reforms Qualification reforms and defunding guide August 2026 Contents 3 Overview | 2 Qualification overviews | | --- | | 7 Post-16 pathways | | 8 Qualification defunding | | 9 Defunding timeline | | 10 What should Ido next? | | 13 Pathways | Level 3 and Level 2 Vocat ional Qualification Reforms 3 Overview Announced following the release of the post-16 education and skills white paper and the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the Department for Education say that the 16 to 19 pathway reforms are based on three key principles: Ensuring that students progress to positive outcomes Qualifications are high quality and adapt to future skills needs Pathways provide clear choices The aim is to offer a clear choice of high-quality pathways to all students entering post-16 education. This impacts pathways from level 2 to 3, introducing viable vocational routes and defunding existing qualifications when an equivalent V Level is introduced. Centres who want to continue to offer the same subject choices will need to move to new qualifications. Level 3 and Level 2 Vocat ional Qualification Reforms Level 3 V Levels GLH DURATION 360 Part of a 2-year mixed study programme GRADING CONTENT A*-E (plus N & U grades) Overall grade based on compensatory assessment and numerical marking. DfE-set learning outcomes Core knowledge and understanding, and work-related purposes Taken in conjunction with other V or A-Levels ASSESSMENT WINDOWS 40% timetabled assessment (e.g. exams) to be taken in May/June 60% non-timetabled assessments (e.g. tests, demonstrations or projects), with one submission window a year 2027/28 Digital Systems & Data Education Accounting & Finance 2028/29 Applied Research & Technology Construction Design Engineering Design Engineering & Manufacturing Health Healthcare & Clinical Technologies Legal Services Leisure, Exercise & Sports Management, Procurement & Supply Chains Marketing & Retail Social Care 2029/30 Agriculture & Land Management Animal Care & Management Protective Services 2030/31 Art & Performing Arts Creative Media & Design Travel & Tourism Subject to consultation 4 Level 3 and Level 2 Vocat ional Qualification Reforms Level 2 Foundation Certificate GLH DURATION 240-300 1-year programme GRADING CONTENT Pass/Merit/Distinction Overall grade based on compensatory assessment DfE-set learning outcomes Part of a ‘Further Study’pathway including enrichment, employability and pastoral (EEP) support, English & Maths resists where applicable ASSESSMENT WINDOWS 40% timetabled assessments with two assessment windows within the year 60% non-timetabled assessments marked by centres with one external moderation window 2027/28 Digital Systems & Data Education 2028/29 Business, Administration & Law Construction & the Built Environment Engineering & Manufacturing Health & Care Services Science Sport, Fitness & Exercise Science 2029/30 Agriculture, Land Management & Animal Care Hair, Beauty & Aesthetics Hospitality & Catering Protective Services 2030/31 Creative Media & Design Performing Arts Travel & Tourism Subject to consultation 5 Level 3 and Level 2 Vocat ional Qualification Reforms Level 2 Occupational Certificate GLH DURATION 540-720 Likely 2-year programme GRADING CONTENT Pass/Merit/Distinction Overall grade based on compensatory assessment DfE-set learning outcomes Part of an ‘Occupational’pathway including employability skills, resilience, confidence, enrichment and English & Maths resists where applicable ASSESSMENT WINDOWS 30% timetabled assessments with one or two assessment windows a year 70% non-timetabled assessments spread over two years, marked by centres with one external moderation window per year 2027/28 Catering & Hospitality Early Years Practitioner 2028/29 Business & Finance Administration Health & Care Services Constru

FAQs

What principles guide the 16 to 19 pathway reforms?

The reforms are based on three principles: ensuring students progress to positive outcomes, providing high-quality qualifications that adapt to future skills needs, and giving clear choices through well-defined pathways.

What are the key features of Level 3 V Levels under the guide?

V Levels are delivered as part of a 2-year mixed study programme with A*-E grading (plus N & U). They include DfE-set learning outcomes and have 40% timetabled assessment and 60% non-timetabled assessment, with one submission window a year.

How does qualification defunding work and when will it be completed?

Defunding removes funding for overlapping large Level 3 qualifications from 2027/28 (with exceptions noted) and removes funding for smaller Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications that duplicate new V Levels or equivalent qualifications as they are introduced. Removal starts in 2027/2028 and completes by 2030/2031.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by jay