The future of post-16 level 2 vocational qualifications in England

The reforms will affect level 2 qualifications taken by 16-19-year-olds and 19+ year-olds funded by the ESFA under the Adult Education Budget.

• The Department for Education (DfE) already reformed A levels and introduced T Levels. They are now in the process of reforming post-16 vocational qualifications at level 3 and below.
• The level 2 and below reform aims to address the complexity and varied quality of the offer and to ensure all qualifications support good outcomes for students. On 18 October 2022, the DfE published their response to the level 2 and below consultation. This confirmed the direction of the reforms, including the qualification groups they will fund in future.
• At level 2, qualifications must either support progression to further study or workbased training at level 3 or lead directly into skilled employment in sectors and occupations where level 2 skills are needed.
• For level 2, the DfE have created 8 purpose groups. All qualifications must be submitted against one of the groups.

GCSEs, English, Maths, and Digital Functional Skills qualifications, Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQ), Higher Project qualifications, Foundation Project qualifications and Performing Arts Graded Examinations.  

The level 2 reform will be rolled out over several years. The first cycle of qualifications are available for first teach September 2025. The DfE will clarify the rest of the reform as part of their response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

First Teach 2025