We understand how important the updates and information around the Level 2 reform is to you, and we want to reassure you that we are committed to supporting you and your learners with the latest information and what it means for the delivery of Pearson qualifications.
The government’s Post16 Education and Skills White Paper, published on 20 October 2025, set out significant changes to vocational education in England. A key part of these reforms is the introduction of :
Occupational Certificates (Occupational pathway) are for students who want to study for a particular occupation and need to develop their skills in a classroom-based setting, with the aim of progressing into employment in relevant level 2 roles.
Foundation Certificates (Further Study pathway) are for students who want to pursue further level 3 study, whether on T Levels, V Levels or A levels, but did not meet the entry requirement to progress directly, usually because they did not achieve five grade 4s at GCSE, including English and maths, at age 16. They therefore require more time to develop their knowledge and skills before moving up to the next level.
We’re here to guide and support you through these changes, and to help you plan confidently for the future.
Our commitment to you
Our top priority right now is to keep you informed and support you through this period of change. We’ll keep you updated on funding implications by updating our funding guides and future communications about the outcomes from the Curriculum and Assessment Review
In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please contact us through the Pearson support portal
Thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we'll ensure your learners continue to receive the excellent vocational education they deserve.
Following the outcomes of the review of Post 16 qualification reform announcement on 12 December 2024, the funding remains for our current post-16 Level 2 qualifications and our NEW BTEC Level 2 Technical qualifications see page 15.
| NEW qualifications | Funded from |
Existing qualifications | Funded until | ||
| 610/4251/1 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Early Years Practitioners (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/0509/5 | BTEC Level 2 Technical in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Practitioner) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4255/9 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Gym Instructors (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6135/9 |
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Instructing Exercise in a Gym Environment) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4253/5 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Recreation Assistants (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6137/2 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Sport and Active Leisure Recreation Assistant) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4254/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry in Leading Community Activity (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6134/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Leading Children's Sports Activities | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4252/3 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Lean Manufacturing Operatives (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
This qualification forms part of our brand new BTEC Technical offer for full-time 16-19 and adult students. |
The rest of the BTEC First, Skills, Industry Skills, and Technical Certificate qualifications will still be available for delivery in academic year 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Who will be affected by these reforms?
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.
What are the policy changes in brief?
What qualifications are out of scope?
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.
You can continue to teach Level 2 BTEC Firsts, BTEC Skills, BTEC Industry Skills and BTEC Technical Certificate qualifications. We will withdraw current qualifications as funding is removed and new ones become approved by DfE / IfATE. The withdrawal process will take place over several years, in line with the submission and approval cycles.
Currently, Level 2 BTEC qualifications will remain funded and available for academic years 2025/26 and 2026/27 [some subjects to 2027/28], except for the following, which are replaced by the new BTEC Technical qualifications:
BTEC Level 2 Technical in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Practitioner)
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Instructing Exercise in a Gym Environment)
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Sport and Active Leisure Recreation Assistant)
Explore the New BTEC Level 2 Technicals
What new qualifications will be available from Pearson in 2025?
| NEW qualifications | Funded from |
Existing qualifications | Funded until | ||
| 610/4251/1 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Early Years Practitioners (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/0509/5 | BTEC Level 2 Technical in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Practitioner) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4255/9 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Gym Instructors (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6135/9 |
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Instructing Exercise in a Gym Environment) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4253/5 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Recreation Assistants (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6137/2 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Sport and Active Leisure Recreation Assistant) | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4254/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry in Leading Community Activity (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
603/6134/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sports Industry Skills (Leading Children's Sports Activities | 31 Jul 2025 |
| 610/4252/3 | Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Lean Manufacturing Operatives (Diploma) | 1 Aug 2025 |
This qualification forms part of our brand new BTEC Technical offer for full-time 16-19 and adult students. |
We want to reassure you that we are committed to supporting you and your learners with the latest information and what it means for the delivery of Pearson qualifications.
Our commitment to you
We will continue to keep you informed about changes on our webpages
Please bookmark this page and visit regularly
We will send out regular updates to your inbox.
If you would like to speak to someone about the vocational reform and what it means for you, your centre and the qualifications you offer now and in the future, please fill out the form below.
