V Levels and Post-16 Vocational Qualifications Reform

What are the new post-16 vocational qualifications at Level 2 and 3?

The reformed landscape - V Levels, T Levels and A Levels - is designed to create clearer routes for learners and simplify progression pathways. At Level 2 and Level 3, qualifications will be grouped into distinct categories, each with a specific purpose and progression outcome.

Explore the qualification types below to understand how the new landscape will be structured.

What are V Levels?

V Levels are Level 3 vocational qualifications designed for post-16 learners. They combine classroom-based vocational learning with practical assessment and support progression to higher education, apprenticeships and higher-level study. 

Key facts

V Levels

Level 3 - Vocational qualification (classroom-based).

Two-year course. 360 GLH. Progression to higher level or Higher Education.

  • V Levels offer broad, vocational qualifications for students who want to explore different career pathways.
  • Designed to be studied alongside other qualifications, such as additional V Levels, A Levels, or English and maths resits, the programme provides flexibility and choice.
  • Students benefit from a blend of applied learning and practical assessment. Content is set nationally and linked to occupational standards, ensuring relevance to future study and work.
  • Typically delivered over 360 guided learning hours (subject to confirmation), V Levels support progression to related higher education or apprenticeships.
  • An alternative to A levels.

Explore our V Level offer

In development

New V Levels subjects

First teach September 2027:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Digital Systems and Data 
  • Education

Join a reform briefing

Key facts

Foundation Certificates

Level 2 - Further Study Pathway (classroom-based).

One-year course. 240-300 GLH. Progression to Occupational Certificate or Level 3 study.

  • For students who are motivated and capable of progressing to a Level 3 qualification, including T Levels, V Levels or A Levels, after an additional year at Level 2.
  • Students develop strong foundations in English and maths, alongside enrichment activities and early exposure to Level 3 content.
  • Delivered over one year, these Level 2 vocational qualifications offer a balanced mix of breadth and depth within a broad vocational area. Content is set nationally, with guided learning hours of 240–300 (subject to confirmation).
  • Focus on applied, practical learning. Content is aligned to relevant Level 3 pathways, supporting clear and confident progression.

Explore our Foundation Certificate offer

In development

New Foundation Certificate subjects

First teach September 2027:

  • Digtial Systems and Data
  • Education

Join a reform briefing

Key facts

Occupational Certificates

Level 2 - Occupational Pathway (classroom-based).

Two-year course. 540-720 GLH. Progression to employment or an apprenticeship.

  • Supports progression into skilled employment, helping students build confidence and prepare for relevant Level 2 roles.
  • Content is tailored to support progression into work, combining employability skills with enrichment activities that reflect real-world expectations.
  • Students develop strong foundations in English and maths alongside their vocational learning.
  • Delivered over two years, with guided learning hours based on the relevant occupational standard (typically 540–720 GLH, subject to confirmation).
  • Learners complete a mix of broad introductory content, set nationally and aligned to occupational standards, as well as more specialised, occupation-specific learning.

Explore our Occupational Certificates offer

In development

New Occupational Certificate subjects

First teach September 2027:

  • Early Years Practitioners

Join a reform briefing

Compare qualifications

Qualification V Levels BTEC T levels A levels
Description Broad vocational qualifications focused on applied learning across a sector. Career-based vocational qualifications Technical qualifications with specific occupational route plus industry placement Subject based academic qualifications
Guided Learning Hours 360 GLH 180 GLH to 1080 GLH Equivalent to 3 A Levels (generally 1080 GLH) 360 GLH
Duration 2 years 2 years 2 years 2 years
Availability

Awaiting approval for first teach September 2027

Explore offer

 Check funding guides for individual qualifications Available now
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Your trusted leader in vocational education

Why Pearson?

  • Authentic vocational learning from the experts – with decades of experience in vocational education, our qualifications are grounded in practical learning and real-world application, helping learners to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence for their next step and future career.

  • Assessment you can trust – Our assessments are valid, straightforward and designed so that the full range of learners can demonstrate what they know and can do, so you can have confidence in the outcomes achieved. 

  • Clear routes to what comes next – We design qualifications with progression in mind, helping you to build deliverable study programmes that reflect learners’ aspirations and support progression to higher education, higher technical study or apprenticeships.

  • Support for confident delivery – We give teachers and centres clear specifications, practical resources, professional development, subject expertise and guidance to help reduce workload and delivery risk.

  • Over 40 years of expertise in career-focused vocational education

  • We collaborate with over 300 employers, industry specialists and professional bodies to shape vocational qualifications and training that reflect what real jobs demand

Post-16 vocational qualification reform briefings

Live subject-specific webinars will give you the latest details about how and when post-16 vocational qualifications reform in England will affect your subject area. Updates on funding of current qualifications, regulatory requirements that will govern new content and assessments and timelines for transition will be presented.

Join a session

Transition timeline

Clear timelines. Clear decisions. Confident planning.

View the timeline below to understand how and when the new post-16 Level 2 and Level 3 vocational qualifications will be developed in which subjects.

Explore your subject options

I have had the opportunity to engage with Pearson on developing our future vocational offer and what evolving qualifications means for our students and communities. Creating better futures isn't just about responding to change. It's about understanding it well enough to make informed decisions that will benefit our students for years to come, and I value the opportunity to work with sector partners to support that thinking.

— Joanne Allen-Kotze: Curriculum Development and Innovation Lead, South Hampshire College Group

There’s no single route to a successful future. As careers and learning pathways evolve, our mission is to help every learner find a way forward – through relevant learning, trusted assessment and subject choices (or subject options) that lead somewhere meaningful.

V Levels are part of how we’re making that ambition real.

— Donna Ford-Clarke: Senior Lead, Product Management (Vocational Qualifications), Pearson

Collaborate with us

When developing our new qualifications we need feedback from teachers, leaders, employers and sector experts, so that they retain the applied, career-focused strengths centres, learners and employers value. 

Join a feedback panel

Funding guides and useful links

Guides

Centre information

Resources

Have questions?

Please use the form below to get in touch or to sign up for updates or visit the Pearson support portal

Together, we'll ensure your learners continue to receive the excellent vocational education they deserve.

Contact us today

Frequently asked questions

What are V Levels?

V Levels are new Level 3 vocational qualifications for post-16 learners in England. They will offer broad, classroom-based vocational learning for students who want to explore a sector and different career pathways without preparing for one specific occupation.

V Levels will combine applied learning with practical assessment. Their content will be set nationally and linked to occupational standards, helping to ensure that learning remains relevant to future study and work.

Each V Level will be 360 guided learning hours, equivalent in size, and will normally be delivered over two years. Learners will be able to study V Levels alongside other qualifications, including additional V Levels, A Levels, or English and maths resits. 

Explore our V Levels offer

Why are post-16 vocational qualifications changing?

The post-16 vocational qualification reforms are designed to create clearer routes for learners and simplify progression after GCSEs. At Levels 2 and 3, qualifications will be grouped into the following distinct categories, with each qualification type having a defined purpose and progression outcome:

  • V Levels at Level 3, supporting progression to higher education, higher-level study or apprenticeships.
  • Foundation Certificates at Level 2, supporting progression to further Level 2 or Level 3 study.
  • Occupational Certificates at Level 2, supporting progression towards skilled employment or an apprenticeship.

The aim is to help learners, families and educators understand where each route can lead and make choices with greater confidence.

Do the reforms apply to all parts of the UK?

No. The proposed reforms apply only to England. Centres in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are not affected. BTECs remain fully approved and funded in those regions.

Refer to your funding guide for details.

How do V Levels compare to A Levels and T Levels?

A Levels, T Levels and V Levels are all Level 3 qualifications, but they are designed for different learning styles and progression routes.

  • A Levels are academic, subject-based qualifications.
  • T Levels are large technical qualifications designed around a particular occupational route. They include a substantial industry placement.
  • V Levels are broad vocational qualifications that use applied learning and practical assessment but do not focus as narrowly on one occupation as T Levels.

The right choice at Level 3 will depend on how a learner prefers to learn and what the learner wants to do next.

Explore your options

When will V Levels be introduced?

The first V Levels are planned for first teaching from September 2027. Pearson is currently developing V Levels in Accounting and Finance, Digital Systems and Data, and Education, subject to regulatory approval and funding confirmation.

Level 3 V Levels

Level 2 qualifications

Further subject areas are expected to become available in phases. Additional V Levels are planned for first teaching between the 2028/29 and 2030/31 academic years. Later-stage information remains subject to the qualification development and regulatory process.

Learn more in our Guide to Funding and Support.

Which subjects will be available as Pearson V Levels?

Pearson is currently developing V Levels in: Accounting and Finance, Digital Systems and Data and Education subject to regulatory approval and funding confirmation.

Schools and colleges should check the latest Pearson qualification and funding information before making curriculum decisions, as the reform programme is being introduced in stages. 

Refer to your funding guides