Ofqual is currently consulting on how the new post-16 vocational qualifications at level 2 and level 3 should be regulated. The consultation covers V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, including how they should be designed, assessed, graded, quality assured and reviewed. It closes on 2 July 2026. The consultation is substantial, but respondents can answer as many or as few questions as they wish.

We would encourage colleges and school to respond where they have evidence or views to share. The proposals will have practical implications for curriculum planning, assessment delivery, centre marking, moderation, retakes, on-screen assessment, and the manageability of these qualifications for staff and students.

For those interested in Level 3 V Levels, the questions likely to be most relevant from a provider perspective include:

• Q4 on the proposed 360 GLH size; Q10–11 on assessment methods and the balance between examination and non-exam assessment;
• Q14-16 on centre adaptation of assessments and assessment availability/windows;
• Q17-18 on terminal assessment, including the proposed 40% terminal assessment requirement;
• Q19 and Q22 on retakes and moderation of centre-marked assessment.

For colleges in particular, the Level 2 questions on Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates may also be important. These include:

• Q25-26 on the purposes of the qualifications and whether they reflect progression to further study, employment or apprenticeships;
• Q27 on qualification size;
• Q31-32 on assessment methods;
• Q34-36 on setting assessments, centre adaptation and assessment availability;
• Q37 on retakes; and
• Q38-40 on marking and moderation of centre-marked assessments. These questions are likely to be especially relevant where colleges have practical experience of delivering Level 2 programmes to learners with varied prior attainment, progression aims and support needs.

You may also wish to consider the cross-cutting questions on on-screen assessment, equality impacts and regulatory burden:

• Q43–45 and Q48–53 where provider evidence about infrastructure, accessibility, staffing, timetabling and manageability will be particularly useful.

There is no expectation that providers need to respond to every question. A focused response on the issues that would most affect your learners, staff, delivery model or assessment arrangements will still be valuable. In particular, Ofqual will benefit from practical evidence about what would be manageable in different centre contexts, what could create delivery risks, and what would support fair and reliable outcomes for students.

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