Foreword by Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, the Chief Regulator at Ofqual
Published 5 November 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/our-approach-to-recognition-for-v-levels-foundation-certificates-and-occupational-certificates/foreword-by-sir-ian-bauckham-cbe-the-chief-regulator-at-ofqual
Ofqual is responsible for making sure that qualifications can be trusted by students, employers, universities and the wider public. That trust depends on both the design and the delivery of a qualification. It is vital that awarding organisations have the right expertise, systems and governance to develop robust qualifications and deliver them well.
New vocational qualifications are providing clearer pathways to students aged 16 and over. V Levels let students explore a sector before deciding where to specialise, providing a different option to the more occupationally-focused T Levels. Together with A Levels they give every student a credible path to higher study, higher technical training or a higher apprenticeship. At level 2, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates open up further routes, towards level 3 study or into employment.
When we consulted earlier this year on the recognition criteria awarding organisations would need to meet to offer these new qualifications, we said we would revisit our approach once the detailed regulatory conditions for V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates had been published. Those conditions are now in place, and this consultation now sets out our proposals for recognition going forward. The bar must stay high enough to protect the trust these qualifications depend on, while not placing unnecessary restrictions on the market for awarding organisations capable of delivering them well. Our goal is to ensure we have struck the right balance.
We would encourage awarding organisations, schools, colleges, students and employers to read these proposals and share their views.