Open consultation

Post-16 L2 and L3 qualifications: 2027 proposed subject content

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 23 April 2026

Applies to England

Summary

We are seeking views on the proposed subject content for new qualifications at level 2 and level 3 to be first taught from September 2027.

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 4 June 2026

Consultation description

We have worked with experts and stakeholders to develop subject content for new post-16 pathways at:

• level 2 - foundation certificates and occupational certificates
• level 3 - V Levels

We’re seeking consultation responses on the proposed content for the first routes in the 2027 to 2028 academic year for:

• foundation certificates:

  • digital systems and data
  • education and early years

• occupational certificates:

  • early years practitioners
  • culinary skills
  • hospitality

• V Levels:

  • digital systems and data
  • education
  • accounting and finance (as part of legal, finance and accounting route)

The consultation is for anyone with an interest in post-16 education for 16 to 19-year-olds in England. This includes but is not limited to:

• awarding organisations who intend to offer foundation certificates, occupational certificates and V Levels, and their representative bodies
• schools, colleges, students, and their representative bodies
• further and higher education institutions and their representative bodies
• employers and their representative bodies

We will take into account the findings from the responses when finalising the final subject content. The final subject content will be available in July 2026.

Ofqual’s consultation on the regulatory framework for these qualifications is also available.

Find out what these qualification levels mean in England.

Published 23 April 2026