Post-16 Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications: 2027 proposed subject content
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
A summary of responses received to the consultation, the government’s response outlining next steps, and an equality impact assessment.
Final subject content is also available for:
Original consultation
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.
Foundation certificates
We have proposed subject content for:
- digital systems and data
- education and early years
Occupational certificates
We have proposed subject content for:
- early years practitioners
- culinary skills
- hospitality
V Levels
We have proposed subject content for:
- digital systems and data
- education
- accounting and finance (as part of the legal, finance and accounting route)
Who the consultation is for
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.
Updates to this page
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Added the government response and equality impact assessment.
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First published.