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Closed consultation

Regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3

From:
Ofqual
Published
23 April 2026

Applies to England

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Summary

Ofqual wants your views on the proposed regulatory approach, Conditions, requirements and guidance for a range of vocational and technical qualifications.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

A consultation on Ofqual’s proposed regulatory approach, Conditions, requirements and guidance for:

  • Level 3 V Levels
  • Level 2 Foundation Certificates
  • Level 2 Occupational Certificates
  • Retaking Core Exams in Technical Qualifications within T Levels

Consultation structure

This consultation is split into 6 parts and seeks views on both our proposed regulatory approach, and the specific Conditions, requirements and guidance we propose to set to require these approaches.

  • The introduction explains the background to DfE’s proposals, Ofqual’s role in them and when they will be implemented
  • Part 1 explains our overall proposed regulatory approach.
  • Part 2 explains our proposed approach to regulating V Levels. Annex A includes the draft Conditions, requirements and guidance proposed to do this
  • Part 3 explains our proposed approach to regulating Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates. Annexes B and C include the draft Conditions, requirements and guidance proposed to do this
  • Part 4 explains our proposed approach to the use of on-screen assessment in V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.
  • Part 5 sets out proposed changes relating to Technical Qualifications within T Levels to allow individual parts of the Core Exam sub-component to be taken separately for students retaking assessments. Annex D includes the draft updated assessment requirements proposed to do this.
  • Part 6 sets out our assessment of the equalities and regulatory impacts of these proposals.

Documents

Introduction and consultation details

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/1

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Part 1 – Ofqual’s regulatory approach

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/2

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Part 2 – V Level proposals

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/3

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Part 3 – Foundation Certificate and Occupational Certificate proposals

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/4

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Part 4 – On-screen assessment in V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/5

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Part 5 – Retaking Core Exams in Technical Qualifications within T Levels – proposals to allow additional flexibility

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/6

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Part 6 – Impact assessments

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/7

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Annex A – Proposed Conditions, requirements and guidance for V Levels

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/8

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Annex B – Proposed Conditions, requirements and guidance for Foundation Certificates

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/9

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Annex C – Proposed Conditions, requirements and guidance for Occupational Certificates

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/10

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Annex D – Proposed updated requirements for timing of assessments in Technical Qualifications within T Levels

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/11

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Annex E: Privacy Notice for Consultations

Ref: Ofqual/26/7322/12

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Updates to this page

Published 23 April 2026

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