Background
Updated 10 September 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/regulating-post-16-vocational-and-technical-qualifications-at-levels-2-and-3/outcome/background
Ofqual’s consultation Regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3 was open between 23 April and 2 July 2026.
This consultation proposed regulatory frameworks for 3 new vocational and technical qualifications introduced by the Department for Education (DfE) following publication of the Post-16 education and skills white paper on 20 October 2025.
These regulatory frameworks included the proposed qualification level Conditions, requirements and guidance for the following qualifications:
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V Levels: As level 3, broad and applied vocational qualifications, V Levels will be 2-year qualifications with a size of 360 Guided Learning hours. Subject content will be set by DfE, and linked to occupational standards. V Levels are aimed primarily at students who want to progress to higher study, higher technical training or apprenticeships. The proposed Conditions, requirements and guidance include subject level Conditions for the first tranche of V Levels, which will be made available to students from September 2027:
- V Level in education
- V Level in accounting and finance
- V Level in digital systems and data
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Foundation Certificates: Providing a level 2 further study pathway, Foundation Certificates will be one-year qualifications with a size of 240 to 300 Guided Learning hours. Subject content will be set by DfE, and linked to occupational standards. Foundation Certificates are designed to help students progress to further study at level 3.
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Occupational Certificates: Providing a level 2 occupational pathway, Occupational Certificates will be 2-year qualifications with a size of 540 to 720 Guided Learning hours. A proportion of subject content will provide an overview of a sector, set by DfE, and a proportion will provide occupation-specific content from relevant occupational standards, also specified by DfE. Occupational Certificates are designed to demonstrate that a student is ready to progress into employment in occupations covered by the qualification. Once in employment, students will be able to develop full occupational competence at level 2 with further support through related apprenticeships, technical training or professional training.
The consultation also included Ofqual’s proposals relating to the use of on-screen assessments in V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, and our equality and regulatory impact assessments.
Technical Qualifications within T Levels
The consultation included proposed amendments to Ofqual’s qualification level Conditions for Technical Qualifications within T Levels, relating to retakes of the Core Exam. These reflected DfE’s intention to improve deliverability of T Levels and reduce assessment burden on providers and students.