Introduction
Published 12 November 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/regulating-science-v-levels-at-subject-level/introduction
The Department for Education (DfE) is introducing V Levels as a new qualification type to be delivered alongside A Levels and T Levels. The first tranche of subjects, comprising V Levels in accounting and finance, digital and data systems, and education will be taught from September 2027. Additional subjects are being introduced on a phased basis over subsequent years. Further information on the planned rollout can be found in DfE’s Post-16 Pathways Implementation Plan.
This consultation is one of 6 consultations seeking views on the Subject Level Conditions (SLCs), requirements and guidance we propose to set for the 11 V Level subjects due to be first taught in 2028. Each consultation covers the V Level subjects within a particular sector and explains our proposed approach to regulating those subjects, including the proposed SLCs, requirements and guidance.
This consultation seeks views on the proposed SLCs for the science V Level subjects. It will close on 8 January 2027.
The proposed subject titles covered in this consultation are:
- V Level in science research and technology
- V Level in healthcare science and technology
The remaining 5 consultations cover the following sectors and proposed subject titles:
Health and care:
- V Level in health
- V Level in social care
Enterprise and professional services:
- V Level in legal services
- V Level in business management and operations
- V Level in sales and marketing
Construction:
- V Level in construction: design, surveying, planning
Engineering and manufacturing:
- V Level in engineering and manufacturing
- V Level in engineering design
Sport and leisure:
- V Level in sport and physical activity
DfE subject content
DfE is consulting on the proposed subject content for the next tranche of subjects which are scheduled to be first taught from September 2028.
Information on how to respond to DfE’s consultations can be found at Post-16 level 2 and 3 qualifications: Proposed subject content. These consultations will launch throughout November 2026 and close in December 2026 and January 2027. The final versions of the subject content will be published in early 2027.
Ofqual’s regulatory framework for V Levels
Ofqual published its consultation outcome and decisions Regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3 on 10 September 2026. Alongside the consultation outcome, we published our regulatory framework for V Levels.
This second series of consultations focuses on the second tranche of subjects, which are scheduled to be first taught in 2028. As the Qualification Level Conditions (QLCs), requirements and guidance for V Levels have already been published, the consultations seek views only on the proposed Subject Level Conditions (SLCs) for the 11 V Level subjects due to be introduced in 2028. These consultations are running concurrently with DfE’s consultations on subject content. Our intention is to publish Ofqual’s decisions following these consultations, alongside the final SLCs, requirements and guidance, in early 2027. Our consultations do not address DfE’s wider policy decisions, the subject content itself, or the implementation timetable for the reforms, as these matters fall outside Ofqual’s remit.
Use of on-screen assessment
In our consultation Regulating on-screen assessment in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England, we defined on-screen assessment (OSA) as follows:
On-screen assessment
On-screen assessment means students take their exams using digital devices, such as a computer, instead of writing their answers on paper. The questions appear on the screen, and students type or select their responses, which are then submitted electronically. On-screen assessment includes both online and offline (or hybrid) approaches to digital exams. It doesn’t necessarily require an internet connection during the exam.
In the analysis and decisions of our consultation Regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3, we said that we would permit the use of on-screen assessment in Non-exam Assessment across all subjects, as consulted on. We also said that we would permit the use of on-screen assessment in Assessment by Examination (AbE) in V Levels in digital systems and data, and in accounting and finance, but not in the V Level in education.
Additionally, we confirmed that where awarding organisations choose to offer both paper-based and on-screen assessment in the first tranche of V Levels, we would not require separate specifications or substantially different assessment materials for each mode at this point.
We also said that we intended to consult on our longer-term regulatory approach for on-screen assessment in V Levels in due course. We are now seeking views on the approach to tranche 2 V Level subjects as part of this consultation.