Post-16 reforms at Level 2 and below: new names for ‘Progression Qualifications’
14 July 2023
Following earlier consultations on post-16 reforms, the Department for Education has decided that five groups of Level 2 and below qualifications will collectively be called ‘Progression Qualifications’. The five groups, which will be funded by the DfE within the new post-16 qualifications landscape from 2026 and 2027 are:
- T Level Foundation Qualifications (Level 2): these are qualifications supporting progression to T Levels.
- Level 2 Technical Progression Qualifications: these are Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to Level 3 technical qualifications that are not delivered as part of a T Level programme.
- Level 2 Academic Progression Qualifications: these are Level 2 qualifications supporting progression to Level 3 alternative academic qualifications.
- Level 1 Progression Qualifications: these are Level 1 pre-technical qualifications supporting progression to higher level technical qualifications.
- Entry level Progression Qualifications: these are entry level qualifications supporting progression to Level 1 pre-technical qualifications.
Ofqual has already published the policy decisions on these qualifications following earlier consultations (
T Level Foundation Qualifications and
Other Progression Qualifications) and is now consulting on the draft conditions, requirements and guidance to put the policy decisions into effect for all five groups of Progression Qualifications.
The
new consultation seeks views on the regulations for Progression Qualifications including areas such as definition, purpose, assessment, levels of attainment, and standard setting.
The deadline for responses to the consultation is 14 September 2023. Ofqual will publish the final conditions, requirements and guidance later this year.