V Levels and the reformed post‑16 landscape: FAQs

V Levels are new applied vocational qualifications for 16 to 19 learners in England. They will sit alongside A Levels and T Levels. They are designed to support progression to further study (including higher education and apprenticeships), offer applied learning linked to broad occupational areas, and give students a flexible vocational route that is not fully specialised.

T Levels are large, specialist programmes designed to prepare students for entry into a specific occupation. V Levels are intended for students who want a vocational pathway but are not yet ready to specialise, or who want to keep their options open. They are intended to be studied alongside other V Levels or A Levels as part of a broader programme of study.

V Levels are applied qualifications expected to be linked to occupational standards. They are not purely academic, and they are not intended to teach full occupational competence. The DfE has not yet confirmed detailed assessment models, but V Levels are expected to combine applied knowledge, real‑world contexts and assessment that supports progression. Further detail will be published as qualifications are developed.

Final content has not yet been confirmed but subject content will be published by the DfE in July 2026. V Levels are expected to develop applied subject knowledge linked to an occupational area and prepare students for further study, training or employment.

The DfE is introducing V Levels in phases and expects providers to transition gradually over 4 years. Until the full suite is available, programmes may combine V Levels with A Levels or other approved qualifications where these continue to be funded such as Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) and Cambridge Technicals. Providers are not expected to change everything at once. The DfE have indicated that they intend transition planning to be manageable and phased.

The DfE has said it will balance the introduction of new qualifications with the removal of funding for legacy qualifications to avoid gaps in provision. Providers are expected to review and adapt their offer as additional qualifications are introduced in later tranches.

The DfE has published the Post-16 pathways: implementation plan,  which summarises their overall timeline for delivering our reformed qualifications.

Many centres are taking a high‑level and transparent approach. They describe pathways rather than individual qualifications until further detail is confirmed. This helps students and parents make informed choices while the system continues to change. The DfE intends to publish example progression pathways for 2027 V Levels in September 2026. We will share updates clearly and promptly as they become available.

Digital Systems and Data, Education, and Accounting and Finance.

Level 2 Foundation Certificates: Digital Systems and Data, and Education and Early Years.

Level 2 Occupational Certificates: Culinary Skills, Early Years Practitioner, and Hospitality.

V Levels are designed to support progression, including progression to higher education. Further guidance on progression pathways is provided in the DfE's Post-16 pathways: implementation plan.

AAQs are applied qualifications that support academic progression alongside A Levels. V Levels are applied vocational qualifications in the reformed system and are linked to occupational standards. They can be studied alongside other V Levels or A Levels as part of a mixed programme of study.

Detailed assessment approaches will be confirmed when Ofqual publishes its regulations for V Levels in September 2026. The DfE has heard strong feedback about accessibility, inclusion and fair assessment. We expect this to be reflected as qualifications are developed. We will share updates as soon as they are available. At Cambridge OCR, we are committed to making assessment straightforward.