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The DfE is reforming technical and vocational qualifications for 16 to 19 year olds in England.
This page answers common questions we are hearing from school and college leaders.
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.
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.
We can help you shape and communicate your V Level offer to students and parents. Our programme builder tool, study programme examples, ready-to-use options evening packs and summary brochures provide you with the support you need to develop prospectus content, prepare for open events and help students understand the choices available to them.
The DfE has also published post-16 pathway progression maps that support conversations about where different study choices could lead students.
Digital Systems and Data, Education, and Accounting and Finance.
Level 2 Foundation Certificates: Digital Systems and Data, and Education.
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.
If you want to talk through what this could mean for your organisation, we can help with transition planning and keep you updated as information is confirmed.