On Wednesday 20 May, the Department for Education (DfE) published its long-awaited post-16 reforms implementation plan. Much of its content reaffirmed aims and objectives that we are familiar with, so for a full comprehensive overview of the reforms, the best resource is still our page and webinar from March.  

There was, however, some new information in the implementation plan – so I’ve broken it down into 6 key takeaways that most affect providers. 

1. The tranche 2 qualifications now have subject names 

Beyond the first tranche, we only had the names of the routes in which qualifications could be made. For the second tranche launching in 2028, we now have sight of the proposed subject names. There are far more subjects than in tranche 1, covering major sectors like business, construction, engineering, sport, health, and social care: 

2. There won’t be any restrictive rules of combination for 2027 

There had been concerns that the three new V Levels in education, accounting and finance, and digital systems and data would potentially have to be delivered on their own without any sensible combinations for learners. This will not be the case, and the DfE confirmed that they can be combined with existing funded qualifications, such as: 

• A Levels 
• Alternative Academic qualifications (AAQs) 
• Applied Generals 
• Tech Levels 
• Maths and English retakes. 

They also confirmed that there won’t be any ‘partner’ V Levels in the roll-out of the first tranche, which removes potential for any additional complexity.  

3. There is a list of subjects whose fate is yet to be decided 

The DfE identified a list of subjects ‘currently covered by technical and vocational qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3’, but don’t fit into the new qualification moulds. They plan to release more information about these subjects in ‘early 2027’.  They are: 

• Blacksmithing (Levels 2 and 3) 
• British Sign Language (Levels 2 and 3) 
• Criminology (Level 3) 
• Equine Care (Level 3) 
• First Aid (Levels 2 and 3) 
• Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance (Level 3) 
• Theology and Religious Studies (Level 3) 
• Preparation for Life and Work (Levels 2 and 3) 
• Saddlery (Level 3) 
• Transport and Logistics (Levels 2 and 3) 

It is interesting to note that criminology has been in and out of V Level consideration repeatedly, so this is not necessarily the end of the criminology V Level. It certainly shows that the DfE are giving some thought about its future. Those providers who deliver Level 2 employability qualifications will also be pleased to see that Preparation for Life and Work is being addressed as well. 

4. Sport and Social Care will be the first 2 new T Levels in 2028 

The DfE has confirmed the planned introduction of the new T Levels in Social Care and Sport.  

The T Level in Sport has not had confirmed occupational specialisms, which will be worked out subject to further consultation but will ‘draw from occupational standards including Sport Coach, High Performance Coach and Personal Trainer’. We look forward to further information in the future. 

The T Level in Social Care ’will be based upon the Lead Adult Care Worker occupational standard’ and will therefore have a confirmed occupational specialism in Adult Social Care. 

5. Adults can now be funded to study T Levels and other reformed qualifications. 

All reformed qualifications, as well as T Levels, will now be eligible for funding through the Adult Skills Fund in non-devolved areas. This is likely to follow in devolved regions in time as well.

This will most likely take the form of Level 3 Legal Entitlement funding, and will therefore mean that 19–23-year-old learners can study these qualifications as well if it is their first Level 3 qualification. This essentially extends the funded reach of T Levels from 16-19 to 16-23. 

6. There won’t be a ‘single licencing model’ for reformed qualifications 

There was an indication that the DfE would not roll out a single licence model for reformed qualifications, and it is notable that T Levels have also been included in the move to an ‘open market’. 

For providers, this means they will no longer work with a single approved awarding organisation (AO) for delivery. Instead, they will be able to choose between AOs, depending on which qualifications are launched as part of new product portfolios designed to meet the reform requirements. It’s important to note that these changes do not affect existing T Level contracts, which will remain in place until their agreed end date. This includes the T Level in Education and Early Years, where NCFE will continue as the sole AO for the Technical Qualification until July 2033.  

The DfE says it is ‘confident that the market, regulated by Ofqual and DfE’s nationally set subject content, will deliver high-quality qualifications in which students, teachers, employers and parents have confidence’. 

Anything else of interest? 

On the same day, the DfE also published an updated list of defunded qualifications for 2027, which contained no surprises – simply adding Level 2 qualifications that overlapped with new reformed qualifications. 

They also released new T Level industry placement guidance, which removed strict rules for limiting remote working and group project delivery where appropriate. This is good news for future T Level subjects which feature age-related restrictions on in-person placements (like Protective Services).

You can stay up to date with the post-16 reforms as they develop, as well as access our recent webinar and helpful FAQs, by visiting our Post-16 Reforms hub page.