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Post-16 reforms hub: expert videos, resources and guidance
Your guide to V Levels, post-16 reforms and the future qualifications landscape.
The post-16 landscape is changing. From V Levels to new Level 2 Occupational and Foundation Certificates, there is a lot to consider.
As the largest specialist vocational and technical awarding organisation and educational charity, we’re here to support providers through qualification reform.
TechEd Talks
Join NCFE Technical Education Expert Dave Rowley for TechEd Talks, where he explores the questions providers are asking about V Levels, post-16 reforms and the future qualifications landscape.
Throughout the series we’ll break down key topics, and explore what the changes could mean for curriculum planning, learner progression and delivery.
Watch the latest TechEd Talks
For FE colleges and sixth forms
Are V Levels the right choice for all FE providers?
Explore the benefits and considerations of V Levels and where they might fit within your curriculum offer.
How do sixth form colleges navigate post-16 reform?
Hear practical advice for providers preparing for qualification reform and future curriculum planning.
What’s the difference between Level 2 Occupational and Foundation Certificates?
Understand the purpose of each qualification, who they're designed for and how they fit into the reformed Level 2 landscape.
For schools
Supporting schools, sixth forms and KS5 leaders to understand the impact of post-16 reforms.
What do V Levels mean for schools?
Explore what the introduction of V Levels could mean for schools, progression pathways and curriculum planning at KS5.
What’s the difference between V Levels and applied generals?
Explore the similarities and differences between the qualification types.
Helpful resources and guidance
Download our Post-16 Reforms Funding Guide
Our funding guide reflects the latest guidance on changes to Level 2 and 3 vocational qualifications for 16–19 learners in England. The guide will helps explain what is changing, when new qualifications will be available and when existing qualifications will lose funding.
What's changing? Key takeaways from the consultation response.
Read our blog for a summary of the key announcements and what they mean for providers.
Post-16 reforms explained:
Watch our video overview of the reforms and what they mean for your curriculum planning.
FAQs
What are the latest post-16 qualification reforms in England?
From September 2027, the vocational and technical education landscape for 16–19-year-old learners in England will be changing. The reforms will affect learners studying level 2 or level 3 programmes as funding for existing legacy qualifications at these levels will be removed. They will be replaced by new qualifications through a phased approach until 2030/31.
The reforms will create a clearer pathway structure with fewer qualifications for 16-19 learners:
- Level 3: A Levels (academic), T Levels (technical) and new V Levels (vocational).
- Level 2: Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.
Which qualifications are replacing older vocational awards?
The reforms will create a landscape with four funded 16-19 vocational and technical qualifications, two at Level 2 and two at Level 3:
Level 3
- T Levels: large technical qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels
- V Levels: small vocational qualifications equivalent to 1 A Level.
Level 2
- Foundation Certificates: small qualifications taken over 1 year to prepare for Level 3 study
- Occupational Certificates: large qualifications taken over 2 years to prepare for employment.
What are the funding opportunities for colleges implementing new qualification frameworks?
All 16-19 funding in England is allocated to student study programmes as a whole, rather than to individual qualifications (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-funding-how-it-works). This means that the funding methodology will continue to operate on total planned learning hours, and new qualifications will not change the amount of money delivered.
How do UK qualification reforms impact adult education providers?
They don't. The reforms only affect 16-19 funding specifically. This means that adult skills funding, advanced learner loans and other forms of devolved adult funding will not removed as a result of these reforms.
How do new qualification reforms affect vocational training providers?
The reforms will only affect vocational training providers who deliver 16-19 funded study programmes at Level 2 and 3. (Then the rest of this is just the same answer as the first question).