V Levels
Helping providers prepare for the future of technical education
The post-16 qualifications landscape is undergoing significant reform. From 2027, the Department for Education (DfE) plans to introduce new Level 3 V Levels and reformed Level 2 pathways as part of wider technical education reform. V Levels will sit alongside A Levels and T Levels, giving learners more choice in how they progress to higher education, apprenticeships, and employment.
At NCFE, we’re committed to helping providers understand these changes and plan with confidence. This page brings together the latest information, guidance and resources to support your transition planning.
Don’t miss out on V Level updates
What Are V Levels?
V Levels are new vocational qualifications for 16–19 year olds in England. Each qualification is 360 guided learning hours (GLH), equivalent to one A Level, and can and can be taken alongside other subjects across sectors such as education, health, digital, business, and sport. They will replace existing vocational qualifications, including TOQs and AAQs, with subjects determined by the Department for Education (DfE).
V Levels are designed for learners who:
- prefer applied and vocational learning
- want to combine vocational and academic study
- aren’t yet ready to specialise in a specific occupation
- want to keep their progression options open.
How V Levels fit into the post-16 landscape
V Levels will form part of a clearer, more structured post-16 offer, helping learners choose pathways that match their interests, aspirations and preferred way of learning.
| V Level | T Level | A Level | |
| Policy wording | “Provide broad, vocational qualifications for students who wish to explore a range of routes” | “The classroom-based technical route for students who know which broad career area they want to pursue” | “A robust and internationally comparable post-16 academic course of study” |
| Progression to | Related higher education or an apprenticeship | Related higher education, apprenticeships, or skilled employment | Related higher education |
| GLH | 360 | 1080 | 360 |
| Work placement | None | 45-day industry placement | None |
| Link to occupational standards | Selectively mapped to some outcomes across a range of standards | Fully mapped to individual standards to give threshold competence | None |
| Overall grading | A*-E, P, U | D*, D, M, P, U | A*-E, U |
V Levels are designed to work alongside A Levels, T Levels and other Level 3 qualifications. The table below shows how learners could mix and match these options to create a programme that reflects their interests, aspirations and preferred way of learning.
| A Level | A Level | A Level |
| A Level | A Level | V Level |
| A Level | V Level | V Level |
| V Level | V Level | V Level |
| T Level | ||
V Level subjects and rollout timeline
Teaching will begin in September 2027 with the first subject areas being:
- Digital Systems and Data
- Education
- Accounting and Finance.
NCFE V Level Offer
We’re pleased to confirm, subject to DfE and Ofqual approval, NCFE will offer:
- V Level in Digital Systems and Data
- V Level in Education
Additional subjects will follow in future years as the rollout continues.
Timeline
V Levels will be introduced in a phased approach from 2027, with new subject areas launching each year through to 2030.
• Digital Systems and Data
• Education
• Applied Research and Technology
• Construction Design
• Engineering Design
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Health
• Healthcare and Clinical Technologies
• Legal Services
• Leisure, Exercise and Sports
• Management, Procurement and Supply Chains
• Marketing and Retail
• Social Care
• Animal Care and Management
• Protective Services
• Creative, Media and Design
• Travel and Tourism
Watch as NCFE’s Technical Education Expert David Rowley provides an in-depth introduction to V Levels and where they fit in the wider education landscape.
How NCFE can support you
As the largest specialist vocational and technical awarding organisation and educational charity, NCFE is committed to supporting providers throughout qualification reform.
We’ll continue to provide:
- regular policy and reform updates
- sector insights and practical guidance
- curriculum planning support
- resources for providers
- opportunities to engage with qualification development.
We're excited to get working on the future provision and keen to work closely with subject matter experts, employers, providers, HEI and professional bodies to gather your views and expertise.
Find out more about how you can get involved in shaping and developing the future of V Levels.
Frequently asked questions
Through these reforms government aims to create a clearer and more effective qualifications system. Its objectives include; simplifying the post-16 qualifications landscape, improving progression routes for learners and strengthening links between education and employment to ensure qualifications meet future skills needs.
No, V Levels will not replace all vocational qualifications. They will become a significant part of the future 16-19 vocational landscape, replacing existing 16-19 Level 3 funded vocational qualifications in England. The wider vocational landscape is unaffected, including adult-funded qualifications, full-cost provision and apprenticeships. Qualifications in the devolved nations will also not be affected.
Yes. V Levels can be taken with A Levels or other Level 3 qualifications while funding remains in place.
V Levels are flexible vocational qualifications equivalent to one A Level, while T Levels are more specialised technical qualifications equivalent to three A Levels with a mandatory industry placement.
Current proposals suggest that qualifications will include a combination of applied learning approaches, real-world contexts, practical assessment opportunities and assessment methods that support progression.
We’ll share further information as regulatory requirements are confirmed.
V Levels are intended to support progression to higher education, as well as apprenticeships and employment. Further guidance will be provided as implementation continues.
Additional information on qualification content, assessment and regulation will be published throughout the implementation period leading up to first teaching.
The transition to V Levels will take place over the next 4 years, so you’ll have the opportunity to prepare and adapt.
As part of this process, you should begin to:
- review your current curriculum plans and consider how programmes of study may evolve
- monitor updates from the Department for Education (DfE), Ofqual and awarding organisations
- support learners, parents and carers to understand the different post-16 pathways available
- evaluate how future qualifications align with progression routes, including higher education and apprenticeships.
The phased rollout means you won’t be expected to make immediate or large-scale changes. Instead, you’ll be able to adapt your offer gradually as more information becomes available.