11 March 2026
Post-16 pathways consultation response: V Levels, changes to T Levels and new level 2 pathways
On 10 March 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published their response to the consultation into Post-16 level 3 and below pathways. Building on the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, and the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the response sets out the government’s vision for a reformed 16-19 qualifications system. Seen as the biggest reform to vocational education in a generation, the plans aim to ensure genuine parity of esteem between academic, vocational and technical qualifications. The response is seen as an essential part of delivering on the Prime Minister’s ambition for two thirds of young people to progress to higher level training, an apprenticeship or university by age 25.
What does the consultation response cover?
There are 3 major aspects to the government’s response, relating to:
What is the new detail on V Levels?
V Levels will be introduced from 2027, with the first subjects announced as Education & Early Years, Digital and Finance. They will be the same size as an A Level and can be studied alongside A Levels. V Levels are aimed at young people who wish to study a broad, vocational area and will focus on applied learning. It is intended that some V Levels could be ‘partnered’ in a similar way to how A Level Maths and Further Maths can be studied together. However, each V Level will provide a distinct offer, with minimal overlap with other V Level subjects and crucially will not offer the same depth as a T Level.
The subject content of V Levels will be set nationally by the DfE and will be linked to occupational standards.
What are the changes to T Levels?
T Levels will remain as the most appropriate study programme for students who know the broad career path they wish to follow. The current structure of a route-based core, an occupational specialism and a 315 hour industry placement will remain. The DfE plan to continue to expand and improve T Levels by refining the content and assessment, to improve their accessibility to a wider range of students.
New subjects to be introduced in 2028 are Sport, Fitness & Exercise Science and Care Services. Further subjects will be rolled out in 2029 and 2030.
Industry placements will benefit from further flexibility in their delivery method, allowing for increased remote delivery, group projects, simulated work environments and can be spread across multiple employers.
Will defunding of existing qualifications take place as planned?
To allow more time for successful transition, no defunding of existing qualifications will take place this year. Defunding will start from 2027; Health and Social Care will be defunded in 2028. The DfE have published a full list of qualifications due to have funding removed from August 2027
What more do we know about the new level 2 pathways?
Two new level 2 pathways will be introduced for students who need additional support to continue learning at Post-16.
The ‘Further Study pathway’ will be a one year course aimed at students wishing to progress to a level 3 course, either V Levels, T Levels or A Levels. Students will work towards a ‘Foundation Certificate,’ English and/or Maths qualifications (where appropriate) and take part in employability and enrichment activities. The first 'Foundation Certificates' will be in Education & Early Years and Digital.
The ‘Occupational pathway’ will be a two year course aimed at students who wish to progress to employment or an apprenticeship. They will work towards an ‘Occupational Certificate,’ English and/or Maths (where appropriate) and build resilience and confidence to progress to skilled employment. The first 'Occupational Certificates' will be in Catering, Hospitality and Education & Early Years.
What are the timescales for these changes?
The DfE will issue a full implementation plan by June 2026, setting out further detail on the delivery of the reforms. By 2030/31, the plan is to have a much clearer range of options on offer at Post-16, namely A Levels, T Levels and V Levels, alongside level 2 pathways and apprenticeships.
A consultation has also been launched on new qualifications that will act as a 'stepping stone' for students who have not achieved grade 4 in English and/or Maths by the time they leave Year 11, to better prepare them to resit these qualifications the following year.
Full details of the government response to the consultation, including the phased rollout of new V Level and T Level subjects, can be found here
What does the consultation response cover?
There are 3 major aspects to the government’s response, relating to:
- The introduction of V Levels;
- The expansion of T Levels;
- Clearer level 2 routes, including an Occupational pathway and a Further Study pathway.
What is the new detail on V Levels?
V Levels will be introduced from 2027, with the first subjects announced as Education & Early Years, Digital and Finance. They will be the same size as an A Level and can be studied alongside A Levels. V Levels are aimed at young people who wish to study a broad, vocational area and will focus on applied learning. It is intended that some V Levels could be ‘partnered’ in a similar way to how A Level Maths and Further Maths can be studied together. However, each V Level will provide a distinct offer, with minimal overlap with other V Level subjects and crucially will not offer the same depth as a T Level.
The subject content of V Levels will be set nationally by the DfE and will be linked to occupational standards.
What are the changes to T Levels?
T Levels will remain as the most appropriate study programme for students who know the broad career path they wish to follow. The current structure of a route-based core, an occupational specialism and a 315 hour industry placement will remain. The DfE plan to continue to expand and improve T Levels by refining the content and assessment, to improve their accessibility to a wider range of students.
New subjects to be introduced in 2028 are Sport, Fitness & Exercise Science and Care Services. Further subjects will be rolled out in 2029 and 2030.
Industry placements will benefit from further flexibility in their delivery method, allowing for increased remote delivery, group projects, simulated work environments and can be spread across multiple employers.
Will defunding of existing qualifications take place as planned?
To allow more time for successful transition, no defunding of existing qualifications will take place this year. Defunding will start from 2027; Health and Social Care will be defunded in 2028. The DfE have published a full list of qualifications due to have funding removed from August 2027
What more do we know about the new level 2 pathways?
Two new level 2 pathways will be introduced for students who need additional support to continue learning at Post-16.
The ‘Further Study pathway’ will be a one year course aimed at students wishing to progress to a level 3 course, either V Levels, T Levels or A Levels. Students will work towards a ‘Foundation Certificate,’ English and/or Maths qualifications (where appropriate) and take part in employability and enrichment activities. The first 'Foundation Certificates' will be in Education & Early Years and Digital.
The ‘Occupational pathway’ will be a two year course aimed at students who wish to progress to employment or an apprenticeship. They will work towards an ‘Occupational Certificate,’ English and/or Maths (where appropriate) and build resilience and confidence to progress to skilled employment. The first 'Occupational Certificates' will be in Catering, Hospitality and Education & Early Years.
What are the timescales for these changes?
The DfE will issue a full implementation plan by June 2026, setting out further detail on the delivery of the reforms. By 2030/31, the plan is to have a much clearer range of options on offer at Post-16, namely A Levels, T Levels and V Levels, alongside level 2 pathways and apprenticeships.
A consultation has also been launched on new qualifications that will act as a 'stepping stone' for students who have not achieved grade 4 in English and/or Maths by the time they leave Year 11, to better prepare them to resit these qualifications the following year.
Full details of the government response to the consultation, including the phased rollout of new V Level and T Level subjects, can be found here
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