Campaigners welcome that funding for BTecs to be retained in the interim
The first tranche of subjects available to be studied as V Levels have been announced, together with an expansion of T Levels.
V Levels are new vocationally focused qualifications – equivalent to an A Level – which will be rolled out from 2027. The government has now announced that Education & Early Years, Finance and Accounting, and Digital will be the first subjects to be made available. From 2028, a further eight subjects will be added to V-level options – including Business and Administration, Care Services, Construction, and Sports, Fitness & Exercise Science – with more to follow in 2029 and 2030.
V Levels were originally announced in October last year, as part of plans which the government said would simplify a ‘confusing landscape’ of qualifications in England. They are intended to replace Level 3 BTecs and other post-16 technical qualifications, however the government has now confirmed that funding for existing qualifications such as BTecs will be retained while V Levels are phased in. Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association – which had campaigned for that funding commitment – said his members would ‘warmly welcome’ the news, adding: ‘By 2028, the government will have made further refinements to T levels and delivery of V levels will have started. Retaining most BTEC diplomas and extended diplomas until then will avoid the sharp decline in student outcomes that would have accompanied their hasty withdrawal.’
The ‘refinements’ to T Levels mentioned include changes to the content and assessment, as well as allowing providers more scope to tailor industry placements. They will also see an expansion to new subjects, including Sports, Fitness & Exercise Science, along with Care Services. V Levels are intended to sit alongside both A Levels and T Levels, allowing students to ‘mix and match’ academic and vocational subjects if they wish.
New qualifications will be introduced next year for 16‑year‑olds, which can provide a year of study before then progressing to V Levels, T Levels or A levels, with initial subjects in Education and Early Years, and Digital. A separate two‑year, employment‑focused route will also be available for those aiming to move straight into work or an apprenticeship, starting in Catering & Hospitality, and Education & Early Years. The government will also launch a consultation on a new qualification for students with lower attainment in English and Maths, intended as a stepping stone to resitting their GCSEs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘Our bold reforms will end the snobbery in post-16 education, supporting young people with real choice and real opportunity to build secure, future‑proof careers. Not only that, but it will give parents much-needed confidence in a system that values every route to success – academic, technical or vocational – as we continuing driving forward our mission to ensure two‑thirds of young people are in education, training or apprenticeships by 25.’
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, commented: ‘The certainty now provided around existing qualifications is a positive and much‑needed step as we move towards a new post‑16 landscape. We also welcome the government’s plans to reform T levels, and we hope these changes will strengthen their accessibility, quality, and suitability for a wider range of learners. The transition period will inevitably be complex for schools and colleges, and the timeline set out by the government will be crucial in enabling providers to plan their future offer. We encourage the government to publish the full implementation plan, including the detailed qualification-level information underpinning the timeline, as soon as possible.’
Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, David Hughes, said: ‘I’m pleased to see this announcement today. For many years, we have had a lack of certainty and stability about the future qualification landscape which this package of measures addresses. I am very optimistic that by working together and through co-design with college experts, we can make this work.’
Further information on 16 to 19 education and skills funding is available via:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/16-to-19-education-and-skills-funding