Students in England will be able to take a new qualification known as V-levels from 2027, under major reforms designed to give teenagers more flexibility in how they study after GCSEs.
The courses will sit alongside A-levels and T-levels, creating a third pathway for 16 to 19-year-olds in the post-16 education system.
The first subjects available will be education, finance and digital, with more expected to be announced in the coming months – linked to major employment sectors.
The qualifications are being introduced by the Department for Education as part of wider efforts to simplify England’s complex landscape of vocational courses.
The government says other vocational qualifications, such as many existing BTECs, will be phased out.
Ministers argue the current system can be confusing for students, parents, and employers, and V-levels will create clearer routes into higher education and skilled jobs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reforms aim to give young people “real choice and real opportunity to build secure, future-proof careers”.
The government also says the changes will support its ambition for two-thirds of young people to be in higher education, apprenticeships, or advanced training by the age of 25.
How do they differ from other qualifications?
While A-levels remain the academic route, V-levels will focus on career-related learning.
The other group of vocational course, T-levels, are larger technical programmes, equivalent to three A-levels, which include extended industry placements.
V-levels are designed to be smaller and more flexible, allowing students to explore different sectors before specialising.
V-levels are vocational qualifications equivalent in size to one A-level, designed to combine classroom learning with practical skills linked to real jobs.
They fit into the existing system for post-GCSE education in England, to enable students to take a combination of qualifications depending on the future route they wish to follow.
A-levels
A-levels are the traditional academic route taken after GCSEs. Students usually study three subjects over two years. Courses are mainly classroom-based and assessed through exams. They are typically chosen by students who perform strongly in academic subjects and may want to go to university, particularly for more competitive degrees.
V-levels
The V-level is a new qualification planned for England from 2027, which aims to provide practical, work-related skills. A V-level course involves roughly the same number of hours in the classroom as an A-level and they can be combined with other subjects, including A-levels. They are expected to suit students who want a balance between classroom learning and vocational subjects but may not want to specialise as early as those taking T-levels.
T-levels
T-levels are technical qualifications designed to prepare students for a specific career. Each is equivalent to three A-levels and combines classroom learning with practical training and a compulsory industry placement of around 45 days. They tend to suit students who prefer hands-on learning and already have a clear idea of the sector they want to work in. Assessment combines exams, practical assignments, and employer-set projects.
‘Real potential’
Education leaders have broadly welcomed the move to introduce a third pathway, but some have raised concerns.
Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, said the phased rollout would give schools and colleges time to adapt while ensuring students’ education is not disrupted.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said V-levels had “real potential” but warned student choice must be protected, and funding for existing qualifications maintained.
“We urge the government to phase-in the introduction of V-levels to avoid a cliff edge for the many young people currently studying existing level three qualifications, including BTECs,” he added.
“These qualifications provide tried and tested progression routes – especially for students with lower GCSE attainment, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and young people with SEND.”
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Regulators and universities are also working with the government to ensure V-levels are recognised and valued by employers and higher education institutions.
But it is not clear how they will fit into the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system, which provides the framework for university applications, or how many UCAS points each V-level will have.
The changes are backed by £800m in additional funding for 16-19 education.
