The government is introducing major reforms to post-16 education, ensuring that every young person can gain the skills and knowledge they need to secure a good job, progress to university, or pursue other ambitions.
From 2027, new V Levels will be introduced to replace many existing qualifications, simplifying the system and opening up more high-quality pathways for students. These reforms are designed so that, whatever a student’s strengths or interests – academic, technical, or vocational—there’s a clear route for them.
What Are V Levels?
Alongside the established A Levels (academic) and T Levels (technical, including an industry placement), V Levels will provide a third option: a vocational pathway for students who want to explore different sectors before specialising.
V Levels will streamline the currently confusing landscape of around 900 qualifications at Level 3, giving students a clear, high-quality route into work, further study, or higher education.
New Level 2 Pathways
Two new pathways are also being introduced at Level 2 (the GCSE equivalent) for students aged 16–18:
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Occupational Pathway: A two-year, employment-focused programme designed for students aiming to move straight into skilled jobs or apprenticeships. It combines real-world industry experience with practical skills, helping students become confident and work-ready.
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Further Study Pathway: Designed for students who plan to progress to Level 3 courses like A Levels, T Levels or V Levels, but need extra time to build confidence and strengthen their skills before advancing.
Flexibility is also being built in, so students can transfer between pathways if their goals change.
Support for English and Maths
To help students who are still working toward a GCSE grade 4 or above, new English and maths qualifications for 16–19-year-olds will provide tailored support and more teaching time. Providers will now deliver at least 100 hours of in-person teaching per subject per year, with increased funding to ensure students have the support they need to succeed.
Investing in Technical and Vocational Education
The reforms are backed by an additional £800 million investment in 16–19 education, including the creation of 29 new Technical Excellence Colleges focused on key industries. The goal is to give every young person the opportunity to succeed while providing employers with the skilled workforce they need.
What Happens Next?
The government has launched a consultation on how the new pathways will operate in practice.
The full set of reforms has been outlined in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper shortly.
