Ministers have unveiled the first subjects to be available as V-levels, with the initial cohort of students starting their courses from 2027.
The early starters will be in education, finance and digital, with a whole raft of further qualifications – including business and administration, construction engineering, legal and sports – coming online a year later.
Further subjects in V-levels will be phased every year up to 2030-31, when a total of 18 will be available to post-16 students.
SEND experts said the new qualifications would “allow students with SEND to choose a programme of study that best suits their needs”.
Margaret Mulholland, SEND and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The flexibility to study V levels alongside A levels or T levels, as well as the further study and occupational pathways, should allow students with SEND to choose a programme of study that best suits their needs.
“Much will depend on the content of these new courses being of high quality and the assessment methods being appropriate, especially as the government has decided that V levels should only be available as single qualifications equivalent in size to one A level.
“It’s also important that schools and colleges have the information and resources required to plan their future offer and successfully implement these new qualifications.”
Our bold reforms will end snobbery in post-16, supporting young people with real choice and opportunity to build secure, future‑proof careers
Mulholland added: “Crucially, the government has agreed to pause the defunding of Applied General Qualification (AGQ) diplomas and extended diplomas while V levels are phased in.
“Many of these courses are popular with young people with SEND, and we are pleased they will continue to have routes available to work and further study during this transition period.
“It’s also imperative that the government’s SEND reforms genuinely improve the support available to pupils at every stage of the education system, to avoid young people disengaging from the system before post-16.”
Meanwhile, Claire Dorer, CEO of the National Association of Special Schools (NASS), said: “NASS welcomes the introduction of V levels as a valid alternative to A levels that will appeal to some learners with SEND.
“We have seen many learners with social emotional and mental health needs thrive on vocational programmes, and would inject a note of caution into plans to defund other pathways that have historically worked well for learners with SEND, such as the BTEC level 3.
“We also want to ensure that the new proposed Level 2 Pathways support learners and prepare them for life and work as adults.”
Ambitious reforms
The government said the introduction of the qualifications were part of “ambitious reforms” that would better prepare young people for future jobs.
They are backed by nearly £800 million extra for 16-19 education in 2026-27, with average per student funding increasing to £6,874 in the next academic year, from £6,762 in 2025-26.
Cutting the number of NEETs
The Prime Minister wants two-thirds of young people to take gold standard apprenticeships, or go into higher training, or university, by the age of 25, and to cut the numbers who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
SEND young people are consistently over-represented in the NEET population compared to the general youth population. Figures suggest that more than half of all young people who were NEET had a health condition, and about 14% specifically reported having learning difficulties.
Clearer options
The government’s reforms to post-16 education aim to provide clearer options for young people, allowing them to mix and match academic and vocational subjects.
Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, 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.”
Mix and match
V-levels will be the equivalent of one A-level, and students will be able to mix and match qualifications depending on their interests and specialisms.
The proposals include a new Further Study pathway, lasting a year, for students who want to go on to do V Levels, T Levels or A levels but aren’t ready to progress beyond GCSE-equivalent study due to lower attainment. This will lead to a new Foundation Certificate qualification.
The Occupational pathway, meanwhile, will provide extra support to lower attainers over two years, to develop the skills to go into employment or an apprenticeship. It will be supported by a new Occupational Certificate qualification.
Sir Ian Bauckman, the chief regulator at Ofqual, said: “All young people should have a post-16 pathway that is ambitious and prepares them for their future.
“Ofqual will ensure that the new post 16 qualifications announced are well designed and will be valued by students, schools and colleges, universities and employers.”
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “V-Levels have real potential to widen access to high‑quality vocational and technical education, but only if reforms protect student choice, maintain equity, and avoid defunding existing qualifications before proven alternatives are in place.”
