What are V Levels and when do they launch?

The article was published August 2026.

Interested in options after you leave school? Find out about V Levels, a new type of qualification soon to be available in England.

• V Levels are two-year courses
• One V Level is equivalent to one A Level
• You can combine V Levels with A Levels
• V Levels emphasise practical learning ("V"ocational learning)
• They are planned to launch in England in September 2027
• The subjects available in the first year will be: Digital Systems and Data, Education, and Accounting and Finance. More will be added over time
• Plans are still being finalised and may change.

V Levels are an upcoming new type of level 3 qualification. They will be offered alongside two existing routes – A Levels (academic route) and T Levels (technical route). V Levels will provide a third pathway – the vocational (“V”) route.

Vocational means these qualifications focus on the skills and training needed for specific work sectors. V Levels aim to give you the chance to try sectors out before deciding what you’d like to specialise in during your working life.

—> Practical learning
—> Suss out sectors without specialising yet

V Levels are intended, over time, to become the only post-16 level 3 vocational qualification in England, meaning there would be three pathways:

Apprenticeships sit separately to this, combining hands-on work experience with off-the-job training. They allow you to earn while you learn. Check out our apprenticeships FAQs guide for more information.

The first V Levels are planned to launch in England in September 2027. There are currently no plans for them to be available in the other UK nations.

Visit your nation's government website for more information about what types of courses are available near you:

• gov.wales (Wales)
• gov.scot (Scotland)
• nidirect (Northern Ireland)

V Levels involve 360 guided learning hours per subject, which is the same as an A Level. You complete these hours over a two-year period.

Table inspired by this V Levels research briefing.

The Department for Education says that the aim is for a more streamlined system, where it’s clearer what your choices are post-16.

A recent DfE blog outlines a hope for the new system to "give young people more flexibility to mix and match subjects, and make sure qualifications are clearly recognised by employers and higher education providers."

The subjects currently planned for the first year (from Sept 2027) are:

• Digital Systems and Data
• Education
• Accounting and Finance

More subjects will be added over time.

As part of the move to streamline post-16 options, V Levels are intended to gradually replace existing level 3 qualifications that are not A Levels and T Levels. There are plans to introduce more V Level and T Level options, with other types of qualifications that cover similar subject areas due to be defunded.

For example, from August 2027, there are plans to stop public funding for several level 3 courses, including ones in Digital Technology, Accounting and Finance, and Child Development and Well-being. You can see full details of these plans on the GOV.UK website.

Yes, you can combine V Levels with A Levels. One V Level is the equivalent of one A Level.

You can study for English or Maths retakes alongside doing V Level(s).

As of August 2026, this hasn’t been confirmed yet. A consultation about how V Levels are assessed closed in early July 2026, with the results expected to be published in Autumn 2026.

In their proposals for the consultation, OfQual (who regulate qualifications, examinations and assessments in England) said that: “Assessment is… likely to include a variety of forms such as practical or skills tests, simulated tasks or demonstrations and projects.”

Their current proposal is for V Level assessment to include:

• 40% Timetabled assessments set and marked by the awarding organisation
• 60% Other types of assessment.

Timetabled assessment = done at a fixed time that is set by the awarding body. Marked externally by the awarding body. Usually written exams.

Other types of assessment = not all taken at the same time but still under controlled or specified conditions. Could include practical or skills tests, projects, or demonstrations.

As of August 2026, this is still being decided. A consultation about how V Levels are assessed closed in early July 2026, with the results expected to be published in Autumn 2026.

The current proposal is to use the following grading scale for V Levels:

• A* to E, N and U (Ungraded)

The N grade would be awarded for achievement at a level that was below the A*-E scale.

Yes! As part of the government’s goal to “create a clearer, more flexible post-16 qualifications system to enable students to progress to their intended destination”, there are plans to introduce level 2 qualifications for 16-19-year-olds from September 2027. Level 2 is broadly equivalent to GCSE level, but these qualifications are specifically for post-16, rather than pre-16, learners. They are:

• Occupational Certificates ('occupational pathway') – a two-year route focused on employment, with the goal of being able to move straight into a skilled job or apprenticeship afterwards. The first subject options will be Culinary Skills, Hospitality, and Early Years Practitioner, with more rolled out later.
• Foundation Certificates ('further study pathway') – a one-year route for students who want to go on to do level 3 courses like A Levels, T Levels or V Levels, allowing them time to prepare. The first subject options are Education, and Digital Systems and Data, with more rolled out later.

Both pathways include time for English and Maths study, enrichment, and pastoral support.

At level 3, as well as the introduction of V Levels, T Levels will be expanded, with new subjects including Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science, and Care Services.

Keep an eye on the Department for Education blog for the latest updates about V Levels and other qualification changes.

Elsewhere in the BBC

• BBC News: First V Level subjects announced
• BBC News: New V Level courses to be brought in for students after GCSEs