Government to Introduce New V Level Qualifications for Young People

FROM 2027, new V levels will be introduced to replace many existing qualifications, simplifying the current system and opening up more high-quality routes for young people, the government has announced.

The reforms are part of the government’s ambition to improve technical and vocational education in the UK. In August, 29 new Technical Excellence Colleges were named in order to support young people entering skilled work, 10 of which were focused on the construction industry.

The government says the new qualifications “are about giving every young person the opportunity to succeed, while ensuring employers get the skilled workforce they need.”

What are V Levels? 

Alongside A levels (the established academic route) and T levels (the technical route that includes an industry placement), there will soon be a third option called V levels.

V levels will be new Level 3 qualifications that offer a vocational pathway for students who want to explore different sectors before deciding where to specialise.

According to the government, this new pathway will replace the wide range of qualifications that are not A or T levels and streamline the ‘currently confusing landscape’ of approximately 900 qualifications at this level.

New Options for Level 2 Students

Two new pathways are also being created to better support students at Level 2 — the level broadly equivalent to GCSEs. These pathways are intended to support those aged 16-18, providing clear route that matches their aspirations, whether that is work or moving into further study:

• The Occupational Pathway– for those who want to develop the skills and experience needed to move straight into a skilled job or apprenticeship after Level 2. This two-year, employment-focused programme aims to give students training designed around real jobs and industries, helping them become work-ready and confident about starting in work.
• The Further Study Pathway– for students who plan to continue in education and progress onto Level 3 courses like A levels, T Levels, or V levels, but who may need more time to prepare, building confidence and strengthening their skills first. This pathway aims to bridge the gap to higher-level study, helping students prepare for their next step in education.

The government has launched a consultation seeking views on the design and implementation of these new pathways. The consultation closes on 12 January 2026 at 11:59pm.

The full set of reforms can be found in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper.

RICS Acting President, Nick Maclean, commented: “RICS welcomes the government’s commitment to ensuring that the UK’s skills agenda is aligned with the needs of the future economy.

“However, the current shortages across the surveying profession are already constraining sector capacity, as evidenced by the findings of our industry skills survey published this week.

“As new qualifications such as V levels are introduced, it is essential that their development is informed by the lessons learned from the rollout of T levels. This must be accompanied by substantial investment in teaching capacity to secure high-quality delivery and to ensure that young people are supported and inspired to progress into further education – whether through apprenticeships or degree programmes. RICS will assist the government and industry stakeholders at each step of the process.”

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