Approach to recognition for V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates​

Overview

Foreword by Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, the Chief Regulator at Ofqual 

Ofqual is responsible for making sure that qualifications can be trusted by students, employers, universities and the wider public. That trust depends on both the design and the delivery of a qualification. It is vital that awarding organisations have the right expertise, systems and governance to develop robust qualifications and deliver them well. New vocational qualifications are providing clearer pathways to students aged 16 and over. V Levels let students explore a sector before deciding where to specialise, providing a different option to the more occupationally-focused T Levels. Together with A Levels they give every student a credible path to higher study, higher technical training or a higher apprenticeship. At level 2, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates open up further routes, towards level 3 study or into employment. 

When we consulted earlier this year on the recognition criteria awarding organisations would need to meet to offer these new qualifications, we said we would revisit our approach once the detailed regulatory conditions for V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates had been published. Those conditions are now in place, and this consultation now sets out our proposals for recognition going forward. The bar must stay high enough to protect the trust these qualifications depend on, while not placing unnecessary restrictions on the market for awarding organisations capable of delivering them well. Our goal is to ensure we have struck the right balance. 

We would encourage awarding organisations, schools, colleges, students and employers to read these proposals and share their views. 

Proposals at a glance 

In June 2026, Ofqual introduced new Criteria for Recognition for V Level, Foundation Certificate and Occupational Certificate qualifications. The new criteria are designed to support the safe introduction of these new national qualifications, to ensure that awarding organisations seeking recognition have the capacity, capability and governance required to deliver the first tranche of the new qualifications. 

When we introduced the Criteria for Recognition for V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, we committed to review our approach to recognition in time for the second tranche of the new qualifications (those that will be first taught in September 2028). 

This consultation seeks views on Ofqual’s proposals to: 

1. For V Levels, retain the Criteria for Recognition for V Levels, at least until first award of the new qualifications, and  

2. For Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, revert to using the original Criteria for Recognition for the second tranche of the new qualifications onwards.  

Audience

This consultation is open to anyone who may wish to make representation but may be of most interest to:  

• awarding organisations who intend to offer V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, and their representative bodies 

• schools, colleges, students, and their representative bodies 

• further and higher education institutions and their representative bodies 

• employers and their representative bodies