Regulating post-16 VTQs at L2 and L3

Closes 2 Jul 2026

F Certs and Occ Certs Qualification design (Qualification content)

Qualification content

DfE is developing content for Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates and is currently consulting on the content for those intended to be first taught from September 2027 and you can see this here. The content to be covered within a qualification and the way in which it is assessed are important for ensuring the intended qualification purposes are met and the qualifications are consistent and comparable.

Proposal

We propose to require awarding organisations to comply with the DfE set content and any related requirements, and to explain how they have done so as part of their assessment strategy. This will mean we can review up front the extent to which content is appropriately covered as part of accreditation. Requiring adherence to the content and any other related requirements will support other requirements we propose to put in place, including those relating to assessment.

Our proposed Conditions FC6 and OC6 are set out in Annexes B and C.

28. Do you have any comments on the proposal to require awarding organisations to comply with the DfE set content for Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates?