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Open Consultation Published 23 Apr 2026 Ofqual ↗ View on GOV.UK

Regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3

Ofqual wants your views on the proposed regulatory approach, Conditions, requirements and guidance for a range of vocational and technical qualifications.

Opened 23 Apr 2026
Closed 2 Jul 2026
▤ Verbatim text from source document

A consultation on Ofqual’s proposed regulatory approach, Conditions, requirements and guidance for:

  • Level 3 V Levels
  • Level 2 Foundation Certificates
  • Level 2 Occupational Certificates
  • Retaking Core Exams in Technical Qualifications within T Levels

Consultation structure

This consultation is split into 6 parts and seeks views on both our proposed regulatory approach, and the specific Conditions, requirements and guidance we propose to set to require these approaches.

  • The introduction explains the background to DfE’s proposals, Ofqual’s role in them and when they will be implemented
  • Part 1 explains our overall proposed regulatory approach.
  • Part 2 explains our proposed approach to regulating V Levels. Annex A includes the draft Conditions, requirements and guidance proposed to do this
  • Part 3 explains our proposed approach to regulating Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates. Annexes B and C include the draft Conditions, requirements and guidance proposed to do this
  • Part 4 explains our proposed approach to the use of on-screen assessment in V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.
  • Part 5 sets out proposed changes relating to Technical Qualifications within T Levels to allow individual parts of the Core Exam sub-component to be taken separately for students retaking assessments. Annex D includes the draft updated assessment requirements proposed to do this.
  • Part 6 sets out our assessment of the equalities and regulatory impacts of these proposals.