Qualifications reforms
Qualifications in the UK across the four nations are currently undergoing and anticipating reform. Here you'll find information and support materials about the key changes.
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Qualifications reforms
Qualifications in the UK – across the four nations – are currently undergoing and anticipating reform. Here you'll find information and support materials about the key changes.
In the coming years it's likely that significant numbers of students will be applying to higher education with new qualifications and new combinations of qualifications.
Universities and colleges will be reviewing their entry requirements and offer-making approaches, and advisers will be supporting applicants to navigate this.
Qualifications reforms across the four nations
England
Recent reforms
The Department for Education has been implementing reforms to qualifications for post-16 learners at level 3 and below. Qualifications that overlapped with T Levels had been due to have public funding removed in either 2024 or 2025, with wider reforms at level 3 also taking place in 2025. In July 2024, the Secretary of State for Education announced a review into the reform of post-16 qualifications. The review considered the level 3 qualifications due to have public funding removed by 31 July 2025. You can check which qualifications will be retained and for how long here and find out more in DfE’s Qualifications Reform Toolkit.
You can compare all post-16 study options in this table that DfE have produced.
New qualifications include the following, which vary in size:
Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) are new qualifications that are available for the first time in 2025. It is an academic qualification with elements of applied learning in a range of subjects at Level 3.
Reformed technical qualifications include Technical Occupational Entry Qualifications which are new qualifications for 2025 delivering competence against an occupational standard not covered by T Levels.
Technical Occupational Additional Specialist Qualifications are specialist Level 3 technical qualifications, which go beyond the contents of an occupational standard and allows a learner to develop additional knowledge and competencies and specialise within a sector.
All new and reformed qualifications have UCAS tariff points allocated using the stand methodology and are listed in the tariff tables.
For advisers, some entry requirements are listed by providers on UCAS and on their own websites. If you are not sure, contact providers directly to discuss how any new and reformed qualification could support progression to their course(s).
For providers, new and reformed qualifications could be included as part of applications from the 2026 cycle, with this increasing year on year as the number of students taking them increases. Consider what these qualifications mean for your entry requirements and admissions policies. For guidance on things to think about, see here.
Consultation on future reforms
UK Government is seeking views on the planned design and implementation of new pathways for 16–19-year-olds, including:
V Level qualifications: A new vocational pathway at Level 3, sitting alongside A levels and T Levels.
Two new Level 2 pathways: The Further Study pathway (to support progression to Level 3) and the Occupational pathway (for progression to employment).
The consultation is open until 12 January 2026: Post-16 level 3 and below pathways - GOV.UK.
Wales
National 14-16 qualifications have been reformed in Wales including GCSEs, VCSEs, Foundation qualifications and the Skills Suite. These range of qualifications support the aims and purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.
New made for Wales GCSEs: The reformed GCSEs are being introduced in two waves in September 2025 and September 2026 with the first awarding of qualification in 2027. The new suite of GCSEs will be available in Cymraeg and English and have an increased range in assessment methods. In September 2025, a consultation was announced on the future range of science GCSEs that should be made available in Wales. Current GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics will continue to be available while new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) qualifications are embedded in schools.
VCSEs: From September 2027, 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales will be able to take the new-style VCSE qualifications in a range of work-related subjects. VCSEs will span both Level 1 and Level 2, the same as GCSEs.
Skills Suite: From September 2027, the Skills Suite, comprising Skills for Life, Skills for Work and a Personal Project (replacing Skills Challenge certificate), will be available to 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales. Learners can take Skills Suite units alongside their GCSEs, VCSEs and/or Foundation qualifications.
Foundation qualifications: From September 2027, new Foundation qualifications will be available to 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales in a range of general and work-related subjects. Foundation qualifications are for learners who may not feel ready for GCSE and/or VCSE study and they will span Entry Level and Level 1 (with the exception of the Cymraeg qualifications).
The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is a direct replacement for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and was first awarded in Summer 2025. This qualification is a direct replacement for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate which was awarded for the last time in summer 2024. The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales carries the same UCAS points as an A level and is recognised by universities across the UK and globally as an A level equivalent.
Qualifications Wales has a guide to qualifications in Wales for higher education admissions, which includes further details and an implementation timeline.
Northern Ireland
In September 2025, the Education Minister in Northern Ireland launched a public consultation the future of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications offered by CCEA. Proposals for change include: removing AS levels and moving to a two-year A level structure, aligning the CCEA GCSE grading scale with England’s 9–1 scale to improve clarity and recognition and moving most GCSE and A Level qualifications to a linear structure, so exams are taken at the end of the two-year course. The consultation is open until 13 November 2025.
Further details are available here: Consultation on the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels launched | Department of Education. The Education Minister has said that following the consultation, he will confirm the policy framework by early 2026 which will provide greater clarity on any changes and next steps.
Scotland
Following an independent review of qualifications and assessment, Scottish Government has a programme of reform for curriculum, qualifications and assessment. This includes:
Review of National Qualifications. A newly launched Curriculum Improvement Cycle is setting up a process for systematically appraising the curriculum in Scotland.
Reform of National Qualifications in the senior phase, with a reduced focus on exams, where appropriate, and inclusion of digital assessments. Level 4 and 5 qualifications available by 2031 and revised Level 6 and 7 qualifications by 2032.
Reviewing of assessment methods for use in National Courses, with a change in approach in the first subjects from 2026.
Reviewing and rationalising the current qualifications portfolio including product type, to strive towards parity of esteem between different pathways.
New qualifications body - Qualifications Scotland
The Education (Scotland) Bill, published on June 5, 2024, establishes a new qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland will replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and will assume the responsibilities and functions of SQA.
It is expected to be operational in Autumn 2025.