England’s post-16 qualifications landscape is entering another significant period of reform with the introduction of V Levels. Our new report draws on research conducted by Edge Foundation with FE practitioners and a recent roundtable discussion held with FE stakeholders including, teachers, college principals, employers, awarding bodies and more. The roundtable constitutes a snapshot of a moment in time that reflects the reaction in June 2026 to the planned introduction of this qualification.
V Levels – Reflect and Revise explores how lessons from the implementation of T Levels can inform the introduction of V Levels. It highlights the importance of clarity of purpose, practitioner preparedness, flexible learner pathways, realistic implementation planning and clear communication across the system. It follows a previous research report published by Edge in 2024, Student Voices: What are students saying about their experiences of T Levels? This research comes at a critical point in the development of England’s post-16 qualifications landscape. V Levels are now moving from policy development towards implementation, with the first qualifications in education, finance and digital due to be taught from September 2027.
The Government has published its implementation plan and qualification development is progressing, making now an important window when we can ensure that practitioner experience informs how the reforms are translated into practice. Our research on T Levels highlighted important lessons around communication, teaching and delivery, staff capacity, resources and learner progression. Capturing the views of FE practitioners and wider stakeholders before V Levels are introduced provides an opportunity to learn from T Levels and identify what colleges and staff need for successful implementation. Edge makes four clear policy recommendations based on the findings outlined in the report:
- Delay the introduction of the first V Level subjects until the 2028/29 academic year and use this pause to build a proper case for the transition .
- Allow learners greater flexibility to combine V Levels and other qualifications.
- Provide clear guidance on subject combinations and progression pathways.
- Ensure that providers are not left to shoulder ‘hidden’ implementation costs, by establishing a V Levels capital fund and a short-term funding uplift for providers.
V Levels offer an important opportunity for greater flexibility – but implementation must learn from T Levels. Colleges need clarity, time and investment to get V Levels right. Edge is calling for Government to “reflect and revise” before rollout. The report is based on survey data and a roundtable in June 2026, prior to the publication of the DfE's updated Post-16 pathways implementation plan in September 2026
