Post 16 Options: Technical Learning (now and in the future)
26th February 2026
What is Technical Learning?
It is a term used to describe post-16 learning at Level 2 or 3 that is directly linked to jobs or a wider industry- as opposed A-level which is academic.
T Levels (Level 3 courses) are now established in 20 different work areas.
Currently, there are many other alternative ‘technical’ qualifications at Level 2 and 3, including NVQs, Awards, Certificates and Diplomas delivered by awarding bodies such as BTECs, Cambridge Nationals and UALs.
Post-16, these alternative technical qualifications, as they are now, can be studied on their own as a single ‘full-time’ course, often at college or with a training provider, and sometimes at a sixth form. Depending on your GCSEs you might study at Level 2 first and then progress to Level 3.
Currently, in some very specific work-related subjects like the construction trades and hair and beauty, learners build up their skills from Level 1 and then progress up the levels.
Today, usually at sixth forms, Level 3 technical courses can also be studied as single or double awards alongside A-levels.
It’s clearly a confusing picture for young people, their families and professionals working within the education sector. This is why there are big changes coming up.
By 2028, the plan is to have 4 main technical learning options:
T Levels (Level 3)
As noted above, there are already 20 T Level subjects with a focus on specific work sectors taught at colleges and some sixth forms. They are equivalent to 3 A-levels and therefore you can only pick one subject. As different sectors and the need for specific future skills emerge, further T Levels may be developed. See our article on T Levels to find out more.
V Levels (Level 3)
V Levels will also have a focus on specific work sectors, however they will broken down into units equivalent to 1 A-level. This means that you will be able to ‘mix and match’ V Levels with A-levels where both are offered. It is possible that V Levels could be offered at 2 A-level equivalent (double award) or even 3 A-level equivalent (triple award) but we will have to wait and see if this happens when they start in 2027.
Level 2 ‘Further Study’ Pathway
In this pathway, students will take English and maths (as relevant), work on their independent study skills and be introduced to teaching and assignments at a Level 3 standard. Successful completion of this one year course will enable progression to T Levels, V Levels and/or A-levels.
Level 2 ‘Occupational’ Pathway
In this pathway, students will take English and maths (as relevant), develop their employability skills, take part in practical activities and gain experiences of the workplace. This will prepare students to progress directly into occupations that do not require qualifications higher than Level 2 e.g., bricklaying and hairdressing.
In the meantime (before the changes happen) what technical learning can I do?
Courses linked directly to specific jobs e.g. bricklaying, hairdressing and professional cookery. Often starting at Level 1 so you get the basics right before studying at Level 2 or 3. After the changes these courses will likely fall into the Level 2 ‘Occupational’ Pathway.
Courses at Level 2 or 3 focused on a wider industry e.g. engineering, health & social care, business, I.T. These qualifications are often referred to as BTECs or Cambridge Nationals, as well as Awards, Certificates and Diplomas. They are mainly taught at colleges, but also in sixth forms where they can be taken as smaller sized courses alongside A-levels. After the changes, these courses will become T Levels or V Levels.
T Levels which we have described above and have a separate article about here. T Levels will continue to be part of the new technical learning system.
What GCSE grades do I need to do a Technical course?
It depends what level of course you are applying for and the kind of technical course you want to study.
- Level 2 learning often require GCSE grades 3 to 4.
- Level 3 learning tends to require GCSE grades at 4 and above including English and maths.
As noted above, the level of course you can get onto with your grades depends on the kind of course you want to study.
- For job specific courses such as joinery, professional cookery and beauty you will likely start at Level 1 or 2 no matter what grades you achieve at GCSE. This is because you have to learn the basics about the job first.
- For T Levels you will usually have to achieve GCSEs at 5 or above, and in some cases higher e.g. a grade 6 might be preferred for courses related to engineering (because of the maths and science content).
No matter what you choose to do always check with each college or sixth form because they set their own entry requirements.
Why would I choose a Technical course?
There are a few main reasons why you might choose a technical course:
- You know what job or sector you want to work in
- You want to learn in a more hands-on and practical way
- You want to get more work experience
- You want to be mainly assessed by coursework in an on-going modular way (T Levels will definitely have some exams though)
Be aware that some Level 3 ‘industry wide’ courses have challenging academic modules. For example, the anatomy and physiology modules in health and social care, or the maths for engineers modules in engineering.
Can I do a Technical course and an Academic subject at the same time?
Yes. At some colleges and sixth forms you can mix and match academic A-levels and technical Level 3s. For example, some students might choose Level 3 Engineering and A-level Maths. Others might study Level 3 Health & Social Care with A-level Biology. You could also study Level 3s and A-levels together which do not relate to each other e.g. Level 3 Business and A-level Geography.
Please note that a T-Level is a full-time programme so you won’t be able to mix and match them. In other words you take just one T-level and nothing else.
Can I go to University with a Technical qualification?
Yes if you have done a Level 3 technical qualification you will be able to go to University, especially if the course was industry focused. However, job specific courses that teach you skills to do a job are less likely to have a relevant degree to study at University e.g. there isn’t a degree in bricklaying or plastering. That’s not to say you can’t ever go to University. In later life lots of people attend University as mature students, often having studied an Access to Higher Education course.
Whilst the existing technical learning system is like it is now, Level 3 courses will be accepted by Universities.
Once the changes to the system come into force (estimated to be 2028), rest assured that T Levels and V Levels will also get you into University or a Degree Apprenticeship.
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