Vocational Qualifications Bulletin May 2026
Welcome to your Vocational Qualifications Bulletin for May 2026. This update covers, digital credentials, staying on track for results and your usual qualification and quality assurance news.
Welcome to your May edition
As assessments are well under way, I wanted to say thank you for the work you’ve done to prepare learners for the summer assessment series.
We know this is a busy time for teachers, senior leaders and exams officers, and your support is key to helping students succeed.
Looking ahead to summer, we’re sharing more about digital credentials. This is an exciting opportunity for students studying some vocational qualifications to receive a digital credential alongside their results. Read on to find out more about what’s available and what you need to do to make sure your students receive it.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll make sure you have the key updates and reminders you need, so you can stay on track and focus on supporting students through the final stages of the year.
Best wishes,
Hayley White
Vice President Assessment, Standards and Services
Dates for your diary
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|
| 15 May | Deadline to submit learner work and marks for BTEC Tech Award summer internally assessed components |
| 5 July | BTEC claim deadline for students expecting a summer 2026 result.
|
| 5 August | BTEC Level 3 National results released to centres under embargo |
| 13 August | BTEC Level 3 National results released to students |
| 14 August | BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts, Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Tech Award results released to centres under embargo |
| 20 August | BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts, Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Tech Award results released to students |
In this month's update
Students receiving some vocational qualifications this summer can also receive a digital credential; a verified, shareable online record of their achievement.
To make sure eligible students receive their digital credential, you need to add student email addresses in Edexcel Online before results day.
What you need to do now
Add a student centre email address for each student in Edexcel Online, and you can do this in bulk.
If you’ve missed the earlier update, you can read the full email for details, including eligibility, FAQs and step‑by‑step guidance.
We’ll also be sharing more guidance shortly, so you’ll have everything you need to support students confidently.
Thank you to all of you who we asked to complete your cohort confirmation, your second termtime checkpoint. We now have a fully accurate picture of all students expecting results in August and can be sure that everyone who needs an entry for an external assessment has one before the exam series gets under way.
Now all you need to do is keep on top of your summer cohort and be ready to submit your certification claims by the 5 July deadline.
Use the ‘centre action’ column in VQ Learner Tracker as your guide to see exactly what you need to do for each student between now and July. We’ll keep in touch to help you meet the 5 July deadline and make sure everyone gets their results on time in August.
How to use the centre action column to see what you need to do
The final timetables for the winter and summer 2027 series are now available for you to download. Make sure you use these over the previous provisional timetables.
DfE post‑16 pathways: implementation plan published
The Department for Education has published its post‑16 pathways implementation plan, setting out changes to the technical and vocational qualifications landscape from 2027.
There are no changes to funding for centres in England for the 2026/2027 academic year.
We'll update our funding guides to reflect the implementation plan and explain what it means for you and your learners.
Read the post-16 pathways implementation plan on GOV.UK
Keep up to date with the reforms:
Have your say: open consultations
There are two open consultations that will shape future post‑16 vocational and technical qualifications. Taking part helps make sure the needs of centres are reflected.
Department for Education subject content consultation
Covering Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Digital, Education and Early Years, Finance and Accounting, and Hospitality.
Deadline: 4 June 2026
Have your say: DfE subject content consultation
Ofqual consultation on regulating post‑16 vocational and technical qualifications
Ofqual have also launched a consultation on regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3.
Deadline: 2 July 2026
Tech Awards extended to 2030 in England and Northern Ireland
We’ve extended all BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Awards in England and Northern Ireland to 31 August 2030. Tech Awards aren’t currently affected by reforms at this level, so you can continue to deliver them with confidence.
You’ll continue to have access to high-quality resources, guidance and training to support your delivery.
Explore our BTEC Tech Award resources
Submitting cash-ins for the January series
If students sat their external assessment in January, you had until 16 April to submit a cash-in on Edexcel Online to claim their certification for that series. If you’ve missed this deadline, you should contact us through the Pearson support portal as soon as possible. You won’t be able to submit a cash-in for these students for summer without students re-sitting their external assessment.
You can submit cash-ins for the summer series on Edexcel Online until 5 July.
Need help understanding cash-ins?
Read our FAQs
Don't forget about the terminal rule
The terminal assessment rule means students have to take their external assessment at the end of their qualification; i.e., the same series in which they'll certificate. This means students must sit their internal assessments either before or in the same series as the external assessment.
Early Childhood Development: updated specification available
You can now download the updated specification for the BTEC L3 AAQ National in Early Childhood Development.
Take a moment to review the summary of changes at the start of the document and share this update with your delivery teams so everyone is working with the correct version.
We’ve also updated the sample assessment material for Unit 2. The Pearson-set assignment briefs are unchanged.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma for Managers withdrawal
We’re withdrawing the BTEC Level 3 Diploma for Managers this year.
You can still register learners until 31 August 2026, and existing learners will have until 31 August 2029 to certificate.
The BTEC Level 3 Certificate for Managers will remain available. We’ll publish an updated version of the specification soon for learners starting delivery from 1 September 2026.
Catch up on all the news
Read May's T Level update for all the latest news, key dates and sector updates.
Missing out? Sign up to T Level updates to get the latest news to your inbox each month.
Standards verification: what to do next
The deadline for first sampling for BTEC Level 2 Firsts and Level 3 Nationals has now passed. If you’ve submitted learner work and your standards verifier reports are submitted or pending, you’re on track for timely certification.
If anything hasn’t gone to plan, get in touch as soon as possible. We can help you resolve issues and keep certification on schedule for your students.
Join us at an event near you this summer
Our quality nominee networks are now under way, with the first events held in Belfast earlier this month. Centres shared practical approaches to managing challenges ahead of claims and results, and discussed where AI can – and can’t – support feedback to students.
Events continue across the UK throughout June and July. They’re a chance to:
- hear how other centres are handling common issues
- ask questions ahead of claims and results
- stay confident about standards verification and quality processes
Find an event near you and book your place
Meet your VQAM
If you have any quick questions or would benefit from some one-to-one support, you can book a short Teams call with your vocational quality assurance manager.
Choose a 15‑minute slot at a time that suits you to talk through issues, sense‑check your approach or get reassurance on next steps.
HTQ approval confirmed for Automotive and Motorsport Engineering Higher Nationals
Skills England has approved two new titles for delivery from September 2026:
BTEC Higher National in Automotive Engineering for England (2026)
BTEC Higher National in Motorsport Engineering for England (2026)
This approval confirms that both qualifications meet employer‑led standards aligned to occupational requirements, supporting progression into skilled employment and strengthening their value for learners.
Civil Engineering Higher Nationals in Wales
The BTEC Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering (2023) will be included in the updated Level 4 Civil Engineering apprenticeship pathway for centres delivering in Wales.
This strengthens alignment between Higher National delivery and apprenticeships, helping you offer clearer progression routes that meet employer needs. You should consider this inclusion when planning current and future delivery in Wales.
BTEC Higher Nationals in Civil Engineering
BTEC L7 Strategic Management and Leadership | New specification published
Issue 3 of the programme specification is now available to download from our website, and you'll find a summary of the updates to this issue in the front pages.
Download the updated BTEC L7 Strategic Management and Leadership specification
Keep secure test content protected
We’re now entering the main testing period for Entry Level Functional Skills, ESOL, English for Speakers of Welsh and EDSQ. The centre‑assessed tests for these qualifications are live assessments and must be kept secure at all times.
Only download test materials from the secure tests page when learners are ready to take them, and never share content using non‑secure methods, including email.
Any suspected breach of test security will be investigated and may lead to learner results being removed or action being taken against your centre.
For full guidance on handling and storing test materials, refer to the relevant Instructions for Conducting Controlled Assessments handbook for Entry Level Functional Skills, ESOL, or EDSQ.
Standards verification sampling via SharePoint (September 2025 to August 2026)
For Speaking and Listening, ESOL, English for Speakers of Welsh, EDSQ and Entry Level Functional Skills, standards verification sampling should take place via SharePoint wherever possible.
Once you’ve agreed a sampling date, your standards verifier will request access to your SharePoint folder ahead of the sample.
Accessing SharePoint
You'll receive an email with instructions and a Microsoft invitation from invites@ukqualifications.pearson.com. You’ll need to accept the invitation and set up multi-factor authentication before you can access your folder.
If you haven’t received an invitation, check your junk or spam folder. You may also need your IT team to whitelist:
- invites@ukqualifications.pearson.com
- no-reply@sharepointonline.com
- account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com
If your centre uses Google Workspace, SharePoint isn’t currently compatible. Contact your standards verifier or Pearson Support to agree an alternative approach.
Have you heard from your standards verifier?
If you haven’t been contacted, let us know as soon as possible. The deadline to complete sampling activities is 30 June 2026, and early contact helps make sure there’s capacity to complete your sampling on time.
Level 1 and 2 English: Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) OSCA accreditation
Make sure that all your lead internal verifiers have completed their OSCA training. They need to complete this every year, even if all assessors are the same as the previous year. The monthly OSCA windows for this academic year are open until the end of July.
Once a lead internal verifier completes their OSCA training, they’ll get their accreditation at the start of the following month. Your students won’t receive their certificates unless all lead internal verifiers have completed their OSCA training.
Entry Level Functional Skills
If you deliver Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 English, your lead internal verifier must complete OSCA training so certificates can be issued.
There are three OSCA windows left this academic year: May (currently open), June and July. If training isn’t completed by the end of July, you won’t be able to re‑accredit until September, with accreditation starting in October 2026.
OSCA accreditation is annual. Even if your assessors haven’t changed since last year, you must re‑accredit. Once you’ve passed OSCA training, accreditation is applied at the start of the following month. Without OSCA accreditation, your learners won’t receive certificates.
Digital Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills: key differences
If you’re planning to deliver Digital Functional Skills, or this is your first year delivering it, make sure you have the correct programme approval before registering or teaching learners.
Digital Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills are separate qualifications with different assessment models. Registering learners on the wrong qualification may delay assessment or certification.
What's the difference?
- Digital Functional Skills (2023): assessed by a secure external test; no internal assessment or external verification.
Entry Level 3 - 610/3359/5
Level 1 - 610/3358/3
- Essential Digital Skills Qualification (2020): internally assessed, with a sample of learner work externally verified by a standards verifier.
Entry Level 3 - 603/6840/8
Level 1 - 603/6839/1
You need separate approval for each qualification. Need help checking what your centre is currently approved to deliver? Follow our support article:
Quality assurance dates for your diary
- Standards verification activity: November 2025 – July 2026 (although timings may vary by programme)
- Lead standards verifier reviews (if applicable): dates agreed directly with your centre
Not sure if you’re in scope for a lead standards verifier review? See pages 51–55 of the Work Based Learning Centre Guide to Quality Assurance 2025–2026 handbook.
Live training to support your BTEC delivery
New live training sessions are now available to support delivery of BTEC Level 1 Introductory and BTEC Level 1 and 2 Home Cooking Skills.
Designed for new centres or as a refresher, these sessions focus on the key components of each qualification and practical delivery considerations.
Teaching the core A2 unit in BTEC Level 1 Introductory qualifications
24 June, 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Book your place
Delivering an effective BTEC Level 1 and Level 2 Home Cooking Skills programme
Increased demand for apprenticeship assessments
As we approach the end of the academic year, we’re seeing a rise in requests for apprenticeship assessments.
If you’re planning a face-to-face assessment, please share your preferred dates as early as you can — ideally at least four weeks in advance. This gives us the best chance of securing an assessor. While we’ll always do what we can to support your requested dates, assessor availability can’t be guaranteed due to existing commitments.
If a booking is declined in ACE360 (including any alternative dates suggested), please contact the apprentice to agree further suitable dates. Once confirmed, upload these to ACE360 so we can review and progress the request.
Thank you for your support in helping assessments run as smoothly as possible.
We have a range of recruitment opportunities available to our existing associates across all vocational qualifications, including BTEC, Functional Skills, End Point Assessments and T Levels. Whether you’re looking to expand your experience, take on new responsibilities or get involved in different areas of assessment, there are a variety of roles to suit your skills and interests.