Post-16 Level 2 Vocational qualifications | Pearson qualifications

Post-16 Level 2 Vocational qualifications

Level 2 qualifications support 16–19-year-olds and adult learners to take confident steps towards their chosen careers. Each qualification helps learners build the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to progress to further study, an apprenticeship or employment. 

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This page provides you with:

  • the latest information about the post-16 qualification reform
  • a summary of the qualifications available now
  • a timeline for the future landscape

View our post-16 qualifications review page for latest updates

 

Post-16 reform: Introduction of new qualifications

The Department for Education has published its post‑16 pathways implementation plan. 

From 2027 the new Level 2 Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates will be introduced, with a phased rollout by subject area which will replace current Level 2 vocational qualifications and the T Level foundation year.  

Download our Guide to Funding and Support

We’ve included below a timeline summarising the implementation of these new qualifications:
2027/28

Occupational Certificates

  • Catering and Hospitality
  • Education and Early Years

Foundation Certificates

  • Digital
  • Education and Early Years
2028/29

Occupational certificates

  • Business and Administration
  • Care Services
  • Construction and the Built
    Environment
  • Digital
  • Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Finance and Administration
  • Health and Science
  • Sports and Leisure

Foundation certificates

  • Business, Administration and Law
  • Care Services
  • Construction and the Built
    Environment
  • Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Health and Science
  • Sports, Fitness and Exercise
    Science
2029/30

Occupational certificates

  •  Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Horticulture and Floristry

Foundation certificates

  • Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
  • Catering and Hospitality
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Protective Services
2030/31

Occupational certificates

  • Art and Performing Arts
  • Creative and Design
  • Travel and Tourism


Withdrawal of post-16 level 2 BTEC qualifications  

As the reformed qualifications are introduced, the current, relevant BTEC Firsts, BTEC Technicals and BTEC Skills qualifications will be withdrawn as they will no longer be eligible for funding. These withdrawals apply across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

Please refer to your dedicated funding guide:

 
BTEC Firsts
Business    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/4786/0

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Business

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6815/2

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Business

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6816/4

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Business

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/0171/4

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Business

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Construction    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/6817/6

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Construction and the Built Environment

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/7048/1

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/0258/5

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Engineering    
 

QN Number

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/4788/4

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Engineering

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6628/3

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Engineering

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6630/1

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Engineering

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/0545/8

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Engineering

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Health and social care    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/6311/7

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Health and Social Care

31/07/2028

31/07/2032

600/6312/9

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/0170/2

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Health and Social Care

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Hospitality    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/7044/4

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Hospitality

31/07/2027

31/07/2029
ICT      

QN Number

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/4789/6

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Information and Creative Technology

31/07/2027

31/07/2029

600/6071/2

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Information and Creative Technology

31/07/2027

31/07/2029

600/6072/4

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Information and Creative Technology

31/07/2027

31/07/2029

601/0169/6

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Information and Creative Technology

31/07/2027

31/07/2029
Public services    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

601/0926/9

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Public Services

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

601/3258/9

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Public Services

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

601/3259/0

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Public Services

31/07/2029

31/07/2031
Science    
 

QN Number

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/4796/3

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Application of Science

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/4787/2

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Principles of Applied Science

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6318/X

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Applied Science

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/4531/6

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Applied Science

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Sport    
 

QN Number

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

600/4779/3

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6819/X

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Sport

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

600/6820/6

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Sport

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

601/0232/9

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in Sport

 

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
BTEC Technical
Business and Digital    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/0481/9

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Business Administration

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

603/0878/3

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Digital Technology

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

603/0510/1

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in IT Support

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

603/1900/8

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Marketing

31/07/2028

31/07/2030

603/0482/0

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Business Enterprise

31/07/2028

31/07/2030
Early years    
 

QN Number

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

610/4251/1

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for Early Years Practitioners (Diploma) 

31/07/2027

31/07/2029
Land-based    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/0420/0

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Animal Care

31/07/2029

31/07/2030

603/1211/7

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Equine Studies

31/07/2029

31/07/2030

603/1907/0

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Agriculture

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

603/2657/8

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Blacksmithing

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

603/1906/9

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Countryside Studies

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

603/2719/4

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

603/1908/2

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Horticulture

31/07/2029

31/07/2031
BTEC Level 2 Skills
Art, Design and Creative Media Skills    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/5543/8

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Art and Design Skills

 

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5544/X

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Art and Design Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5547/5

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5545/1

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Creative Media Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5546/3

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Creative Media Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5548/7

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032
ESports    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/5804/X

 

 

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in ESports

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5805/1

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in ESports

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5803/8

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award in Esports

31/07/2030

31/07/2032
Music and Performing Arts    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/1901/X

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/2475/2

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Music Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5530/X

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award in Music Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5532/3

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Music Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5533/5

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Music Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

              

603/5535/9

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Performing and Production Arts Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5537/2

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing and Production Arts Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032

603/5538/4

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award in Performing and Production Arts Industry Skills

31/07/2030

31/07/2032
Public Services    
 

QN Number 

Title

Registration end date

Certification end date

603/6006/9

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Preparation for Public Services

31/07/2029

31/07/2031

603/6007/0

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Preparation for Public Services

31/07/2029

31/07/2031


View the current qualifications in your sector

We have four different qualification suites available:

See list below for what is currently available in the various sectors.

Useful links

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Delivering BTEC in Wales or Northern Ireland

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