Industry welcomes confirmation of T and V-level courses in travel and tourism

The industry has welcomed news that travel and tourism T-level and V-level courses will launch in 2030. 

The trade and academics hailed  the confirmation as a “fantastic opportunity” to attract more young people into the sector and a victory for cross-sector lobbying.

The V-level – mooted last autumn in a government consultation – will launch at the same time as a two-year T-level, an industry-specific, full-time course worth three A-levels, which will replace the current Level 3 BTec extended diploma.

More: Comment: What the future holds for Level 3 travel and tourism qualifications [Dec 25]

V-level in travel and tourism ‘might be years in the making’ [Nov 25]

Comment: Dedicated courses are the gold standard [Oct 25]

Confirmation of the T-level qualification follows lobbying by the travel and education sectors after news BTecs in travel and tourism would be defunded. The Department for Education has confirmed defunding will not be until at least 2030. 

Travel and tourism is among 15 initial V-levels and will be rolled out in the third wave of subjects for the 2030-31 academic year.

Students will be able to take a mix of V-levels and A-levels, or a single T-level. The T-level travel and tourism course will include industry placements.

Vicki Wolf, head of education and career development at Abta, welcomed the news, adding: “Offering a broader spectrum of qualifications that appeal to a wider array of students is a positive for attracting future travel professionals.”

John Garside, a lecturer in travel and tourism and aviation at BMet college in Sutton Coldfield, agreed, adding: “The work and support to raise awareness of the original changes and defunding of Level 3 qualifications including travel and tourism has been a key factor in the introduction of two exciting new qualifications.”

Dr Peter Robinson, head of the Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University, said news of a T-level came as a “huge relief”.

He said: “Our original concern was the BTec would not be replaced. This would have prevented thousands of young people from undertaking a vocational qualification within travel and tourism – something that is a vital pathway into industry.”

He called the V-level a “great additional qualification” for young people interested in the industry but keen to study A-levels alongside a vocational qualification.

Qualification-awarding body NCFE said the new schemes showed the government had heard the sector’s pleas “loud and clear”.