V-level qualification cautiously welcomed by education experts

Plans for post-16 vocational V-level qualifications including a travel and tourism course have been cautiously welcomed by the sector.

Abta is to meet members of the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group and awarding body Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE) next week to work through the proposals.

The Department for Education is seeking responses to its further education consultation by January 12, 2026, with a view to introducing V-levels for level 3 courses starting in 2027. It has identified 15 initial subjects, including travel and tourism.

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Students would take a mix of V-levels and A-levels, or a single T-level, equivalent to three A-levels. 

The government has already announced plans to defund level 3 BTecs in travel and tourism, and aviation, but it is understood these will retain funding until new courses start. There is no T-level for travel.

In a statement, Abta said: “We’re hopeful this [consultation] will be positive news for level 3 travel and tourism qualifications but need to understand the details first.”

Academics welcomed the proposals but reiterated the need for a T-level in travel and tourism to replace the level 3 BTec extended diploma, a one-subject, full-time course worth three A-levels.

John Garside, lecturer in travel and tourism and aviation at Birmingham Metropolitan College, said: “I was really pleased to see travel and tourism on the list of courses; however, it is very different from the current BTec. Hopefully, it will lead to the opportunity for a bigger qualification, like a T-level, down the line.”

He noted demand to study travel and tourism was rising “massively” but said it was vital there were courses to excite students to start a career in the sector. “That’s what the industry needs,” he added.

Peter Robinson, head of events, tourism and hospitality management at Leeds Beckett University, agreed: “The ideal end point would be a travel and tourism T-level but unless we can prove there is demand for V-levels we cannot make the argument for a T-level.”

Meanwhile, no decision has been made on whether a new level 3 travel and tourism qualification developed by industry and NCFE will start in 2026.