20.01.2026: UK Music has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP, in response to the Government’s consultation on new post-16 pathways for 16 to 19-year-olds, including the proposed introduction of V Levels alongside A Levels and T Levels. 

The intervention follows a Government consultation on reforms outlined in the Post-16 education and skills white paper, which proposes replacing many existing vocational qualifications for 16–19-year-olds with a new “V Level” pathway from 2027. 

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Education, UK Music Chief Executive, Tom Kiehl, acknowledges the Government’s ambitions to strengthen vocational education pathways. However, consideration may be needed to ensure the proposals work for music and other creative subjects. 

The letter notes that the proposed link between V Levels and National Occupational Standards (NOS) does not easily align with the realities of music careers, which are typically portfolio-based and not organised around single job roles. Relevant occupational standards do not currently exist for many creative disciplines, particularly performance. 

UK Music have also raised questions around the proposed size and structure of V Levels. The proposals set V Levels as equivalent in size to a single A level. They must be flexible enough to allow for larger qualifications up to the size of three A levels, as existing vocational options currently do. This allows for qualifications in creative subjects such as music to offer more-in depth learning experiences that reflect the range of skills needed to work in the industry. 

The letter also raises questions about the proposed implementation timeline for these reforms, with first teaching planned from 2027. A 2027 introduction is not credible given the scale of change required. Providers, employers, and awarding organisations need certainty and time to develop high-quality qualifications. 

In the letter, Tom Kiehl writes: “The music industry, alongside higher education leaders, are clear that the current proposals do not yet provide a credible or workable pathway for developing then next generation of musicians, music production and technology specialists, and other music industry professionals. They must reconsider the scale, structure and timing of V Levels for creative subjects and to work directly with our sector to get this right.” 

To ensure that these qualifications work for the music industry and support our £8 billion sector, the Government must work more closely with the music industry and awarding bodies to get this right. 

You can read the letter in full here.