Qualification reform
Qualifications in the UK are currently undergoing reform and we have outlined some of the key changes here to help students make decisions about which qualifications to choose when thinking about applying to the University of York.
V Levels
The government will be introducing new Level 3 vocational qualifications called V Levels in September 2027, which can be taken alongside A Levels. V Levels are the same size as an A Level and take two years to complete, so the first group of students taking V levels will progress to university in 2029. It is anticipated that we will be able to accept V Levels in combination with A Levels for entry to many of our undergraduate courses, just as we currently accept other vocational qualifications like BTECs and Cambridge Technicals. However, as the course content for V Levels isn’t available yet we are unable to provide detailed entry requirements. As soon as more information is released, we will update our course pages with specific entry requirements.
Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
AAQs are the most recent version of BTECs (introduced in 2025) but they are not expected to continue to run once a V Level in the same subject has been introduced. The University of York will accept BTEC Level 3 National (AAQ) Extended Certificates and Cambridge Advanced Nationals AAQ Extended Certificate in combination with additional Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels for courses without essential subject requirements. Where there is an essential subject, some courses may have grade requirements in specific units within the AAQ, or may ask for additional specific qualifications.
Please contact ug-admissions@york.ac.uk to see if your specific qualification combination is acceptable for the course you wish to apply for.
T Levels
T-Levels were introduced in 2020 and are two-year technical courses taken after GCSEs which are equivalent in size to three A Levels. The various T Level subjects have been individually assessed for their suitability for admission to the University of York and acceptable subjects and grade requirements are listed on our course pages.