Fareham College, part of South Hampshire College Group, is launching brand-new V Level qualifications alongside selected A Levels for the 2027-2028 academic year, giving students the opportunity to combine vocational and academic study within a personalised Level 3 programme.
The three career pathways - Digital, Education and Finance & Accounting - represent an exciting new curriculum model for school leavers, allowing them to pursue career destinations without narrowing their options too early. These programmes provide the technical skills and expertise that employers need in addition to the academic tools that universities are looking for, ensuring a well-rounded education that provides multiple routes to success.
Students will study three subjects over two years within their chosen career pathway, combining V Levels and A Levels to suit their ambitions. They will learn from industry experts in the college’s state-of-the-art specialist facilities.
The new V Level and A Level career pathways have been developed in response to changes in the post-16 qualification landscape, as well as the evolving needs and skill demands of local employers. They will complement the College Group’s existing T Level and wider Level 3 vocational offer, providing students with greater flexibility and choice in how they prepare for their next steps.
Pete Joddrell, Deputy Chief Executive and Group Principal at South Hampshire College Group, said: “As a Qualification Pioneer College, we are delighted to be introducing these new V Level and A Level career pathways at Fareham College, giving students greater choice and flexibility in shaping their futures. By combining the academic foundations needed for further study with the practical and career-focused skills that employers value, we are offering students the best of both worlds. These pathways reflect our commitment to providing an ambitious, personalised education that builds skills and confidence, opens doors to a wide range of opportunities and enables every student to fulfil their potential.”
Jo Allen-Kotze, Lead for Curriculum Development & Innovation at South Hampshire College Group, added: "At South Hampshire College Group, we have high ambitions for our students and recognise that progression routes are becoming increasingly diverse. Our new V Level and A Level pathways at Fareham College are creating more flexible, personalised routes to success. By combining academic rigour with career-focused learning, students can build personalised study programmes that reflect their interests, support their ambitions and prepare them for university, apprenticeships and future employment."
Aron Truss, Senior Teaching Fellow in Business and Management at University of Portsmouth, said: “It's really exciting to see how South Hampshire College Group are introducing V Levels alongside A Levels, which we believe will help set students up for studying business subjects at university. Offering students a genuine choice between academic and vocational pathways reflects the diverse ways in which young people learn and prepare for their futures. For us as a local university with a strong focus on learning, teaching and student success, this creates an exciting opportunity to build stronger educational pathways across the region. Capitalising on the new qualifications which will focus on digital systems and data, as well as elements of accounting and finance, students will be well-placed to continue developing their skills in business at the University of Portsmouth after completing their courses at South Hampshire College Group."
The launch marks the first phase of a wider programme of curriculum development across South Hampshire College Group, with further V Level opportunities planned for 2028 at Eastleigh College, Southampton College and CEMAST.
To learn more about V Levels at South Hampshire College Group, or to apply for September 2027 entry, please visit: www.shcg.ac.uk/vlevels.