Large size Level 3 vocational qualifications are changing in 2026

Two FE college students in a classroom

Don’t let defunding derail your students - our mixed study programmes have you covered.

Large sized Level 3 vocational qualifications in Applied Science, Health and Social Care and IT/Computing in post-16 study programmes will be defunded to teach from September 2026. How do these changes affect you and what are your options in these subjects for 2026?

One option is our AAQ mixed study programme. Our Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) qualifications are a robust solution for FE colleges looking to navigate these Level 3 qualification changes and offer an alternative that ensures students continue to access high-quality focused pathways into employment, apprenticeships or further education.

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Introducing Cambridge Advanced Nationals

Cambridge Advanced Nationals

Cambridge Advanced Nationals, our Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs), are for students aged 16-19 years and complement existing post-16 study programmes. Designed to better prepare students for entry into employment or higher education, they encourage students to:

  • Develop subject specific key knowledge, understanding, and skills
  • Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically
  • Develop valuable communication skills that are important in all aspects of further study and life
  • Develop transferable skills, such as evaluation, planning, presentation, and research skills
  • Develop independence and confidence in applying their knowledge and skills

Cambridge Advanced Nationals are currently available as:

  • 150/180 GLH Certificates (AS Level size)
  • 360 GLH Extended Certificates (A Level size)

Certificates are built in, so students who start late or leave early can still earn an AS Level-sized qualification by completing relevant units first.

UCAS Tariff Points

All our qualifications are worth UCAS Tariff points, and our qualifications are on the UCAS Tariff points calculator. Our handy table shows the UCAS tariff points awarded for Cambridge Advanced Nationals/Cambridge Technicals and A Levels for easy comparison.

Why choose Cambridge Advanced Nationals?

  • Full compensation grading: Every mark counts toward the final grade—no marks wasted.
  • Every mark matters: No hurdle elements. Performance across units and qualifications is fairly compensated.
  • Features teachers love: Includes visiting moderation, exams plus coursework, Pass/Merit/Distinction grading, and full support resources.
  • Pathways to university: Developed with teachers and universities to prepare students for Level 3 study and undergraduate success.
  • Complementary practical application: Works alongside A Levels, adding practical skills for clear progression to university.

Find out more

How do Cambridge Advanced Nationals fit into Level 3 mixed study programmes?

Cambridge Advanced Nationals can be combined in any way with A Levels, Cambridge Technicals, other Level 3 qualification or each other as a part of a post-16 mixed study programme.  

Here are some examples of mixed study programmes we can offer, which can be taught as alternatives to large Level 3 qualifications in Applied Science, Health and Social Care and IT/Computing.  

Applied Science

Applied Science 1Applied Science 2Applied Science 3

Progression routes include undergraduate degrees in:
  • BSc Biological/Biomedical Sciences
  • BA Life Sciences
  • BSc Allied Health ad Nursing
  

 

Health and Social Care

HSC 1HSC 2HSC 3a

Progression routes include undergraduate degrees in:
  • BSc Nursing (All strands)
  • BSc Midwifery
  • BA Social Work
  • BA Public Health
  • BSc Psychology of Sport
  • BSc Psychology of Sport

 

Computing, IT and Cyber Security

CompIT 1CompIT 2CompIT 3CompIT 4CompIT 5CompIT 6

Progression routes include undergraduate degrees in:
  • BA Business and IT
  • BA Digital Marketing
  • BA/BSc Information Management and Computer Networks
  • BA Business Analytics
  • BSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
  • BSc Cyber Security Management

 

Supporting you at every step 

Embarking on the journey of teaching a new qualification may seem overwhelming at first, but rest assured, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Whether it's getting started with teaching, planning your course, providing guidance for exams or offering post-results services, we have a wealth of resources, textbooks and training to assist you at every stage.

Teach Cambridge, our secure website for teachers, is where you’ll find all the assignment briefs and support available to you, so it’s essential you access and explore it.

Planning and teaching resources

Schemes of Work

Comprehensive schemes of work for every unit, covering all essentials to simplify your workload. We've broken down topics into manageable chunks, provided flexible and editable content, and packed in lesson ideas, resource links, assessment opportunities and subject knowledge support – so they’re perfect for all teachers including Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and non-subject specialists.

In our Schemes of Work you will find:

  • topics divided into manageable lessons with allocated guided learning hours (GLH)
  • flexible and editable content that is produced in Word format
  • lesson ideas with teacher-led activities, independent tasks, and group work
  • keywords, key terms, and learning outcomes per lesson
  • time-saving resource links for efficient planning
  • subject knowledge support covering key concepts, misconceptions, and enhancement tips.

Watch our video

Plus:
  • Curriculum planners
  • Teacher guides

Textbooks and resources

Cambridge Advanced Nationals are supported by endorsed and non-endorsed textbooks and external teaching resources from:

  • Cambridge
  • Zig Zag Eduaction
  • Eboru
  • Primrose Kitten

Assessment resources

  • Sample Assessment Materials
  • Practice papers - question papers from previous exams and specially created papers that closely replicate the look and feel of our exam papers.
  • Candidate style answers for exams - show you how marks or levels could be given and why, which should help you to prepare your students.
  • Candidate style work for NEA - provide examples of pass, merit and distinction level work, enabling you to identify gaps in student's work and help determine what they need to do to achieve the next level.
  • Comprehensive support for NEA - detailed guidance and online courses to build confidence in delivery, marking and moderation.

Getting started and Professional Development

Whether you’re new to Cambridge OCR, or you’ve been with us for a while, our professional development programme has been designed to help you to get to know and get the most from our qualifications – so that you can deliver them effectively and with confidence.

Whether you're considering switching to Cambridge OCR, or have recently become a part of our community, our 'Choosing Cambridge OCR' and 'Starting to Teach' events will provide you with the confidence and preparation you need to begin your journey smoothly.

Discover our range of both free and paid-for courses that will enrich your understanding of your qualification. Our events provide a series of interconnected steps that span the entire academic year, empowering you to build your own unique path towards progress:

  • Preparing for the exam
  • Preparing for the NEA
  • Exam Review
  • Ask the Subject Advisor
  • Exploring the exam
  • Exploring the NEA
  • Enhance your teaching
  • Ask the Moderator

Complement your funded 16-19 study programme with our Level 3 enrichment qualifications

We offer several curriculum enhancement qualifications at Level 3 that can be used to support students’ personal development and wider curriculum engagement. These include

Find out more

Group of FE students

Contact us

Thinking of switching to us or got a question about our post-16 mixed study programmes? Get in touch and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have:

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