Level 3 Award in Oracy

Our Level 3 Award in Oracy is designed for students aged 16 and over who are enrolled in a full-time post-16 study programme. It supports the development of essential oracy skills to aid progression into higher education and the workplace.

Strong oracy skills - such as confident speaking and active listening - empower students to become effective communicators. These skills provide lifelong educational, economic, and social values - not just in education and employment, but in everyday life.

For first teaching from September 2026.

Content covered by the qualification includes:

Participating in discussions
Active and reflective listening
Planning and structuring presentations
Managing language and tone
Presentation delivery skills

Interested in teaching this qualification?

Let us know at: customerdevelopment@cambridge.org

Oracy is an essential skill that underpins young people’s learning, confidence, and future success. In today’s highly connected, dialogue-driven workplaces, developed oracy skills and communication confidence are highly sought after. Young people who are confident to apply developed essential skills, such as oracy, benefit from improved employment outcomes.

Richard Edkins, Development Director, Talk The Talk

A key skill that students need in most career paths is the skill of oracy. It is great that Cambridge OCR have recognised this and created a qualification for sixth forms to use to support this crucial skill. We can’t wait to run this course

Julie Stevens, Assistant Head/Director of Post-16, Myton School

Who should take it:

Students aged 16 and over on a full-time post-16 study programme who want to develop their oracy skills to support progression.
Students who want to learn the necessary speaking and listening skills to function effectively in higher education and employment environments.
Students who want to learn specialist subject knowledge and transferable skills that complement their Level 3 post-16 study programme in a similar way to an EPQ.

Assessment:

Our Level 3 Award in Oracy is 30 guided learning hours (GLH)
It is internally assessed and externally moderated.
The qualification is graded Pass/Merit/Distinction
As a regulated Level 3 qualification, the qualification attracts UCAS Tariff points (in relation to level and size)

Resources available from Spring/Summer 2026.

Full planning and teaching materials are available on Teach Cambridge, our secure website for teachers, so it’s essential you access and explore it

Teach Cambridge

Our secure teacher website is where you’ll find the essential information you need to teach Cambridge OCR qualifications. Teach Cambridge is a key service for teachers, as this is where you'll find set assignments and sample assessment materials, as well as planning support like curriculum planners and schemes of work.

If you don’t already have access, please speak to your exams officer.

*TBC

Our range of courses are designed to support you from day one and throughout your teaching journey. Our range of programmes include:

Course	Description	Available	Frequency
Starting to teach	Learn about the specification content, structure, question format and assessment requirements, as well as practical guidance on getting started in the classroom.	From Summer term 26	2 per year
Enhance your teaching	Guidance and support with subject knowledge and pedagogy – could be combined with Ask the SA sessions.	From Autumn term 26	2 per year
Preparing for the NEA	Gain the knowledge and understanding to optimise preparation for the assessment	From Autumn term 26	1 per year
Exploring the NEA	Post-exam review and tips	From Autumn 27	1 per year

Upcoming professional development and training courses will appear here when they are available to book. Sign up for email updates to keep informed of upcoming webinars.