Post-16 Programmes of Study

16 to 19 year old study programmes are designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans. Study programmes are usually individually tailored but typically combine the elements below:

• academic, applied or vocational qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or to employment
• English and maths where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 (or legacy grade c)
• work experience to help develop student career choices and apply skills in real working conditions
• other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, skills, attitudes and confidence, and to support progression such as EPQs.

Different types of post-16 study

• academic - formal learning usually based on theory rather than practical activity. Most students who want to go to university will do academic learning. Employers also value academic qualifications. Examples are GCSEs and A Levels
• vocational - courses based on practical activities, usually preparing students to work in a particular trade or industry. These qualifications develop skills that apply to real life situations and directly prepare people for employment but also for university too. Examples include Cambridge Technicals, BTECs and T Levels
• work based - learning in a work environment. Practical learning based on work experience that may include qualifications that fit that type of work. Some examples are supported internships, traineeships and apprenticeships. These mainly take place in workplaces, but in partnership with a college.

We’re able to offer a range of both academic and vocational qualifications, enabling schools and colleges to create programmes of study that are appropriate to their specific student needs.   We currently offer:

• Over 30 academic A Level qualifications in a wide range of subject areas.
• Cambridge Technical Level 2 and Level 3 vocational qualifications in a range of subjects.
• Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) in a range of subjects.

Students can choose to take either type of qualification but can also take them together. Many students already take one or more of our A Levels alongside our existing Cambridge Technicals. Other students also choose to supplement their study programmes with our Extended Project (EPQ) or Core Maths qualifications.

Post-16 Reform*

Following its review of post-16 qualifications and below in 2022, the previous government confirmed a new streamlined qualifications system for students aged 16 and over from September 2025. Under this reform most Level 3 qualifications would be defunded and students would have two routes available to them:

• A Levels or a mixed curriculum of A Levels alongside Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
• T Levels or they may wish to enrol in an apprenticeship.

To ensure we could continue offering tailorable post-16 programmes of study we developed Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs), our new Level 3 qualifications. The qualifications, designed to complement existing A Levels in a post-16 programme of study, provide students with the practical and essential skills and knowledge they need to better prepare themselves for entry into higher education and university. 

In December 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) published the outcome of their review of post-16 qualification reform. The review was set up to determine which qualifications will be funded for 16-19 learners in England for the 2025/26 academic year. The funded post-16 qualifications will sit alongside A Levels and T Levels.

A key change as a result of the review is the DfE announced that they will not tell providers and students which types of qualifications they can combine. This means AAQs and A levels can be combined in any way as a part of a programme of study.  Possible post-16 programmes of study could be:

• 3 x A levels
• 3 x AAQs (Cambridge Advanced Nationals)
• 1 x large Level 3 qualification (e.g. Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma 1080 GLH)
• Mixture of A levels and AAQs e.g.
  • 2 x AAQs + 1 A Level
  • 2 x A levels + AAQ

Not sure what is the right programme of study is right for your students?

We can offer Cambridge CEM's ALIS baseline assessment. Alis is an adaptive baseline assessment which empowers schools to unlock the full potential of  their students. Specific to Key Stage 5, Alis helps you gauge an objective perspective of students’ strengths and weaknesses and see how they are likely to perform at A Level.

*Our Post-16 reform hubpage explains more about what reform could mean for you and your post-16 curriculum.  This reform is currently under review by the DfE. 

Below are examples of how our post-16 qualifications can be combined to create programmes of study for your students. Combine different qualifications to suit the different needs of your students and cohorts.

Please note: subjects in examples are for illustrative purposes only.

Current combinations
3 x A Levels	A Levels + Cambridge Technical
3 x Cambridge Technicals	2 x Cambridge Technicals
2 x Cambridge Technicals	1 x Cambridge Technicals
Additional possible combinations from September 2025 onwards
2 x A Levels + 1 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ)	1 x A Level + 2 x Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs)
3 x Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs)

Check out examples of possible A Level and Cambridge Advanced Nationals combinations for all subjects for first teach in September 2025 on our dedicated webpage.

Wide range of both academic and vocational qualifications

We offer a wide range of both academic and vocational qualifications for post-16 students, including A Levels, Level 2 and 3 Cambridge Technicals, Core Maths, EPQ and from September 2025 Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs). Each type of qualification comes in a range of subjects, and they can be combined to created programmes of study tailored to your particular students. To help you determine the most appropriate programme of study we can also offer a Cambridge CEM baseline assessment. The assessment will help you gauge an objective perspective of your students’ strengths and weaknesses and see how they are likely to perform at key stage 5.

A single source for all your support, resources and communications

Save the hassle of having to visit multiple different websites or call centres to access your teaching support. We offer a comprehensive range of support and resources for all our qualifications, so whether you're just getting started with our qualifications or have been teaching them for a while we can support you every step of your teaching journey. Our support includes Customer support Centre, access to Subject Advisors, online tools, professional development training courses, teacher networks and our new secure website - Teach Cambridge - that provides you with access to all our free resources for the subjects you teach and secure materials, such as set assignments, examiners’ reports, exemplars and past papers.

Save time and create efficiencies

Dealing with multiple exam organisations means juggling numerous websites, call centres and people to access support, resources, services and orders. Using OCR you only need to make one call or visit our websites to access all our products, services and support. Consolidating tasks and simplifying your administrative processes will accumulate into huge amounts of time being saved enabling you to focus more on your teaching and your students.

Enhanced supplier relationship

Building a strong partnership with us allows for better collaboration and provides us with an understanding of your unique requirements as a school or college. We take pride in developing long-term relationships with our schools to understand their specific needs, preferences, and challenges, ensuring a personalised and tailored service. Help us to help you create the right programmes of study for your students with the right support. Our relationships with our schools and colleges is really important.