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<p>This government is committed to ensuring that students in post-16 education have
access to a high quality suite of qualifications that are easy to choose from and
which provide the best chances for progression into higher study, or into a skilled
job. The department firmly believes that, until the Advanced British Standard (ABS)
is introduced, A Levels and T Levels are the best route at Level 3 to achieving those
outcomes. A Levels are world class qualifications that provide the best preparation
for higher education in most academic subject areas, including the social sciences.</p><p>
</p><p>The government’s view is that A Levels should be the academic qualifications
of choice at Level 3. This is based on evidence about progression and attainment for
students who study A Levels compared to those who study other academic qualifications
at Level 3. Students who study A Levels tend to both do better and have higher completion
rates at university than students who studied other qualifications, even when taking
into account background characteristics.</p><p> </p><p>An impact assessment was undertaken
to consider the post-16 reforms at Level 3 as a whole, which can be read here: <a
href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1091841/Revised_Review_of_post-16_qualifications_at_level_3_in_England_impact_assessment.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1091841/Revised_Review_of_post-16_qualifications_at_level_3_in_England_impact_assessment.pdf</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The study of criminology at Level 3 is not generally an entry requirement for
criminology and other related degree courses. A Level sociology, which is in the same
sector subject area of sociology and social policy, will serve students wishing to
progress to criminology degrees. Students wishing to progress into other careers in
criminal justice and national security, such as legal, policing or prison and probation
services, could also undertake other A Levels such as law, combined with small alternative
academic qualifications in approved subjects such as uniformed protective services.</p><p>
</p><p>Development of the ABS is a decade long reform programme. Therefore, removal
of funding from technical qualifications overlapping with T Levels is continuing as
planned. The technical parts of the ABS are much closer to the T Level than any other
qualification, meaning that T Levels will be the most future proof qualification for
students at 16 to 19.</p><p> </p><p>As the department reforms applied general qualifications,
it will be up to colleges to decide what they offer to ensure that students have access
to a wide range of publicly funded qualifications. As education is a devolved matter,
the devolved administrations may take a different approach to post-16 education.</p>
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