Key Stage 5 refers to the education of students ages 16 to 19 in sixth forms and further education colleges in England and Northern Ireland.[1][2][3] It follows Key Stage 4, and technically falls outside the national curriculum.[4] During Key Stage 5, pupils study for A-levels or an equivalent qualification.[5] Other advanced level qualifications pursued at Key Stage 5 may include AS level, International Baccalaureate diploma, and vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) such as BTEC, BTEC extended diploma, or T Level.[6] In November 2025, the UK government published plans to introduce a new V Leval qualification to sit alongside A Levels and T Levels.[7][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "How is the national curriculum changing?". BBC News. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Northern Irish schools and curriculum". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Welsh schools and the Curriculum for Wales". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ Wallace, Susan (2015). "key stage (KS)". A Dictionary of Education (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191758454.
- ^ Mime and UCL Institute of Education (July 2020). "London's Post-16 Trajectories" (PDF). london.gov.uk. Greater London Authority. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Guide: Secondary league tables". BBC News. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "Government response to the Curriculum Assessment and Review" (PDF). GOV.UK. November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Who might take the new V-Levels?". FFT Education Datalab. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
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