Whether you’re a teacher in a school, lecturer in further education or trainer in a work-based or other learning setting, we’re here to support you and your learners as they look to achieve the qualifications they need to progress in life, further learning and work.

Qualifications available in Wales

Qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds

New  National Qualifications are being introduced for 14 to 16-year-olds between September 2025 and September 2027. National Qualifications comprise: 

There will be a small number of designated qualifications  available to 14 to 16-year-olds which sit outside the approved National  Qualifications offer. 

We have produced a comprehensive guide to support centres and educators in Wales with their transition to the new National Qualifications. Educators can find information and support relating to: 

  • meeting the learner entitlement with the new qualifications
  • digital assessment and preparing to deliver digital-only exams
  • non-examination assessment and managing learner workload
  • timelines and details regarding the development of the new VCSE, Foundation and Skills Suite qualifications
Qualifications for post-16 learners
QIW database

Our Qualifications in Wales database (QiW) contains details of all qualifications that are approved or designated for teaching in Wales for learners under the age of 19 - excluding higher education.

Information held on QiW includes qualification titles, numbers, start and end dates, awarding body details and further information - such as performance measures and whether the qualification counts as a choice for 14 to 19 learning pathways.

Professional learning and support 

All professional learning and support for educators is provided by the awarding body that developed the qualification. This is WJEC for all approved GCSEs, AS and A levels.

Delivering exams and assessments

Exams and assessments in 2025-2026

In this dedicated exams and assessments 2025-2026 section, you will find everything you need to know about the arrangements for exams and assessments this academic year. 

Summer 2025 results

For all information relating to last year’s exam results, visit our dedicated summer 2025 results section.

Digital exams and assessments

Digital exams and assessments are being increasingly used in qualifications in Wales. They can be hugely beneficial for both learners and the wider qualifications system, however, we understand the challenges some schools and colleges may face when delivering them. 

We are working closely with Welsh Government and awarding bodies to provide timely, useful guidance to support digital assessment delivery. 

Access support and guidance for digital assessments here. 

Contingency planning

We know there is always a small chance that alternative arrangements need to be made when running exams. Centres should remain prepared for the possible implementation of contingency arrangements.

Read our guidance for contingency planning.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) describes a process where evidence of a learner’s previous learning and/or achievement is assessed and can be used to exempt the learner from all or part of a qualification.  

The learner needs to show that through knowledge, understanding or skills they already have, they do not need to repeat the course or complete extra assessment activity. An assessor will review whether the evidence is enough to show that a learner has met the assessment requirements for a current qualification or part of a qualification. 

At Qualifications Wales, we recognise that RPL offers many benefits. For more information on RPL and our policy, please visit our dedicated recognition of prior learning section. 

Exams 360: the exam system explained

We’re often asked questions - and we're sure that you are - about the exam system and how it works. Things like, who writes an exam paper and how are exam grades set?

Exams 360 is where you’ll find the answers to those and other common exam related queries that may be asked by your learners.

Support for your learners

Learner journeys

We’ve developed a series of one-page documents showing all the different qualification options and pathways available in each sector. Educators can use these to: 

  • support learners and their parents as they research their options in a vocational area 
  • be accessible and engaging 
  • provide a simple view of all the pathways and options available

Power Up

We work with Welsh Government and other partners on Power Up to provide resources to help your learners prepare for exams and assessments.

Our work with higher education

Qualifications Wales maintains regular contact with higher education institutions in Wales and across the UK.

We also collaborate closely with UCAS and others, to make sure that universities are continually updated about any developments relating to qualifications and the qualifications system in Wales.

We've developed a guide to qualifications in Wales for higher education admissions teams.
 

Get involved

Qualifications Wales wants practitioners from across Welsh education to help ensure that we are creating a qualifications system that is truly fit for the 21st century.

From time to time, we recruit individuals to help us with that work - please keep an eye on our jobs and opportunities section if you're interested and make sure that your staff and governors sign up to our monthly newsletters.

We also run regular consultations, surveys, and involvement sessions. Please see our Have Your Say site for more details on how your centre can get involved.