Introduction

Support from parents / carers has a positive impact on young people’s performance in exams and assessments. Understanding the qualifications system is an important part of helping you to provide them with support.  

If you haven't heard of Qualifications Wales before, we work closely with Welsh Government and others, to make sure that qualifications meet the needs of learners and promote confidence in the qualifications system.

We regulate awarding bodies who develop and deliver the following qualifications in Wales:

 

National 14-16 Qualifications

New National Qualifications are coming for all 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales. 

National Qualifications include GCSEs, as well as new VCSEs, Foundation qualifications and Skills Suite qualifications. 

The new GCSEs are being introduced in two waves in September 2025 and September 2026. VCSEs, Foundation qualifications and the Skills Suite are being introduced in September 2027. 

These qualifications have been developed to reflect what and how learners are being taught with the Curriculum for Wales, and to bring them up to date and meet the current and future needs of young people. 

Find out more about the new qualifications: 

 

Qualifications levels

Qualifications Wales regulates all qualifications in Wales other than degrees. It's important for you to know what level a qualification is, so that you can understand how it can help your child with their next steps into work, or further study.

Across the UK, most qualifications taken at school, further education college, work or university fit into one of nine levels (12 in Scotland). The higher the level, the harder the qualification. Qualifications at the same level can be very different in terms of content and the length of time they take to complete.

The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales provides a common currency for learning achievement for learners in Wales, of all ages and abilities. There are similar frameworks in each of the UK nations.

CQFW Framework graphic

 

Power Up

Help prepare learners for their exams and assessments with the Power Up content hub, where you’ll find revision tips, wellbeing guidance and info to support them through the exam and assessment season.

 

Exams 360

We’re often asked questions 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.

 

Learner groups

Encourage your child to join our learner panel.

A key area of our work is shaping qualifications that fit the needs of the future. To help us do this, we’ve established two learner groups, so we can hear their views on our work. 

The members of both groups are an inspiring group of people with a diverse and broad range of experiences, and as some leave education this year, we are looking for new learners to join the groups. 

Joining one of our learner groups is a terrific opportunity for your child to gain confidence, have their say on qualifications in Wales, and provide them with valuable experience to support them as they take the next steps on their learning or work journey.

 

Join our new Parents and Carers Forum

We’re developing a Parents and Carers Forum. 

We want to hear from parents and carers from across Wales that have a diverse and broad range of lived experiences. If you’re interested, we’d like you to join us so we can include your thoughts, opinions and voices in our work.  

We’d also like to understand you and your families experience of qualifications. We’d like to discuss important areas of qualifications including: 

  • pupil wellbeing  
  • the range of qualifications 
  • the development of qualifications for the new curriculum 
  • additional learning needs 
  • assessments and examinations 

Parent and Carer Forum members will be asked to take part in regular surveys and join in online discussions using a closed forum. There will also be an opportunity to join focus groups to discuss and support us on specific projects and areas of work. 

Your thoughts, opinions and experiences will help us to develop qualifications and a qualification system that meets the needs of learners in Wales today and in the future. We value the opinions of our partners and stakeholders and parents and carers are very important in this space. 

To register your interest in joining the Parent and Carer Forum, follow this link: 

Parent and Carer Forum | Have your say - Qualifications Wales

 

Summer 2024 Results

Visit our dedicated Summer 2024 Results section.