Reviewing approved AS and A levels in Wales

In light of the introduction of the National 14–16 Qualifications, we have outlined our approach to reviewing existing AS and A level qualifications.

Background

In June 2023, we published approval criteria for the GCSEs and related Level 2 qualifications within the new suite of National 14–16 Qualifications, which have been designed to support the 3–16 Curriculum for Wales.

The majority of these qualifications will be introduced for first teaching from September 2025 (known as Wave 1 qualifications). WJEC has now published the specifications for these subjects.

Further qualifications will follow in September 2026 (known as Wave 2 qualifications). The specifications for these will be available in September 2025. Further information about which subjects will be available in each year can be found on our GCSEs page.

Learners taking these new qualifications will have the opportunity to choose to progress to AS and A level courses from September 2027 (Wave1) and September 2028 (Wave 2). 

We are now asking WJEC to conduct a targeted review of approved AS and A levels in Wales to identify any inconsistencies with, or gaps in relation to, the new GCSEs and related qualifications. Where appropriate, WJEC will then amend the current AS and A level qualifications.

As these National Qualifications have been carefully designed to fully support progression to the current range of approved AS and A levels, we do not anticipate significant changes will be needed in the majority of subjects.

Given that the current suite of AS and A levels have been approved and delivered for some years (the majority were approved for first teaching from between 2015 and 2017), it is also timely for WJEC to consider whether there are aspects of these qualifications that should be updated so that they continue to be fit for purpose.

We are of the view that this targeted approach to a review of AS and A levels is more appropriate than a more significant programme of reform at this time. It will support manageability for teachers, centres and WJEC at a time when they are preparing for and managing the implementation of the National Qualifications.

The range of approved AS and A levels in Wales from September 2027

Given that the current range of AS and A levels broadly provides progression from the National Qualifications, and no gaps have been identified to us, we are of the view that the current range should continue. As WJEC currently provide all of the approved made-for-Wales AS and A levels, we have asked it to confirm to us which AS and A levels it intends to continue to make available from September 2027 (when the approval period for the current AS and A levels will end).

If WJEC intends to make a change to its current AS and A level offer, we will ask it to submit a clear rationale for any decisions. We will then review the submission and consider the likely impact of any possible changes to the current offer, before deciding how to proceed.

Although WJEC is currently the sole provider of approved AS and A levels in Wales, any regulated awarding body is able to submit qualifications for approval, providing it meets the regulatory requirements for GCE AS and A levels.

Our vision for AS and A levels in Wales

To ensure a coherent suite of approved AS and A levels, which appropriately builds on the new approved GCSEs and related qualifications, we would like all approved AS and A levels to prepare learners for life, further study and work, be available bilingually and:

command public confidence in Wales, the UK and globally
support progression to higher education in the same or related subjects
where relevant, build on the knowledge, skills and understanding specified in related, approved GCSEs
have content that is up-to-date and reflects the perspectives, contributions and experiences of a diverse range of communities
provide opportunities for learners to engage with local, national and international contexts, where appropriate
achieve an appropriate balance between manageability, level of engagement, reliability and validity
make appropriate use of technology

The key components of this vision will be built into the approval criteria for GCE AS and A Level qualifications (the requirements an awarding body must meet in order for us to approve a qualification), and other relevant regulatory documents. We expect to publish the updated approval criteria in spring 2025.

Targeted review of approved AS and A levels

WJEC will undertake a targeted review of the AS and A levels it wishes to continue to offer from September 2027 onwards. This targeted review will not include AS and A levels in Cymraeg, currently titled Welsh (First Language) and Welsh Second Language, as a different approach to reviewing these qualifications is underway to align with the wider policy context relating to the Welsh language.

WJEC’s review will focus on ensuring its AS and A levels align with the GCE AS and A level qualifications approval criteria. As noted above, this will include consideration of whether any of the changes made to GCSEs requires amendments to the AS and A levels.

Following its review, WJEC will amend the qualifications as necessary. The process for approving these amendments needs to be developed and refined, but will include a requirement that WJEC submits a rationale document detailing how its AS and A levels meet the approval criteria requirements and any changes needed to ensure compliance, as well as an explanation of other changes that it is proposing to make. In subjects where changes are needed, WJEC will submit the amended specifications and sample assessment materials to us for approval.

AS and A level qualifications in Cymraeg

When considering our approach to reviewing AS and A levels, it was clear that a separate route would be required for AS and A levels in Welsh (first language) and Welsh second language. This is due to broader policy aims for the Welsh language and developments that are taking place in light of the recently published Welsh language and Education (Wales) Bill.

We want to ensure that the future qualifications learners take align with policy aims and support learners to become confident users of Cymraeg. We recognise the importance of post-compulsory education, including AS and A levels, in contributing to these aims. For these reasons, we have committed to conducting a more comprehensive review of AS and A levels in Welsh (first language) and Welsh second language, with the intention of implementing reforms in readiness for new qualifications to be taught from September 2027. This will ensure that the new AS and A levels will be available for the first cohort of learners who have studied the new National Qualifications in GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature in Welsh medium and bilingual schools, and GCSE Core Cymraeg (with the option of also having studied Level 2 Additional Core Cymraeg) in English medium schools.

To reach these aims, we are currently engaging extensively with stakeholders, with the intention of consulting on proposed design requirements and approving new qualifications by September 2026. This will mean that the new specifications will be available a year in advance of first teaching from September 2027. Throughout this process, we will be working closely with WJEC and other key partners with a role to play in Welsh language education.

Next steps

WJEC will commence work on its review in 2025. If changes are needed for AS and A levels relating to Wave 1 GCSEs, amended specifications will be published by September 2026; a year in advance of first teaching from September 2027. If changes are needed for AS and A levels relating to Wave 2 GCSEs, amended specifications will be published in September 2027, in readiness for first teaching from September 2028.

Some approved AS and A levels do not have a directly relevant GCSE within the new National Qualifications suite, for example, law and psychology. We anticipate that these qualifications will be reviewed as part of a third wave of review and any amended specifications will be published in September 2028, ready for first teaching in September 2029.

As noted above, at this point we do not anticipate any significant changes to current AS and A levels, other than for those in Welsh (first language) and Welsh second language, but we will continue to work with WJEC to understand the likely nature of revisions to the specifications to support appropriate change management activities.