Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 3, 2026

Key Stage 5

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. It follows Key Stage 4, and technically falls outside the national curriculum. During Key Stage 5, pupils study for A-levels or an equivalent qualification. 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. In November 2025, the UK government published plans to introduce a new V Level qualification to sit alongside A Levels and T Levels.

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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.123 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 Level qualification to sit alongside A Levels and T Levels.78

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "How is the national curriculum changing?". BBC News. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  2. "Northern Irish schools and curriculum". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  3. "Welsh schools and the Curriculum for Wales". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  4. Wallace, Susan (2015). "key stage (KS)". A Dictionary of Education (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191758454.
  5. Mime and UCL Institute of Education (July 2020). "London's Post-16 Trajectories" (PDF). london.gov.uk. Greater London Authority. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  6. "Guide: Secondary league tables". BBC News. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  7. "Government response to the Curriculum Assessment and Review" (PDF). GOV.UK. November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  8. "Who might take the new V-Levels?". FFT Education Datalab. Retrieved 19 November 2025.