AQW 42219/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education whether he will conduct further consultation on extending A Levels over two years.
Asked by Michelle Guy MLA on 10 March 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 10 March 2026
- Answer due by
- 26 March 2026
- Answered
- 19 March 20269 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Under my new Policy Framework for General Qualifications, CCEA A levels will continue to be delivered over two years. The new three-unit modular A level structure will allow pupils to be entered for one unit at the end of Year 13, with two units being taken in Year 14. Alternatively, all three units may be taken at the end of Year 14.
The consultation on the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels ran from September 2025 until November 2025 and received over 3500 responses as well as almost 4500 from the young persons’ version. In addition, my Department held several post-consultation events in January 2026 to seek further feedback from school leaders young people on the proposals before any decisions were made.
Considering the extensive consultation process already conducted by my Department, there are no plans for further consultation on A levels.