Wave 3 next to two students

Wave 3 Made-for-Wales draft specifications now available

We are pleased to announce the publication of the first set of draft specifications for the third wave of Made-for-Wales qualifications, marking another important milestone following an intensive period of development. 

Now available to view online, these draft specifications have been submitted to Qualifications Wales for approval and are intended for first teaching from September 2027.

Commenting on this significant development, Sarah Harris, Assistant Director: Qualification Development (Vocational Qualifications and Skills), said: 

“We are delighted to publish our draft specifications for this latest wave of accessible and engaging qualifications. I would like to thank our writers and reviewers, advisory groups, subject teams and our Qualification Development Team for their invaluable contributions throughout this process.

We have worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring their voices have shaped each qualification. As a result, we are confident these specifications will support a modern, inclusive and diverse education system, aligned with the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales. 

Each qualification has been carefully designed to inspire and engage learners across Wales, equipping them with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.” 

Our draft specifications, designed to meet Qualifications Wales’ Approval Criteria, are available to view on the subject page:   

Level 1/2 VCSEs: 

Entry Level/Level 1 Foundation: 

Please note, due to regulatory constraints, we cannot publish the final, approved specifications until September. 

Quick Guides – getting to know your qualification 

Alongside our draft specifications, our subject teams have produced ‘Quick Guides’ to provide a clear and accessible overview of these exciting new qualifications. 

These guides outline: 

  • The purpose and overview of the qualification
  • Qualification structure
  • Target learner profile
  • Assessment approach 

Download your Quick Guide here

Stay up to date  

To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new qualifications, visit our ‘Made-for-Wales’ web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who are leading the creation of the new qualifications.