• 2027 VTQ timely issue of results

    The VTQ (Vocational and Technical Qualifications) results process is an Ofqual Requirement designed to ensure that learners progressing to higher education receive their results on time, allowing them to confirm their university places alongside their peers studying A Levels. In line with these plans, we’re asking centres to confirm the details of learners who need to receive results for our qualifications alongside GCSEs and A levels.

    Centres in scope

    As a YMCA Awards centre, the VTQ results process is only relevant if you meet the following criteria:

    Your centre is located in England
    You have learners registered on Ofqual-regulated qualifications who are applying to university through UCAS.

    Process and checkpoints

    For YMCA Awards training providers, the 2027 VTQ Timely Issue of Results process is the same as before, whereby centres nominate a Senior Designated Contact (SDC) and provide information on all learners expecting results for progression during 2 checkpoint windows (including an estimated final assessment date).

    The dates for the term time checkpoint windows are:

    Term-time checkpoint: 1 March – 26 March 2027
    Final term-time checkpoint: 7 June – 18 June 2027

    As a YMCA Awards approved centre, it is your responsibility to ensure that full and correct information is shared by our deadlines. This is to prevent delays and implications for learners, and/or possible sanctions for your centre.

    Qualifications in Scope for the 2027 VTQ Timely Issue of Results

    Qualification titleQN
    YMCA Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Long-Term Health Conditions610/4227/4
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym and Group Exercise Instructor (Circuit Training), and Personal Trainer610/2794/7
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer610/2789/3
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer610/2787/X
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork610/4340/0
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Performance Massage610/0701/8
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner) in Indoor and Outdoor Environments603/3505/1
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner), Outdoor Exercise and Sports Conditioning603/3510/5
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Long-Term Health Conditions610/4680/2
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (Practitioner)603/3855/6
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (Practitioner)603/3617/1
    YMCA Level 3 Extended Certificate in Spectator Safety Supervision603/7364/7
    YMCA Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer (Diploma)610/3995/0
    YMCA Level 3 Technical Specialist in Performance Massage (Certificate)610/6236/4
    YMCA Level 3 Technical Specialist in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Long-Term Health Conditions (Certificate)610/6235/2

    Actions

    Action 1: Nominating a Senior Designated Contact

    Please complete this form to nominate an SDC for your centre.
    The nomination of an SDC is an Ofqual requirement, and they will be our point of contact to ensure results information is available on or before results day. The SDC does not need to be the existing main centre contact but must be contactable throughout July and August to support us to resolve any issues with issuing results on time.
    Please submit a new form for each SDC. We would ask that centres nominate no more than 2 members of staff, and that your SDC is a registered user on Y-Connect.

    Action 2: Confirm the details of learners expecting results for progression

    No formal action is required at this stage; however, we would ask that you review internally to understand if you will have learners in scope for this process.
    This information will be collected through Y-Connect and we’ll be in touch in February to confirm how centres can share this information. Details of learners awaiting results for progression and tracking data will also be shared with our regulators.

    Key points to consider for the timely issue of results

    Following last year’s successful timely results process, we’ve highlighted a few important reminders to help ensure everything runs smoothly again this year when submitting learner details and your Senior Designated Contact (SDC) information for Summer 2027.

    1) Submit claims early where possible

    We can issue certificates for learners as soon as we have all the required achievement information. Centres that submitted claims before the end of term last year saw faster resolution of queries and earlier issue of certificates. If you do not expect to submit claims before the summer break, please do not identify those learners as being in scope for this process.

    2) Nominate an effective Senior Designated Contact (SDC)

    Selecting an SDC who is available and able to respond to queries during the summer period helps us resolve any outstanding issues quickly. When appointing your SDC, ensure they can answer questions such as:

    Whether learners are still expecting results for progression
    Whether to issue partial certificates for achieved units or await reassessment
    When reassessment is scheduled, if applicable

    3) Provide accurate learner information ahead of claim deadlines

    Last year, centres that submitted complete learner information ahead of our published claim deadlines helped us target follow-up activity more efficiently, ensuring certificates could be issued in good time. Timely and accurate submissions remain the best way to support a smooth and efficient results process.

    Key dates

    EventDeadline
    Term time checkpoint26/03/2027
    Final term-time checkpoint18/06/2027
    Final assessments must be completed by centres23/07/2027
    Completion of external quality assurance deadline30/07/2027
    Latest date for certificate claims06/08/2027
    Date of final certificates released to centres12/08/2027