Introduction of T Levels

Introduction of T Levels (opens in a new tab)

Added

• T Levels are 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A levels.
• We expect the typical time to be between 1,100 and 1,300 classroom hours across the 2 years plus the mandatory industry placement of at least 315 hours.
• Employers and providers work together to develop each T Level, with support from the Department for Education (DfE), Skills England and Ofqual.
• To support students that partially achieve their T Level, UCAS tariff points are also available for both elements of the technical qualification where students have passed the:
• core component and completed the industry placement
• occupational specialism component and completed the industry placement
• Funding will be adjusted to reflect T Level delivery, as part of the 2026 to 2027 academic year in-year reconciliation process in spring 2027. This is subject to institutions completing their individualised learner record (ILR) and census returns accurately and on time.
• If you do not have a 16 to 19 funding agreement or contract but have previously delivered 16 to 19 provision and temporarily paused, you may still be able to deliver T Levels – contact us via Home-Customer Help Portal. If you have not previously delivered 16 to 19 provision, refer to 16 to 19 education (non-apprenticeship): market entry.
• There will be no T Level registration process for institutions planning to introduce T Levels from academic year 2027 to 2028. This aligns with changes to the T Level funding methodology from 2027.
• From this year forward, we will base your funding allocations solely on student numbers from the start of the previous academic year as returned in your ILR (R04) or school census (autumn on roll pupils) data return – regardless of whether T Level students are in their first or second year of delivery.
• To help providers deliver high-quality technical and vocational education, DfE is providing a national Technical and Vocational Subject Teaching Professional Development (TVPD) programme. Delivered by the Association of Colleges (AoC), it supports providers delivering or preparing to deliver T Levels, V Levels and level 2 pathways.
• The programme is shaped around the needs of providers, their workforce and learners, alongside regional skills priorities and current industry practice. It will help teachers and leaders strengthen their subject knowledge, teaching practice and understanding of employer expectations.
• The offer includes:
• subject-specific professional development – helping teaching staff build their confidence, capability and subject expertise across all pathways
• industry engagement – giving staff opportunities to update their knowledge and ensure teaching reflects current employer practice and workforce needs
• collaboration and networks – enabling providers to learn from their peers, share effective practice and build professional networks
• organisational and leadership support – helping leaders plan effectively, prepare their organisation and build long-term capability
• Together, these strands provide practical, evidence-informed support that can respond to your organisation’s priorities and local skills needs.
• You can access this support by registering for the TVPD platform or by speaking to your nearest Technical and Vocational Excellence hub.

Removed

• T Levels are 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels.
• We expect the typical time to be between 1100 and 1300 classroom hours across the 2 years plus the mandatory Industry Placement of at least 315 hours.
• Employers and providers work together to develop each T Level, with support from the Department for Education, Skills England and Ofqual.
• To support students that partially achieve their T Level, UCAS tariff points are also available for both elements of the technical qualification where:
• students have passed the core component and completed the industry placement
• students have passed the occupational specialism component and completed the industry placement
• Funding will be adjusted to reflect T Level delivery, as part of the 2026 to 2027 academic year in-year reconciliation process in Spring 2027. This is subject to institutions completing their ILR and Census returns accurately and on time.
• If you do not have a 16 to 19 funding agreement or contract but have previously delivered 16 to 19 provision and temporarily paused, you may still be able to deliver T Levels, please contact us via Home-Customer Help Portal. If you have not previously delivered 16 to 19 provision, please refer to 16 to 19 education (non-apprenticeship): market entry.
• There will be no T Level registration process for institutions planning to introduce T Levels from academic year 2027 to 2028, this aligns with changes to the T Level funding methodology from 2027.
• From this year forward, we will base your funding allocations solely on student numbers from the start of the previous academic year as returned in your ILR (R04) or School census (Autumn on roll pupils) data return – regardless of whether T Level students are in their first or second year of delivery.
• To be sure that T Levels deliver great outcomes for learners, we are giving teachers and leaders the support they need to deliver them. T Level professional development is available from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), at no charge to all providers delivering and planning to deliver T Levels .
• The offer is shaped around the needs of providers and their workforce alongside relevant regional, employer and curriculum needs. It includes:
• understanding T Levels to help staff in different roles understand T Levels and the T Level Foundation Year and how they can support their successful introduction
• T Level role and route-specific training – pedagogical and subject-specific courses structured to meet an individual’s professional development needs (this also includes courses aimed specifically at those delivering, or preparing to deliver, T Levels in schools and sixth forms)
• professional development for leaders – support for staff in leadership roles to help with T Level planning and implementation
• networks – route-specific and regional networks to facilitate collaboration and support
• T Level resource improvement projects (TRIPs) providing opportunities to produce resources to support the planning and delivery of T Levels
• industry insights – opportunities for staff to increase and update their knowledge by:
• undertaking placements within industry
• accessing industry-relevant mentoring