T Level foundation year and national technical outcomes: introduction
Updated 22 October 2026
Applies to England
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Overview
This document is an introduction to the T Level foundation year (TLFY) and national technical outcomes (NTOs).
It is for anyone with an interest in level 2 pathways and the foundation year NTO. This includes:
- schools
- colleges
- training providers and their representative bodies
- awarding organisations and their representative bodies
- third sector and representative organisations
- students
- parents, guardians and carers
- employers
T Level foundation year
The TLFY is a level 2, one-year study programme to support and prepare students for progression to level 3, specifically T Levels, but also other positive destinations.
The framework for delivery sets out the expectations and principles for the programme to providers. It should be read alongside the NTOs.
The TLFY will continue in its current form for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
From September 2027, its name will change to ‘foundation year’, to better reflect its broader role in progressing students to the level 3 options (V Levels, T Levels and A levels) during the period in which the new level 2 pathways and foundation certificates are being rolled out (up until the 2030 to 2031 academic year).
The qualification delivery timelines is included in the Post-16 pathways: implementation plan.
During the transition period, providers can continue to deliver their foundation year study programmes so that students can continue to benefit from the high-level support and an enriching and rewarding study programme, as set out in the 16 to 19 study programmes guidance.
Once a foundation certificate has been rolled out in a particular subject, the foundation year will not longer run in that subject. The intention is that the foundation year will be entirely replaced by the new further study pathway and foundation certificates by the 2030 to 2031 academic year.
National technical outcomes
The NTOs provide a broad introduction to the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the subject area. Students are expected to cover all the NTOs for their chosen subject. This ensures consistency across programmes and establishes the minimum subject content that must be delivered for the technical component of the one-year study programme, as set out in the framework for delivery guide for providers.
The NTOs support students to explore the breadth of the subject area, to help them make informed choices about the future learning pathways they may wish to pursue at the next level.
The NTOs are structured around learning outcomes, which describe what students should be able to do following a period of learning. Each learning outcome is supported by:
- knowledge and understanding, which includes the facts, concepts, principles and processes students need to learn
- the subject-specific and transferable skills students need to apply to achieve the learning outcome
Knowledge, understanding and skills are intended to be developed together, rather than taught or demonstrated separately. Students should apply them through purposeful and authentic work-related activities that reflect how they may be used in practice.
The content assumes no prior learning or qualification in the subject. Where necessary, concepts are introduced from a foundational level, enabling all students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to achieve every learning outcome.
To support delivery, each learning outcome includes a rationale explaining its purpose and context. Additional signposting highlights opportunities for:
- stretch and challenge
- the development of transferable and in-demand employability skills
- work-related behaviours
Contextualised literacy, numeracy and digital skills support the continued development of these skills and build confidence and an appreciation of the relevance of these essential skills to students’ next steps.
The learning outcomes provide purposeful, authentic work-related tasks intended to encourage students’ interest in and motivation to progress to further study in a relevant subject. They may be delivered independently or combined where this supports a coherent programme of learning.
The NTOs have been designed to be achievable within 150 guided learning hours (GLH). The scope and size of individual learning outcomes may vary. They are not expected to require an equal number of guided learning hours or to be delivered in the order in which they appear in the subject content. Collectively, they should align with the overall allocation of 150 GLH.
Providers have the flexibility in how they deliver the NTOs and may adopt qualification-based, non-qualification, or blended approaches, provided all learning outcomes are achieved.
Updating the NTOs
We will continue to review the NTOs during the level 2 transition period from 2027 to 2030 and will update the NTOs only where significant changes warrant their revision.
Contact us
For enquiries, email post16level2and3.delivery@education.gov.uk.