T Levels: next steps for providers
Information for post-16 providers on the next steps towards delivery of T Levels.
Applies to England
T Levels are new courses that launched in September 2020. These 2-year courses follow GCSEs and are equivalent in size to 3 A levels.
T Levels combine classroom theory, practical learning and substantial industry placements (45 days) to make sure students have real experience of the workplace. T Level courses have been developed with employers and businesses so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work.
They are designed to provide the knowledge, skills and experience needed to open the door to entry-level skilled roles, a higher apprenticeship or further study, including at university.
T Level action plan
The T Level action plan gives an update on government’s progress in reforming technical education as set out in the post-16 skills plan.
It includes sections on:
- the rollout of T Levels
- case studies
- T Level provider information
- T Level results and certification
- T Levels for adults
- T Level capital
- progression to and from T Levels
- the Ofsted thematic review of T Levels
- the role of IfATE in T Level delivery
- industry placements
- communications and marketing
Read an introduction to T Levels for more detail about T Levels.
T Level foundation year
The T Level foundation year programme provides a high-quality route onto T Levels for students who would benefit from the additional study time and preparation it will give them before they start their T Level course.
We are taking a phased approach to implementing the T Level foundation year alongside the introduction of T Levels.
A list of providers delivering the T Level foundation year is available.
Refer to the revised T Level foundation year framework for delivery for information on and expectations for how the programme should be delivered from the 2022 academic year onwards.
T Level foundation year programmes delivered from September 2022 should follow the national technical outcomes.
T Level subjects
From September 2020, T Levels have been available in:
- design, surveying and planning for construction
- digital production, design and development
- education and early years
From September 2021, T Levels have been available in:
- building services engineering for construction
- digital business services
- digital support services
- health
- healthcare science
- onsite construction
- science
From September 2022, T Levels have been available in:
- accounting
- design and development for engineering and manufacturing
- engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
- finance
- maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
- management and administration
From September 2023, T Levels will be available in:
- agriculture, land management and production
- legal services
From September 2024, T Levels will be available in:
- animal care and management.
- craft and design
- hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy
- media, broadcast and production
From September 2025, a T Level will be available in marketing. A further T Level is planned in catering, for delivery beyond 2024.
We have published the list of T Level providers. We are working with these providers to make sure they have the support they need to deliver T Levels successfully and to give them the opportunity to work with us to develop the new programmes.
Registering providers to deliver T Levels from September 2025
All providers currently funded to offer classroom-based study programmes to 16- to 19-year-olds can register to deliver T Levels from September 2025. The closing date to register is 22 March 2024.
Providers who register before 28 July 2023 will have access to implementation planning support and future capital funding for T Levels to support delivery in 2025.
Support for professional development
To ensure that T Levels deliver great outcomes for learners, we are committed to ensuring that teachers and leaders have the support they need to deliver them well. The T Level professional development offer, led by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has been available since May 2019 at no charge to providers delivering or planning to deliver T Levels.
The offer will continue to be shaped around the needs of providers and their workforce, alongside relevant regional, employer and curriculum needs. Providers will see changes to the offer – for example, a move to regional facilitators to enhance and replace the professional development adviser role, a more structured and tailored continuing professional development (CPD) journey, more opportunities for collaboration, and new leadership opportunities.
To ensure providers are up to date with the latest opportunities, ETF will continue to publicise training and CPD via their newsletter and website.
Capital funding
The T Levels capital fund will continue to help those further education providers at the forefront of delivering these qualifications.
The T Levels capital fund comprises of 2 different elements:
- building and facilities improvement grant
- specialist equipment allocation
Providers do not need to apply to receive specialist equipment allocation, but must make sure they are properly registered for delivery. The guide to the T Level capital fund provides further information.
Careers guidance support
All providers delivering T Levels in the 2023 to 2024 academic year will get a one-off grant. This grant is to support the provision of additional careers guidance to ensure all students have a good understanding about T Levels and the T Level transition programme.
Larger providers will receive £10,000 and smaller providers will receive £5,000.
Providers do not need to do anything to claim this funding. All eligible providers will receive a grant offer letter in due course with details of how they will receive the funding and how much funding they will get.
Communications and marketing
Communications and marketing activity are a critical part of the implementation plan to raise awareness of and engagement with T Levels and the T Level transition programme.
T Level providers can access promotional materials to help support the Get the Jump campaign.
We have also developed a series of resources for careers advisers and teachers to help them better understand T Levels when advising students about their options.
Last updated 1 February 2024 + show all updates
-
Updated to reflect the T Level transition programme’s name change, to the T Level foundation year.
-
Updated for T Level 2025 registration opening.
-
Updated to reflect revised T Level rollout timetable.
-
Added information about the grant providers will be getting for careers guidance support. Added marketing to the list of T Level subjects for 2025.
-
Updated to include the 4 T Levels available from September 2023.
-
We have updated the sections 'T Level subjects' and 'registering providers to deliver T Levels from September 2023'.
-
Updated deadline for providers to register to deliver for the first time in the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
-
We have added information on registering providers to deliver T Levels from September 2024, and have updated the 'Communications' section.
-
We have updated this page to reflect the new T Levels Action Plan the the T Levels Transition Programme Framework for Delivery for 2022 to 2023.
-
We have updated the information on the T Level Transition Programme, including the next steps in developing the programme.
-
We have updated this guidance following the publication of the T Level Action Plan 2020.
-
Updated the transition programme section.
-
Page updated with information about the approach from September 2024 onwards.
-
Information added about selecting providers to deliver T Levels from September 2023
-
Refreshed page to reflect latest updates.
-
information regarding expressing an interest to deliver T Levels from 2022 to 2023 academic year has been added to the page
-
Updated links to published action plan and the transition programme delivery framework
-
Update to the Transition Programme section following the recent publication of the list of providers planning to deliver the T Level Transition Programme.
-
Links added to the T Level consultation response and 2021 provider list.
-
This page has been updated to provide the latest information about T Levels.
-
Link to consultation response and list of providers selected to deliver T Levels in academic year 2020 to 2021 added.
-
Latest information for education providers about T Levels including information about the data collection survey.
-
First published.