Summer assessment series

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for everything you need to know about core exams.

T Level fees 2026-27 

As we look ahead to the new academic year, we want to let you know in advance about the changes that we’re making to our T Level Technical Qualification fees for 2026-27, following our annual review (see below).  

Overall, you'll note that fees have increased, with some individual fees remaining the same. The updated fees have been approved by the Department for Education (DfE) and will apply from Friday 1 August 2026.   

As a reminder, there will be no new NCFE registrations for Health, Healthcare Science, and Science from September 2026. 

Entry fees 

These fees are applicable to Education and Early Years only.   

Administrative fees  

These fees are applicable to all T Levels. 

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected]. In the meantime, you should continue to refer to the current T Level fees.

_______________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery

Resources from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Technical Education Networks

We’re working in partnership with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Technical Education Networks (TEN) to provide high-quality, route-specific teaching resources to help engage T Level students and bring industry to life. The resources are:  

• easy to use 

• draw on expertise from specialist teachers, employers, and professional bodies, 

• are quality assured by awarding and professional bodies  

• and free to download. 

In this short video, T Level teachers from East Lancashire Learning Group share how TEN resources have supported their teaching across Construction, Health, Engineering and Digital routes. 

For all other routes, including Education and Early Years, there are signposted links to useful external materials and opportunities to join relevant Communities of Practice. 

For teachers looking for support delivering T Levels, download the free resources from the TEN website. Users should note that these resources are developed and produced by GTEP. When accessing these resources, users must comply with GTEP’s Terms of Use at all times. Any users with queries regarding the materials should contact: [email protected]. 

DfE T Level industry placements guidance for providers and students

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated both the T Level industry placements guidance for providers and the student guide for preparing for industry placements. 

The provider guidance outlines how industry placements can be delivered, how to prepare for and oversee placements, how to determine completion, and what providers should do when a student does not complete their placement by the end of their T Level programme. It also includes guidance around recording relevant data, alongside a range of supporting templates and documents for providers. 

The student guide is designed to support providers in preparing students for their industry placements, and includes useful advice and resources. It also includes a student self-assessment tool and industry placement induction checklist to support placement preparation. 

The updated guidance and supporting documents can be accessed here: 

• T Level industry placements: guidance for providers

• Student guide: preparing for T Level industry placements

 
Please note that we don't oversee the industry placement aspect of the T Level. If you have any queries in relation to industry placement, please email the Department for Education (DfE) on [email protected] and they will be happy to support you. 

You said, we did - new A-Z search directory

You said: “It's hard to find what I need on the website.”

We did: Say hello to our new A–Z support hub. It's quick, clear, and easy to use so you can find the information you need to support your delivery of our qualifications straight away. You can find this under our Customer and Learner Support menu.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Digital

Digital T Levels transition  

We’ll continue to support all current Generation 1 students to success and will ensure a smooth transition for providers to Pearson. Read our FAQs if you have any queries about the transition.  

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Education and Early Years

Summer assessment series 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for everything you need to know about core exams.

Moderation 

Take a look at our support and useful reminders ahead of moderation including critical deadlines and guidance for all key activities from viewing sampling plans to uploading evidence and more. You can also visit this page to link to additional moderation guidance for the delivery of Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level from September 2026. Read more.

____________________________ 

Important announcement: T Level approval window closing soon  

If you’re planning to deliver the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level (610/5748/4) from September 2026, you’ll need to apply for product approval via our website.  

The approval window is now open and will close on Friday 26 June 2026. 

How to apply 

To apply for approval, follow the steps below or watch our video guide: 

1. Visit our website and use the qualification search function to locate the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level qualification. 

2. Select ‘Deliver this qualification’. 

3. Sign in and complete the online application. You'll need to provide:

• provider name and number 
• provider details (programme contact) 
• qualification details, including intended registrations and start dates.

4. Complete the provider and secure live assessment and administration declarations. 

5. Once your application is received: 

• If this is an additional product request submitted before 3pm, confirmation of approval will be issued the same day. Applications received after 3pm will be processed the following working day. 
• If you're new to NCFE or T Level delivery, you’ll receive an acknowledgement email upon submission. We’ll then contact you to confirm who will carry out your approval review.

6. Existing NCFE providers: we recommend reviewing your previous Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) report for any actions that could apply to T Level delivery. 

Important information 

• If your college has multiple campuses, you'll need approval for each campus delivering the qualification. 

• If your academy is part of a multi academy trust, each academy must apply separately for approval.  

Need support? 

If you need support with the approvals process, please contact your allocated External Quality Assurer (EQA) or our T Level support team at [email protected]. 

____________________________ 

Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level Guided Learning Hours (GLH) survey 

We’re currently carrying out a short piece of research with Education and Early Years T Level providers to better understand whether the current Guided Learning Hours (GLH) banding reflects delivery in practice for the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level. 

As part of this work, we’re asking providers to complete a short survey looking at how GLH is being used across delivery, including areas such as teaching, assessment, observations, preparation, and any further areas where additional time may be required. 

The feedback will help us better understand provider experiences now that delivery is underway, including how GLH is being used across different aspects of T Level delivery.  

This survey should ideally be completed by staff involved in planning or delivering the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level, who understand how GLH is being used in practice. 

The survey will close on Friday 26 June. 

Thank you in advance for your support. 

Note: please ignore this request if you do not currently deliver the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level. 

________________________ 

Resources  

Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching padlets 

Assessor Network padlets are available to support your delivery. We’ve recently added new resources to these – so it’s a great time to take a look. 

Within each padlet, you’ll find sections such as: 

▶️ YouTube videos for bite-sized learning  

💬 topics for discussion a space to share ideas and practice 

📑 updates to statutory guidance keeping you up to date  

🤝 support links and materials to help with your role. 

Access the padlets below: 

• Early Years Assessor Network Padlet 

• Assisting Teaching Assessor Network Padlet 

____________________________ 

Events 

Education & Early Years assessor masterclass: From play to progress – capturing complex evidence, Monday 15 June, 3:30-5pm 

Designed for those assessing in early years and classroom settings, this session explores how to capture rich, layered evidence of learning in dynamic environments. Assessors will practise identifying cross-cutting criteria, evaluating professional discussions, and navigating complex observations – all while staying grounded in NCFE expectations.  

Sign up now

Education and Early Years teacher and assessor networks: Working together for student success, Tuesday 16 June, 9:30-11am 

The purpose of this Education and Early Years TQ Assessor and Teacher Network is to allow for supported networking opportunities for staff involved in the assessment of Assignment 2 (EYE and AT) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 1 students, and Assignment 1 (EYE and AT) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 2 students. Led by NCFE moderators, this session will allow for the sharing of ideas and best practice as well as provider ‘top tips’ for success. There'll also be the opportunity to ask questions.  

Sign up now 

Gen 2 Moderation: Live Q&A for Education & Early Years Assessors, Wednesday 19 August, 11am-12pm 

A live Q&A webinar for Education and Early Years T Level assessors, offering clear guidance on the new Generation 2 moderation processes. Get practical answers, understand expectations, and feel confident in your assessment decisions.  

Sign up now 

Gatsby’s Technical Education Networks (TEN) upcoming Communities of Practice events 

Delivered in partnership with the Association of Colleges (AoC), the communities of practice (CoP) are route-specific networks for T Level teachers to connect, share practice, and shape support for their subject area. Don’t miss out on the final online events of the academic year for your route. Click on the links below to register: 

Health – Friday 19 June (1:00-2:30pm)

Science – Thursday 25 June (1:00-2:30pm)

Education and Early Years – Wednesday 24 June (1:00-2:30pm)

Exciting progress is being made on the TEN programme, with resources in development that are expected to be launched at the upcoming National T Level Conference and NCFE’s Education and Early Years conference. We hope to see you there! 

To explore wider TEN support available and download free teaching resources, go to: www.technicaleducationnetworks.org.uk.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Health, Healthcare Science and Science

Summer assessment series 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for everything you need to know about core exams, occupational specialism assessments and the employer set project. 

____________________________ 

Health and Science -  Pearson update (Generation 2 ) 

(Please note that the update below is in relation to Pearson, if you have any further queries in relation to information please contact Pearson)

“We’re pleased to announce that both T Level Technical Qualifications have been approved by the DfE and Ofqual.

The specifications have been published, and the specimen assessment materials are going through final amends and editorial; they should be published by the end of this term. Most of you have the pre-publication versions issued to providers that joined our validation panel – if you don’t and would like a copy, please get in touch with [email protected]”.

Provider approval window for 2026 – Pearson update

The approval window for the Health and Science T Levels is now open. You must gain approval for each technical qualification you wish to deliver. You have until Friday 26 June to apply for approval to start delivering T Levels in September 2026. 

Please watch our provider approval video before starting your application. 

You can find support documents and approval forms on our training and admin support page, including: 

• a guide to provider approval – start here 

• Pearson T Level technical qualification delivery approval application form 

• Pearson vocational provider approval application for T Level Technical Qualifications  

• fast-track provider approval application form. 

If you have any questions about provider approval, please get in touch via the Pearson support portal. 

Events

Year 1 mastery T Level Health: looking ahead – preparing for Year 2 with confidence 

Wednesday 17 June 2026, 3-5pm  

Reflect on your Year 1 delivery and get ahead of the curve for Year 2. This subject-specific session will guide you through curriculum pacing, delivery models, assignment challenges, and provider-led solutions to streamline planning and support student success as they transition into the next phase of the TQ.  

Sign up now

Gatsby’s Technical Education Networks (TEN) upcoming Communities of Practice events 

Delivered in partnership with the Association of Colleges (AoC), the communities of practice (CoP) are route-specific networks for T Level teachers to connect, share practice, and shape support for their subject area. Don’t miss out on the final online events of the academic year for your route. Click on the links below to register: 

Health – Friday 19 June (1:00-2:30pm) 

Science – Thursday 25 June (1:00-2:30pm) 

To explore wider TEN support available and download free teaching resources, go to: www.technicaleducationnetworks.org.uk

Portal downtime  

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Summer assessment series reminders 

Core exams: everything you need to know 

This summer’s core exams start soon, and we wanted to remind you about:  

• key upcoming dates and guidance – please ensure you check our Key Dates Schedule for a reminder of set date and time core exam dates  

• information and actions for paper-based assessments  

• information and actions for online assessments  

• where you can find further support.   

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for the full information. 

_______________________________________________ 

Employer Set Project (ESP) – evidence upload deadlines approaching   

As we approach the final stages of the Employer Set Project (ESP) assessment windows, we wanted to remind you of the upcoming crucial deadlines and evidence upload actions. You must meet all deadlines to ensure your students receive accurate and timely results.  

Key dates 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for full information. 

Useful links: 

• Download our upload guidance document   
• Watch our uploading evidence video guide  
• Take a look at our ESP top tips.  

_______________________________________________ 

Occupational specialism assessments 

T Level assignment 2 - mark submission deadlines 

The deadline to submit marks for the assessments below is Friday 15 May 2026. 

• Education and Early Years - Assisting Teaching 
• Education and Early Years – Early Years Educator  
• Health - Pathway A – Adult Nursing team 
• Health - Pathway B – Midwifery team 
• Health - Pathway C – Mental Health team 
• Health - Pathway D – Care of Children and Young People 
• Health - Pathway E - Therapy Teams 
• Healthcare Science – Assisting with Healthcare Science 
• Healthcare Science – Optical Care Services 
• Science – Laboratory Science 

Important information 

• You must remember to tick the declaration once you have entered marks to confirm they can be taken forward for moderation. 
• Any students who were booked but did not sit the assessment must be marked as a DNA (did not attend) in the submit marks screen in the Portal. 
• For guidance on submitting marks, please watch the video on how to submit provider marks for moderation. 

Post-assessment – moderation and uploading evidence 

Sampling plans for Health, Healthcare Science and Science Occupational Specialisms will be available in the Portal from Saturday 16 May. 

T Level Education and Early Years (Generation 1) 

Once the assessment window closes on Friday 15 May, and we have moderated an initial sample, we’ll complete tolerance checks. If you are marking out of tolerance, we’ll need to do further sampling. If this happens, we’ll email you to say that a sampling plan is available in the Portal and that we require additional student evidence. 

If you are marking within tolerance, we won’t email you. Instead, the Portal will be updated to show 'moderation completed' on the right-hand side of the upload learner submissions screen. 

Please check the Portal for updates before contacting your moderator. 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for full information. 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery 

Updates to our website  

To help you find the support you need quickly, we’ve introduced an A-Z of support topics on our website.  

We’ve also updated our T Level FAQs webpages. 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Digital

Digital T Levels transition  

We’ll continue to support all current Generation 1 students to success and will ensure a smooth transition for providers to Pearson. Read our FAQs if you have any queries about the transition. 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Education and Early Years

Summer assessment series 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for everything you need to know about core exams, occupational specialism assessments and the employer set project. 

Moderation 

Take a look at our support and useful reminders ahead of moderation including critical deadlines and support for all key activities from viewing sampling plans to uploading evidence and more. You can also visit this page to link to additional moderation guidance for the delivery of Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level from September 2026. Read more.

____________________________ 

Introducing additional guidance for Assignment 1 Part 1 Early Years Educator (Generation 2) 

We’ve created a new document to support you and your students with gathering evidence for Assignment 1 Part 1 of the Early Years Educator occupational specialism. You can access this document from the qualification webpage – simply scroll down to the guidance and log in to the Portal, the document is named ‘EEY – OS – EYE – Assignment 1 part 1 – Competence Observation Criteria – Additional Guidance’. 

____________________________ 

T Level approval window closing soon  

If you’re planning to deliver Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level (610/5748/4) from September 2026 and haven’t delivered the Education and Early Years T Level before, you’ll need to apply for product approval via our website. The approval window closes on Friday 26 June. Find out how to apply and read FAQs. 

________________________ 

Resources 

Qualification resources 

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the next set of T Level resources, outlined below: 

Resources will be available from the qualification page on the NCFE website: 

T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (610/5748/4) 

For more information on the resources, coverage, and pricing, please refer to the Resources Factsheet, available on the qualification page under the ‘Qualification details’ section. 

__________________________ 

Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching padlets 

Assessor Network padlets are available to support your delivery. We’ve recently added new resources to these, so it’s a great time to take a look. 

Within each padlet, you’ll find sections such as: 

▶️ YouTube videos for bite-sized learning  

💬 topics for discussion a space to share ideas and practice 

📑 updates to statutory guidance keeping you up to date  

🤝 support links and materials to help with your role. 

Access the padlets below: 

• Early Years Assessor Network Padlet 

• Assisting Teaching Assessor Network Padlet 

__________________________ 

Changes to Early Years Ofsted inspections  

We wanted to remind you that Early Years Ofsted inspections have changed.  

Inspectors will be proportionate in weighing up the evidence they gather, balancing the extent of any strengths or areas for development in each of the evaluation areas. This will support grading and allow specific features of practice, whether strengths or areas for development, to be reported clearly. 
 
When you’re considering placement opportunities for your early years students, the following must be in place: 

• safeguarding criteria must be met 
• all other areas must be achieved as meet expected standard or strong standard.  

The inspection criteria can be found here. 

____________________________ 

Events 

T Level Education and Early Years: Strategic Insights for Senior Leaders, Wednesday 20 May, 3:30-5:30pm  

This high-level CPD event is tailored specifically for senior leaders seeking a clear, strategic understanding of T Levels and their implications for curriculum planning, staffing, and employer engagement. T Levels represent a significant shift in technical education, and strong leadership is key to successful implementation. This session will provide up-to-date guidance, share lessons learned from early adopters, and offer practical advice to help leaders embed T Levels effectively within their institution's broader vision.  

Sign up now 

Year one mastery T Level Education and Early Years: looking ahead – preparing for year two with confidence, Monday 1 June, 3-5pm 

Reflect on your Year 1 delivery and get ahead of the curve for Year 2. This subject-specific session will guide you through curriculum pacing, delivery models, assignment challenges, and provider-led solutions to streamline planning and support student success as they transition into the next phase of the Technical Qualification (TQ). 

Sign up now 

Education and Early Years teacher and assessor networks: Working together for student success, Tuesday 16 June, 9:30am 

This session will provide you with the opportunity to network with others involved in the assessment of Assignment 2 (EYE & AT) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 1 students and Assignment 1 (EYE & AT) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 2 students. Led by NCFE Moderators, this session will allow for the sharing of ideas and experiences which share best practice and provider ‘top tips’ for success. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions. 

Book your place now 

Education and Early Years T Level conference – last chance to sign up! 

Join us at our Education and Early Years T Level conference in July 2026, which will bring together professionals from across education and industry to:  

• hear from expert speakers, who'll share updates from across the sector, innovative ideas and real-life examples 

• take part in interactive workshops designed to offer practical tips, hands-on activities, and useful strategies 

• meet and connect with peers to share best practice and explore common challenges.  

📅 Date: 1 July 2026  📍 Venue: Radisson Hotel, York  🎟️ Tickets: limited places available – sign up now! Registration will close on Friday 29 May. 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Health, Healthcare Science and Science

Summer assessment series 

Visit our summer assessment series webpage for everything you need to know about core exams, occupational specialism assessments and the employer set project. 

____________________________ 

Updates from Pearson 

 T Level in Science and T Level in Health approval  

“We’re pleased to announce that both T Level Technical Qualifications have been approved by the DfE and Ofqual. We’re in the process of regulating the qualifications, which will generate the QAN we need to progress your provider approval applications. 

The specification and specimen assessment materials are going through final amends and editorial; they should be published by the end of this term. Most of you have the pre-publication versions issued to providers that joined our validation panel; if you don’t and would like a copy, please get in touch with [email protected]” 

Provider approval window 2026 

You must gain approval for each Technical Qualification you wish to deliver. You have until 26 June to apply for approval to start delivering T Levels in September 2026. 

Please watch our provider approval video before starting your application. 

You can find support documents and approval forms on our training and admin support page, including: 

• a guide to provider approval – start here  

• Pearson T Level technical qualification delivery approval application form 

• Pearson vocational provider approval application for T Level Technical Qualifications  

• fast-track provider approval application form. 

If you have any questions about provider approval, please get in touch via the Pearson support portal.

Summer assessment series 

Summer series update: important information on the Employer Set Project (ESP)   

As we enter the summer assessment series, we’re sharing some reminders with you to help ensure these assessments go smoothly. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with all of the information and actions required for upcoming assessments including core exams – you can read more on our summer assessment series webpage.  

Below, we’re focusing on the Employer Set Project (ESP) and evidence upload process.  

Key dates and reminders  

*Some ESPs have pre-assessment material. Find out more.  

• Please ensure you check the Key Dates Schedule and provider guides for requirements and completion deadlines, as some pathways have specified dates and times for tasks within the window.  
• You should test recording equipment prior to assessments to ensure there are no issues on the day. You should also have back-up systems and processes in place to ensure recordings are carried out, saved and stored securely.   
• Please contact us on 0191 239 8000 or [email protected] if you encounter any issues. If any issues are encountered before the student has answered any tutor questions, received any feedback, or left the room, then the assessment can be re-recorded immediately. If the error is discovered after any of the above points, then you’ll need to request a special consideration.    

Post-assessment – evidence upload information  

• Evidence must be uploaded by three working days after the closure of the assessment window.   

• We’ll check the evidence after it has been uploaded, and if necessary, we’ll let you know if there’s any missing or corrupt evidence or if there are any other problems with the evidence you’ve uploaded. We’ll apply strict timescales to our review and response, minimising any risk to students’ results.   

•  If any students were booked to sit the ESP this series but will not be completing it, please access the invigilator register via the Portal from ‘View External Assessment Bookings’, print and complete the document in full, ensure it is signed, and then upload the finalised version to the Portal when submitting student evidence.If you’re experiencing technical difficulties when uploading evidence, please contact our Customer Support team at [email protected]  

• Although we’ve made many improvements to our Portal, upload speeds can be impacted when lots of providers are using it at the same time. In addition, poor internet connectivity can impact upload speeds. To support you with using the Portal, we’ve created an upload guidance document and handy video with all the information you need, including maximum file sizes and formats. Please also use the checklists which are contained within the assessment materials on the Portal. Important: we recommend files are no larger than 1GB and, you must ensure the maximum file size that you’re uploading is 2GB!   

Further support  

If you need any further support in relation to the summer assessment series, please get in touch with us any time via email at [email protected]. You can also read our ESP FAQs. 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Approvals 

Important announcement: T Level approval window now open  

If you’re planning to deliver Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level (610/5748/4) from September 2026 and haven’t been approved to deliver this qualification, you’ll need to apply for approval via our website. The approval window is now open and will close on Friday 26 June.  

How to apply 

To apply for approval, follow the steps below or watch our video guide: 

• Visit the NCFE website and use the qualification search function to locate the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level qualification. 
• Select ‘Deliver this qualification’. 
• Sign in and complete the online application. You will need to provide: 
  • provider name and number 
  • provider details (programme contact) 
  • qualification details, including intended registrations and start dates. 
• Complete provider and secure live assessment and administration declarations. 
• Once your application is received: 
  • if you are already delivering T Levels and this is an additional product request, if you submit your request before 3pm, we’ll confirm approval the same day. Applications received after 3pm will be processed the following working day. 
  • if you are planning to offer T Levels for the first time from September, you’ll receive an acknowledgement email upon submission. We’ll then contact you to confirm who will carry out your approval review. 
• Existing NCFE providers: We recommend reviewing your previous Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) report for any actions that could apply to T Level delivery. Read our FAQs for more information on this. 

Important information 

• If your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need approval for each campus delivering the qualification. 

• If your academy is part of a multi academy trust, each academy must apply separately for approval.  

Need support? 

If you need support with the approvals process, please visit our approvals FAQs page. You can also contact your allocated EQA or our T Level support team at [email protected]. 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Moderation  

Deadline for submitting marks 

The deadline for submitting marks for the below pathways is Friday 15 May: 

Please remember that any students booked but not sitting the assessment should be marked as a ‘did not attend’ (DNA) in the submit marks screen. For guidance on submitting marks, watch our video on how to submit provider marks for moderation. 

Moderation support and information 

Visit our moderation webpage to find out more about:  

• our timeline and critical deadlines 
• how to access administrative training – which provides guidance on the administrative responsibilities required for moderation and supports accurate and efficient completion of tasks 
• viewing students selected for remote moderation 
• viewing your sampling plan list 
• uploading evidence 
• evidence labelling 
• our evidence upload checklist 
• our approach to moderation – including sample sizes, moderating provider-assessed work and how marks are applied, the regression process - how adjustments are made, and results 
• late submissions of marks or evidence. 

Here are a few key things to keep in mind throughout the moderation process: 

• Up-to-date contact information: ensure we have the correct information about colleagues at your provider (for example the exams office, programme contact, and the head or principal) and update any changes via this form. 
• Ensure name accuracy: the names on evidence submissions must match the name used to register the student with NCFE. 
• Reasonable adjustments: any student selected for moderation who has had a reasonable adjustment applied, must be added to the evidence upload checklist in the assessment materials pack. This ensures that adjustments are accurately documented and accounted for. Please ensure to upload a checklist for each student with their associated evidence. 
• Upload limits: be mindful of the upload limits for evidence. Make sure that files meet the specified size requirements to avoid any issues when submitting. Here is an upload guide to support you with all the information you need, including maximum file sizes and formats. Important: We recommend files are no larger than 1GB: however, you must ensure the maximum file size that you’re uploading is 2GB! 

You can also watch our support videos:  

• How to access assessment materials 
• How to submit provider marks for moderation 
• View students selected for moderation and upload evidence 

_____________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery 

Progression to higher education 

The Department for Education (DfE) has published the latest list of higher education providers that accept T Levels as part of their entry requirements and have confirmed that they will consider T Levels for at least one course. 

Key Dates Schedule consultation 2027-28     

We need your feedback on our proposed T Level Key Dates Schedule for 2026-27 and 2027-28. Visit this webpage for more information. 

Update on T Level retake window (four years to three years) 

We wanted to remind that the T Level retake window has changed, following a policy decision by the Department for Education (DfE). Students are now expected to complete their T Level within three years in total, rather than four. This includes their initial two years (first year core and second year occupational specialism) plus a further year to complete any final retakes.  

For example, a student starting in September 2024 would complete their T Level in summer 2026 (after sitting both their core exams and occupational specialism assessments). They would then have until the end of the 2026-27 academic year to complete any final retakes, which would be their final opportunity to improve on their grades from the previous two years. 

Digital

Digital T Levels transition  

We’ll continue to support all current Generation 1 students to success and will ensure a smooth transition for providers to Pearson. Read our FAQs if you have any queries about the transition.  

Early Years

Assessment windows opening this month 

Assessment windows for all T Level Health pathways are opening on Monday 27 April. Please see the Key Dates Schedule for all upcoming assignment dates. 

Visit our moderation page for further information. Under the key dates and support banner, you can also find a moderation key dates and support document giving you a timeline of events for both visiting and remote moderation with where to access support. 

______________________________________ 

Withdrawn qualifications 

______________________________________ 

Preparing to moderate and key dates 

As we approach the assessment windows for the moderated components of the Occupational Specialisms in Health, Healthcare Science and Science T Levels, we encourage you to prepare by reviewing the guidance available on our moderation webpage.  

You’ll find useful information to get started if this is the first time you’re delivering these qualifications, or you can refresh your memory under the following banners: 

• marking internal assessments 
• preparing for moderation 

Under the key dates banner, a key dates and support document is also available. This provides a clear timeline of activities for both visiting and remote moderation, along with details on how to access support.  

______________________________________ 

Health and Science – Generation 2 approvals 

The approval window for the Generation 2 Health and Science T Levels will open when the Generation 2 versions have been approved by the Department for Education (DfE).  Pearson will let providers know when this has been confirmed.  

Please read the following message from Pearson on their approval process:  

You must gain approval for each Technical Qualification you wish to deliver. You have until 28 June to apply for approval to start delivering T Levels in September 2026. 

Please watch our provider approval video before starting your application. 

You can find support documents and approval forms on our training and admin support page, including: 

• a guide to provider approval – start here!  
• Pearson T Level technical qualification delivery approval application form 
• Pearson vocational provider approval application for T Level Technical Qualifications  
• fast-track provider approval application form. 

Visit our training and admin support page 

If you have any questions about provider approval, please get in touch. 

Contact us via the Pearson support portal 

If you’re transitioning to Pearson for Generation 2 of the Health or Science T Levels, sign up to their monthly e-bulletin for more information. 

_______________________________________________ 

Updates to qualification materials for T Levels following annual review  

Qualification specification updates  

Following our annual review process, where we update the T Level qualification content to support your delivery or reflect changes in current practice, we’ll be publishing new versions of the qualification specifications for the T Levels in Health, Healthcare Science and Science in May. We’ll publish these on the qualification webpages linked below: 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Level 3) (delivered by NCFE) (603/7066/X)  

• T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science (Level 3) (delivered by NCFE) (603/7083/X)  

• T Level Technical Qualification in Science (Level 3) (delivered by NCFE) (603/6989/9)  

This qualification specification is for teaching from September 2026. The summer 2027 assessments will be based on this version of the qualification specification. The previous version of the specification will remain available to support resits for the Autumn 2026 series. 

Full details of the amendments in the change history record within the qualification specification. This should help you to understand how the changes might impact you and your students.  

 ___________________________________________________________ 

Autumn series results 

We’ll release results for the autumn series to providers on Wednesday 18 March ahead of students receiving them on Thursday 19 March. Read more about results. 

______________________________________________ 

Looking ahead to the summer series 

Please see our summer assessment series webpage for more information on: 

• social media sharing and the risk of malpractice 
• booking cut-off dates 
• reasonable adjustments  
• special considerations  
• actions required for core exams – invigilated, paper-based and online assessments 
• actions required for the Employer Set Project (ESP) - pre-assessment and post-assessment reminders (including evidence upload) 
• actions required for Occupational Specialisms (OS) - pre-assessment and post-assessment reminders (including submitting marks and evidence).  

______________________________________________ 

Approvals 

Important announcement: T Level approval window now open  

If you’re planning to deliver Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level (610/5748/4) from September 2026 and haven’t previously delivered this qualification, you’ll need to apply for product approval via our website. The approval window is now open and will close on Friday 26 June. 

How to apply 

To apply for approval, follow the steps below or watch our video guide: 

• Visit the qualification page for  Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level. 
• Select ‘Deliver this qualification’. 
• Sign in and complete the online application. You’ll need to provide: 
  • provider name and number 
  • provider details (programme contact) 
  • qualification details, including intended registrations and start dates. 
• Complete provider and secure live assessment and administration declarations. 
• Once your application is received: 
  • if this is an additional product request submitted before 3pm, confirmation of approval will be issued the same day. Applications received after 3pm will be processed the following working day. 
  • if you’re new to NCFE or T Level delivery, you’ll receive an acknowledgement email upon submission. We’ll then contact you to confirm who will carry out your approval review. 
• Existing NCFE providers: We recommend reviewing your previous Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) report for any actions that could apply to T Level delivery. 

Important information 

• If your college has multiple campuses, approval must be obtained for each campus delivering the qualification. 
• If your academy is part of a multi academy trust, each academy must apply separately for approval.  

Need support? 

If you need support with the approvals process, please contact your allocated EQA or our T Level support team at [email protected]. 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Moderation  

Administration Support 

We’d like to remind you that administrative training is available on our Moderation webpage. This training provides guidance on the administrative responsibilities required for moderation and supports accurate and efficient completion of tasks. 

Please ensure the following key points are adhered to: 

Evidence upload limits 

Be mindful of file size limits when uploading evidence. Files must meet the specified requirements to avoid any issues. Helpful guidance is available under the uploading evidence banner on the moderation webpage. 

Evidence labelling 

Please keep in mind that: 

• all evidence must be clearly labelled, including the corresponding task number in the document title (e.g. Task 3), to ensure clarity during moderation 

• all files must include both the student’s name and the name of the task(s) 

• student names on submitted evidence must match the name used at registration with NCFE 
• any reasonable adjustments must be clearly recorded on the evidence upload checklist to support moderation activities. 

_____________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery 

Employer Set Project (ESP) drop-in clinics: teaching and delivery support for the summer series, Thursday 12 March – 12-1pm 

These informal, supportive drop-in clinics are designed to help educators delivering the Employer Set Project (ESP) for the summer series across Health, Science, Healthcare Science, Digital and Education and Early Years T Levels. Whether you're new to ESP delivery or looking to refine your current approach, these sessions offer a space to ask questions, share strategies, and gain clarity on teaching, assessment preparation, and evidence requirements. 

Sign up now 

DfE list of higher education providers that accept T Levels for entry  
The Department for Education has published the latest list of higher education providers that accept T Levels as part of their entry requirements and have confirmed that they will consider T Levels for at least one course. 

This is a useful link for students, parents and careers teams when discussing progression options, although it is still advised to check directly with individual universities regarding specific grade requirements for particular courses. 

You can view the latest list here. 

_____________________________________________ 

Updates for exams officers 

Special considerations and reasonable adjustments 

We would like to remind you that students may be eligible for a special consideration if they are disadvantaged at the time of an assessment due to reasons outside of their control.  

Please review the JCQ guide to the Special Consideration process for further clarification around on eligibility.  

Request for special consideration must be submitted via the NCFE website. 

For any students who have had a reasonable adjustment applied, this must be clearly recorded on the evidence upload checklist which is available in the assessment materials pack. This ensures that adjustments are appropriately documented and taken into account during moderation.  

_______________________________________________

Digital

Registrations: students who started Generation 2 Digital T Levels in September 2025 

If you’re currently delivering the Generation 2 Digital T Level in Digital Data Analytics and the T Level in Digital Support and Security with Pearson, you can still make student registrations for cohorts that started this academic year. 

Please remember, you must be approved by Pearson to deliver each Technical Qualification you’re delivering or intend to deliver. If you didn’t seek provider approval during the approval window (February – June 2025), please contact Pearson immediately via their service portal and they’ll support you through the process.  

Digital T Levels transition  

We’ll continue to support all current Generation 1 students to success and will ensure a smooth transition for providers to Pearson. Read our FAQs if you have any queries about the transition.   

Early Years

Moderation 

Early Years Educator (EYE) Assignment 2, Part 2: updates and reminders for structured observations (Generation 1 ONLY qualification) 

The moderation window is now fully underway, with assessments being conducted daily. To maintain high standards and ensure consistency, assessors are reminded to follow the best practice guidance outlined below: 

Assessment window opening: Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching occupational specialisms, Assignment 2 (Generation 1) 

The assessment window for Early Years Educator (EYE) Assignment 2 Part 2 and Assisting Teaching Assignment 2, opened on Monday 2 February. The window will close on 15 May 2026, as stated in our Key Dates Schedule.   

Please see the Education and Early years specific information on the moderation webpage  for more information.  

Useful reminders   

• The latest tutor guides can be found on the T Level in Education and Early Years Qualification (Generation 1) Page. Please ensure you are using the marking bands within the most up to date tutor guide for the occupational specialism (OS).    

• You should use the student evidence upload checklists provided by your moderator to ensure you submit the required documentation from students by the agreed deadlines.   
• You must make sure all students’ schedules of assessment are kept up to date. If there are any changes with placements, the details must be updated immediately to allow as much notice as possible to your moderator.  

Resources 

We’re launching the next set of T Level resources according to the dates outlined below: 

Resources will be available from the qualification page on our website. 

For more information on the resources, coverage, and pricing, please refer to the resources factsheet, available on the qualification page under the ‘Qualification details’ section. 

Events 

Education and Early Years T Level conference – sign up now! 

Join us at our Education and Early Years T Level conference in July 2026, which will bring together professionals from across education and industry to:  

• hear from expert speakers, who'll share updates from across the sector, innovative ideas and real-life examples 

• take part in interactive workshops designed to offer practical tips, hands-on activities, and useful strategies 

• meet and connect with peers to share best practice and explore common challenges.  

📅 Date: 1 July 2026  📍 Venue: Radisson Hotel, York  🎟️ Tickets: limited places available – sign up now! 

Education and Early Years assessor masterclass: beyond the score –confident and consistent judgement, Wednesday 18 March – 3:30-5pm 

Focusing on the critical skill of marking, this masterclass will support assessors in applying banded criteria with accuracy and confidence. Using real-world case excerpts and peer discussion, assessors will practise making and justifying judgements, preparing them for moderation and strengthening reliability. 

Sign up now 

Health, Healthcare Science and Science

Preparing to moderate and key dates 

As we approach the assessment windows for the moderated components of the Occupational Specialisms in Health, Healthcare Science and Science T Levels, we encourage you to get prepared by reviewing the guidance available on our moderation webpage.  

You’ll find useful information to get started if this is the first time you’re delivering these qualifications, or you can refresh your memory under the following banners: 

• marking internal assessments 
• preparing for moderation 

Under the key dates banner, a key dates and support document is also available. This provides a clear timeline of activities for both visiting and remote moderation, along with details on how to access support.  

Assessment windows opening this month: 

• Monday 23 March – Health Core assessment window opens 
• Thursday 26 March – Healthcare Science and Science assessment windows open 

Please see the Key Dates Schedule for a full list of upcoming assessment windows.  
______________________________________ 

Health and Science – Generation 2 approvals 

Whilst the provider approval window opened on Thursday 26 February for providers commencing delivery in September 2026, the approval window for the Health and Science T Levels won’t open until the Generation 2 versions have been approved by the Department for Education (DfE).  Pearson will let providers know when this has been confirmed.  

Please read the following message from Pearson on their approval process:  

You must gain approval for each Technical Qualification you wish to deliver. You have until 28 June to apply for approval to start delivering T Levels in September 2026. 

Please watch our provider approval video before starting your application. 

You can find support documents and approval forms on our training and admin support page, including: 

• a guide to provider approval – start here!  

• Pearson T Level technical qualification delivery approval application form 

• Pearson vocational provider approval application for T Level Technical Qualifications  

• fast-track provider approval application form. 

Visit our training and admin support page 

If you have any questions about provider approval, please get in touch. 

Contact us via the Pearson support portal 

If you’re transitioning to Pearson for Generation 2 of the Health or Science T Levels, sign up to their monthly e-bulletin for more information. 

Welcome to our T Level provider communications area. Please see below the key updates and information to support your delivery of our T Level qualifications.  

We’d also like to thank all of you who gave feedback as part of our T Level annual review, which is essential for helping us shape future development.  

_______________________________________________ 

Approval window opening soon 

If you’re planning to deliver the Education and Early Years T Level for the first time from September 2026, you’ll need to apply for product approval with us via our website. The approval window opens on Monday 23 February and closes on Friday 26 June.  

Please note that that if your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need to apply for approval for each campus to deliver this qualification. Similarly, if your academy is part of a multi academy trust, each academy will require separate approval.   

You no longer need separate approval from the Department for Education (DfE) before applying for our approval to deliver T Levels. Read more. 

If you’d like to deliver the Digital Support Services T Level (Digital Support and Security with Pearson), Digital Business Services T Level (Digital Data Analytics with Pearson), Health or Science T Levels from September 2026, you’ll need to contact Pearson directly to apply for approval. Find out more.  

_______________________________________________ 

Assessments and bookings 

Retake rules 

Following plans on new retake policies from the DfE, we’re making changes to retakes for our T Level qualifications for students who started their programme of study on or after 1 August 2024.  

What does this mean for my students? 

Students who started their programme of study on or after 1 August 2024 will now need to complete all retakes within one year of completing their programme of study. This means that: 

• students now entering their second year will need to have completed all retakes by summer 2027 
• students in their first year will need to have completed all retakes by summer 2028. 

The original rule will continue to apply to students who started their programme of study before 1 August 2024. This means that students that were expected to complete their programme of study in summer 2025 will continue to have two years of retake opportunities.  

Which assessments can students retake in autumn and summer assessment series? 

• Core assessments will remain available in the autumn and summer assessment series: 

• the core exams must be completed within the same assessment series 

• the employer set project (ESP) can be taken within the same assessment series as the core exams or on its own. 

• Occupational specialism (OS) assessments will only be available in the summer assessment series: 

• all OS assessments must be completed within the same assessment series. 

___________________________________________ 

What does the Royal Mail and Parcelforce merger mean for the secure dispatch of scripts (yellow label) service?  

In August 2025, Royal Mail and Parcelforce announced their merger and move to a new single delivery network, which involves an integration of their IT systems.  

We’ve been working with Parcelforce and Royal Mail to mitigate the impact of any changes to our current yellow label process, which is currently operated by Parcelforce. The existing systems and process will remain in place until March 2026, and we’ll let you know about any future changes to the process and timeframes. We can confirm that the service will continue under Royal Mail into summer 2026, meaning that although the provider details may change, the service will still work as planned for returning your assessment papers. 

In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, please contact our Assessment Delivery team by email at [email protected].  

_______________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery 

Moderation key dates 

Visit our moderation webpage for a timeline covering both visiting and remote moderation, along with guidance on where to access further support.  

_______________________________________________ 

Year 1 mastery: a comprehensive CPD journey for educators 

Sign up to join us on Wednesday 4 February at 3-5pm to reflect on the first half of year one delivery, and together, we’ll evaluate progress, identify areas where you’d like further support, and refine strategies to improve engagement and outcomes for the remainder of the year.  

_______________________________________________  

Access to documents that require Portal sign in (for example tutor and provider guides):

Some documents which you would normally access by signing in to the Portal aren’t currently accessible due to the work we're doing to respond to the cyber security incident that we experienced late last year. These documents include tutor and provider guides. We appreciate that this may be inconvenient for you but want to reassure you that we’re working to make these available as soon as possible. We’ll share a further update once access is restored. Publicly available documents on the website can still be accessed as normal.  

_______________________________________________ 

Term-time checkpoints (timely delivery of VTQ results) 

Following the recent cyber security incident, we let you know that the first term-time checkpoint will no longer take place. You don’t have to complete any actions in relation to this change.  

We will instead proceed with a single term-time checkpoint. That checkpoint will open on Monday 23 March 2026 and close on Thursday 30 April 2026.  

Please share this update with exams officers, curriculum teams, and senior leaders. For full details, including qualifications in scope, information we need from you, and FAQs, visit our term-time checkpoints webpage.  

Education and Early Years

New resources now available 

We’ve launched new resources for Generation 2 of the Education and Early Years T Level. These  include five comprehensive session packs to support the effective delivery of: 

• Element 2: Supporting education 

• 2.5 Theoretical and pedagogical approaches and their application within education. 

Resources are available from the qualification page. For more information on the resources, coverage, and pricing, please refer to the resources factsheet, available on the qualification page under the ‘qualification details’ section. 

________________________________________________ 

Early Years Educator (EYE) Assignment 2, Part 1: support for competencies (Generation 1 and Generation 2 qualifications) 

Competency guidance  

To support you and your students to prepare for this assignment, we’ve created a guidance document to answer some common queries about the criteria and provide some practical tips. 

If you have any questions on the above, please contact our team via email at [email protected].   

_______________________________ 

Assessment windows opening (Generation 1 qualification) 

The assessment window for the Early Years Educator assignment 2 part 2, and Assisting Teaching assignment 2, opens on Monday 2 February and closes on Friday 15 May (as mentioned in the Key Dates Schedule). Please visit our moderation webpage for more information.   

Useful reminders   

• The latest tutor guides can be found on the T Level in Education and Early Years qualification page. Please ensure you’re using the marking bands within the most up to date tutor guide for the OS.    

• You should use the student evidence upload checklists provided by your moderator to ensure you submit the required documentation from students by the agreed deadlines.   

• You must make sure all students’ schedules of assessment are kept up to date and if there are any changes with placements, the details must be updated immediately to allow as much notice as possible to your moderator.  

________________________________________________ 

Events 

Education and Early Years T Level conference – sign up now! 

Join us at our Education and Early Years T Level conference in July 2026, which will bring together professionals from across education and industry to:  

• hear from expert speakers, who'll share updates from across the sector, innovative ideas and real-life examples 

• take part in interactive workshops designed to offer practical tips, hands-on activities, and useful strategies 

• meet and connect with peers to share best practice and explore common challenges.  

📅 Date: 1 July 2026  📍 Venue: Radisson Hotel, York  🎟️ Tickets: limited places available – sign up now! 

You can apply for remission funding from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) for up to three members of staff to attend this event. Your school or college will receive £400 funding per person for your attendance and participation on the day. For more information on how to apply for funding, please log into your ETF account. 

________________________________________________ 

Education and Early Years student conference: The professional education and early years educator 

 Prepare your learners for success in their placements and future careers by enrolling them in our upcoming Education and Early Years student conference, where they'll gain vital skills and knowledge by hearing from professionals from across education and childcare. Taking place on Thursday 12 February online, you don’t want to miss this one! 

Sign you and your students up now 

Health, Healthcare Science and Science 

Transition to Pearson  

If you’re transitioning to Pearson for Generation 2 of the Health or Science T Levels, sign up to their monthly e-bulletin for more information.  

Autumn assessment series 

T Levels autumn assessment series: what you need to know  

We wanted to remind you that we’ve updated our website with essential information about the upcoming T Level autumn assessment series, focusing on the core exams and employer set projects (ESP) that students will be completing this autumn. 

Please visit our autumn assessment series webpage for more details. 

_______________________________________________ 

T Level core paper start times  

For the 2025-26 academic session and beyond, we’ve aligned to the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) document. This means that there’s a single set of exam regulations for you and your colleagues to follow across all T Levels.  

As part of this, we wanted to highlight a point about start times, specifically assessments that have an afternoon start time, to help to avoid any confusion. 

As our Key Dates Schedule shows, the scheduled start time for T Level core assessments is 1:00pm. The ICE document states that standard afternoon start times are 1:30pm, but please note that the NCFE Key Dates Schedule takes precedent, and so these assessments should start at 1:00pm. 

Therefore, the potential window for beginning an afternoon T Level core assessment is 12:30pm to 1:30pm. This takes account of the scheduled start time of 1:00pm and the 30-minute flexibility either side. Unless an approved assessment variation or timetable clash is in place, T Level core assessments should start no later than 1:30pm.  

We’re working with JCQ to update the ICE to reflect this exception to the standard scheduled afternoon start time, in advance of the published 2026-27 version. The reason for the difference is the relative length of T Level core assessments. These are often 2 hours or longer, and starting at 1:00pm ensures that, accounting for possible reasonable adjustment extra-time requirements, students can complete their assessment within a suitable timeframe allowing for standard provider finish times. 

_______________________________________________ 

Advanced assessment materials   

This document shows when advanced assessment materials will be available, as well as who can access them and when. Download the autumn 2025 document here. 

Please note that live assessment materials (hard copies or downloaded electronic PDF versions) will be available three working days before the start date of the assessment or assessment window.   

_______________________________________________ 

Invigilation requirements for autumn series assessments  

We wanted to remind you of the options and requirements for completing T Level external assessments with NCFE.  

T Level core exam assessment options  

All T Level core exams are externally assessed. Students can complete these either on paper or online, but regardless of the assessment mode, the regulations under which they must be completed are the same.  

Supervision requirements  

All core exams must be invigilated. This is a critical control to ensure security of assessment and validity of results. You must ensure that you have sufficient suitable and trained invigilators, who are able to conduct T Level external assessments under the required conditions, allowing assessments to take place without student or provider malpractice or maladministration occurring.   

Details on the specific requirements for how to arrange invigilation can be found in the JCQ guidance for exams, and further detail on malpractice, including definitions, rights and responsibilities, and procedures that you must follow are in the JCQ guidance for malpractice. The most important documents for you to follow are:  

• Instructions for conducting examinations (ICE): this is the primary JCQ instruction for conducting exams, covering the actions required to ensure assessments are completed in a secure and consistent manner, protecting the integrity of assessments.   

• JCQ Suspected Malpractice: Policies and Procedures: this document outlines examples of potential malpractice and maladministration, and sets out the potential sanctions that may be applied where cases are proven.   

It’s your responsibility, as outlined in the NCFE Centre Agreement, to ensure you and your colleagues are familiar with all mandatory policies and requirements, and that you take all reasonable steps to comply with them. We monitor for signs of potential malpractice and maladministration, through unannounced NCFE assessment monitoring visits, JCQ Centre Inspection visits, examiner and moderator notifications, digital and data checks for things such as AI misuse. All concerns are investigated.   

The invigilator register (IR) is an essential piece of evidence to confirm student attendance and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Please upload a fully completed Invigilator Register to the NCFE portal along with all student evidence. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Support team in the first instance. 

_______________________________________________ 

Key dates and important actions 

Arrangements for the timely delivery of VTQ results and term-time checkpoint dates for 2025-26  

We’ve communicated arrangements with your heads of centres and exams contacts to ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2025-26.   

If we’ve identified that your centre runs one or more of the qualifications in scope of the government’s measures for these arrangements, we’ll have sent this information to you directly.   

We’ve created a webpage with everything you need to know ahead of our term-time checkpoints this year, including:    

• qualifications in scope of these arrangements    

• key dates for our two term-time checkpoints and results   

• information we need from you    

• consequences of failure to meet deadlines for information requests    

• further support and FAQs.    

Visit our term-time checkpoints webpage 

_______________________________________________ 

Late registration period is now open 

As a reminder, you needed to register your new cohort of students before Saturday 1 November to avoid late registration fees. For any registrations after this date, you’ll be charged a late registration fee (from Sunday 2 November until Tuesday 23 December) or a very late registration fee (from Wednesday 24 December until Friday 31 July), in line with our fees and pricing guide: 

• Late registration or registration amendment (£21) - Sunday 2 November until Tuesday 23 December 2025  

• Very late registration or registration amendment (£42.50) – Wednesday 24 December 2025 until Friday 31 July 2026 

After Friday 31 July 2026 you won’t be able to register students for the 2025-26 session.  Take a look at our T Level Portal User Guide for instructions on how to register students.   

 Please see our Key Dates Schedule for full details of key dates throughout the year. If you require any additional information, please contact our Assessment Delivery team via email at [email protected].   

_______________________________________________ 

Moderation key dates 

Our moderation webpage shows a visual timeline covering both visiting and remote moderation.   

The T Level timeline documents are designed to provide you with a clear overview of key events for both visiting and remote moderation, along with guidance on where to access further support.  

_______________________________________________ 

Summer 2026 - Occupational Specialism bookings for second-year T Level students  

Please remember that you need to book your second-year students onto their chosen Occupational Specialism (OS) for the summer 2026 assessment series by the dates below at the latest. These are the final deadlines for booking, and we encourage you to make bookings as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the cut-off date.  

This is particularly important for Generation 1 of the T Level Education and Early Years (603/5829/4), as timely bookings are required to ensure that a visiting moderator can be allocated.  

Please follow the booking instructions in the T Level Portal Guide. 

If any students are no longer completing the qualification or they are deferring until next session, please notify our Moderation team at [email protected].   

_______________________________________________ 

Supporting your delivery 

New T Level qualification materials 

Grade standard exemplification materials (GSEMs) for the summer 2025 assessment series are now available on the T Level qualification pages on our website. The GSEMs are accessible via ‘support materials’ on each T Level qualification page.    

These documents contain student responses, alongside examiner/moderator commentary, to support providers and students to prepare for their occupational specialism (OS) assessments. Please note, GSEMs are only produced for OS assessments that had students sitting in summer 2025 and where appropriate exemplar work was available.  

_______________________________________________ 

Training and events 

Standardisation training  

We’ve listened to your feedback, and standardisation training materials are now available directly on our website instead of on our Portal. We’ve made this change to make access to these materials quicker and easier for you.  

The materials are available to download from each T Level qualification page, by clicking on the ‘Support Materials’ tab and selecting  the provider standardisation drop down menu.. 

 ______________________________________________________ 

Administration training  

Administration training materials are available on our moderation page to support your teams in preparing for the 2025-26 assessment window.  

The training consists of a series of short videos covering essential processes, including:  

• how to access assessment materials 

• how to submit provider marks for moderation 

• how to view students selected for moderation and upload evidence. 

We recommend all colleagues involved in assessment administration view these videos regularly to ensure they remain confident and up to date with moderation requirements.  

___________________________________________ 

Keep your contact details up to date  

To ensure we can reach the right colleagues with important updates, please notify us of any staff changes by using our online form.  

_______________________________________________________ 

Education and Early Years

Access the latest versions of our T Level provider standardisation packs 

We’ve updated the provider standardisation packs for our T Level qualifications to version 1.1. If your students are completing the 'Health – Adult Nursing', 'Education and Early Years – Assisting Teaching', and 'Education and Early Years – Early Years Educator' occupational specialisms, please access the latest version of the pack as soon as possible. The changes we’ve made may impact your delivery. They've also been updated to contain a ‘change history record’ section on the table of contents page. 

Amends to our standardisation packs: 

Education and Early Years - Assisting Teaching: 

• standardisation training materials cover sheet amendments 

• Activity 3 material amendments 

• Activity 3 answers amendments. 

Education and Early Years - Early Years Educator: 

• Activity 1, 2 and 3 amendments. 

Health - Supporting the Adult Nursing Team: 

• Activity 2 answer amendments 

The only update made to the other provider standardisation packs is to contain the ‘change history record’. 

You can find all packs in the Support Materials section on the qualification page, under the banner ‘Provider Standardisation Training’. Please always use the latest version of the pack when completing standardisation training. 

 If you have any questions about these changes, please contact [email protected]. 

__________________________________________ 

New resources  

The Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level is a new qualification, not an update to the previous version. Because of this, the resources developed to support the new T Level are also new. This means that access to these resources is not included in previous purchases made for the Generation 1 Education and Early Years. If you’re delivering the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level, you may wish to purchase the new resources separately.  

The new Generation 2 materials will be offered on a modular basis so that you can select the elements that best meet your delivery needs. Purchasing is optional, and you’re not required to buy the new resources in order to deliver the qualification. 

Resources are available from the qualification page on the NCFE website:

T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (610/5748/4)

For more information on the resources, coverage, and pricing, please refer to the Resources Factsheet, available on the qualification page under the ‘Qualification details’ section.

In addition to the new resources, you also have access to a wide range of free support which via our events webpages. 

Why are resources not released ahead of year one delivery? 

We’re working hard to get resources to you as soon as possible. To ensure the highest quality, each resource goes through a thorough development and review process before publication, including robust quality assurance checks to confirm accuracy and relevance. Releasing resources in phases allows us to share batches as soon as they’re ready. We appreciate this may mean some resources arrive during your first year of delivery, but they’re designed to strengthen and support your existing delivery. We encourage you to use our schemes of work to support planning, and to refer to the qualification specification to ensure all mandatory content is covered. 

Key dates and important actions 

Remember to register your new students before Saturday 1 November  

You need to register your new cohort of students before Saturday 1 November. For any registrations after this date, you’ll be charged a late registration fee (from Sunday 2 November until Tuesday 23 December) or a very late registration fee (from Wednesday 24 December until Friday 31 July), in line with our fees and pricing guide.  

Please see below registration fees from 1 August 2025: 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years - £375.00 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Health - £131.50 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science - £149.50 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Science - £162.00 

Late registration or registration amendment - £21.00 Very late registration or registration amendment - £42.50  
 
You won’t be unable to register students for the 2025-26 session after Friday 31 July 2026. Take a look at our T Level Portal User Guide.  
 
You won’t be able to register students for the 2025-26 session after Friday 31 July 2026. Take a look at our T Level Portal User Guide for instructions on how to register students.   
Please see our Key Dates Schedule for full details of key dates throughout the year. If you require any additional information, please contact our Assessment Delivery team via email at [email protected].   

_______________________________________________ 

Annual Monitoring Review (AMR): complete your self-assessment form  

Once you’ve made your registrations, your Quality Reviewer (QR) will reach out to confirm the date of your AMR this session. They will provide your quality contact with a link to the self-assessment form. Please complete and return this form within 10 working days. 

The self-assessment form asks you to:  

• detail any policies or procedures that have been updated or changed since your last AMR, or since your approval review if you are a new provider 

• confirm which T Level qualifications you’re delivering this session 

• confirm that you have the correct staff, work placements, and physical resources to support delivery.  

If you’re a newly approved T Level provider and haven’t yet made registrations, please do so as soon as possible and no later than Saturday 1 November. Once you’ve registered your students we’ll allocate a Quality Reviewer who will plan your AMR and send you a link to a self-assessment form, which must be completed and returned within 10 working days.  

___________________________________________________ 

Key dates for the autumn 2025 series and details on advanced assessment materials 

The autumn series each year is aimed at resitting students from the previous series, or for those who decoupled and did not sit all components in the summer of their year one, who wish to complete their core component ahead of the summer of year two. An autumn series is not suitable for first year students, as there is insufficient time for delivery of course content between starting in September and sitting the assessments in November.  

Please add the following key dates to your diary for the Employer Set Project (ESP) assessment windows and booking cut offs for the autumn 2025 series. But remember, these are the bookings deadlines, and we would always recommend bookings for resitting students this autumn series be made as soon as possible.     

Advanced assessment materials  

Each year we carry out a provider consultation about the dates and processes related to our Key Dates Schedule. This year, you said that you’d like us to provide more detailed information around key dates relating to advanced assessment materials. These are the assessment materials which are shared with providers or students in advance of the start of the assessment window, such as Tutor Guides, or, in some cases, pre-assessment activities for students.    

In response to your feedback, we've produced a new document which shows when advanced assessment materials will be available, as well as who can access them and when. Download the autumn 2025 document.  

Please note that live assessment materials (hard copies or downloaded electronic PDF versions) will be available three working days before the start date of the assessment or assessment window.  

_______________________________________________ 

Summer 2026 - Occupational Specialism bookings for second-year T Level students  

Please remember that you need to book your second-year students onto their chosen Occupational Specialism (OS) for the summer 2026 assessment series by the dates below at the latest. These are the final deadlines for booking, so we encourage you to make bookings as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the cut-off date.  

This is particularly important for T Level Education and Early Years (603/5829/4), as timely bookings are required to ensure that a visiting moderator can be allocated. visiting moderator can be allocated.  

Please follow the booking instructions in the T Level Portal Guide. 

_______________________________________________ 

Returning papers via the yellow label service 

T Level core exam papers A and B should be returned via the yellow label service. Please remember that if you have assessments taking place on days where you don’t have daily scheduled collections (May-June only), you’ll need to book an ad hoc collection to return these exam papers.    

Contact Parcelforce Worldwide’s exams helpdesk to book your ad-hoc collection online or call the helpdesk on 0344 561 7998.  

You must prepare for this collection by packing all assessment materials (including completed papers only and the invigilators’ register) into the grey envelopes you received with the papers. Please then store these in a secure location within your centre until they’re collected by ParcelForce Worldwide.   

Yellow label returns must be arranged according to the steps outlined above and mustn’t be dropped off at the local Post Office, as this increases the risk of parcels getting lost. Read more. 

______________________________________________________ 

Share your feedback 

Provider annual review: we need your feedback  

To ensure T Levels remain at the forefront of education, we have them reviewed by industry representatives and providers each year. This ensures our qualifications remain valid and reflective of current industry practice.    

As part of this process, we’d welcome your feedback on the following T Level technical qualifications:  

• Health (603/7066/X)  

• Healthcare Science (603/7083/X)  

• Science (603/6989/9)  

• Education and Early Years (603/5829/4) (Generation 1)  

Please complete the survey before Friday 28 November to share your thoughts. Thank you to everyone who completed our survey on the Education and Early Years qualification (Generation 2) last month. 

______________________________________________________ 

Updates from the Department for Education (DfE) 

Department for Education (DfE) update to T Level funding from 2027-28   
The DfE has updated their T Levels Funding Guide 2025 to 2026 to confirm a change to the funding methodology from the 2027 to 2028 academic year onwards.  
  
Key points to be aware of:  

• for 2025-26 and 2026-27, the funding methodology will stay the same 

• from 2027-28, initial allocations will be based solely on student numbers from the start of the previous academic year (as returned in your ILR R04 or autumn school census) 

• institutions will no longer need to submit estimated student numbers to inform allocations 

• there will also be no T Level registration application process for providers planning to introduce T Levels from 2027-28 

• an in-year reconciliation process will continue, to account for any over or under delivery.  

________________________________________________  

Supporting higher education providers with T Levels    
The DfE has updated their guidance for higher education providers (mainly universities) to help them understand T Levels and how they fit with admissions. It’s useful to be aware of this guidance to help with progression conversations with your students. Read the full update. 

 ________________________________________________ 

Training and events 

Standardisation training  

We’ve listened to your feedback, and standardisation training materials will now be available directly on our website instead of on our Portal. We’ve made this change to make access to these materials quicker and easier for you.  

The materials are available to download from each T Level qualification page, by navigating to the provider standardisation section, which is located within the ‘Support Materials’ tab.  

 ______________________________________________________ 

Administration training  

Administration training materials are available on our moderation page to support your teams in preparing for the 2025-26 assessment window.  

The training consists of a series of short videos covering essential processes, including:  

• how to access assessment materials 

• how to submit provider marks for moderation 

• how to view students selected for moderation and upload evidence. 

We recommend all colleagues involved in assessment administration view these videos regularly to ensure you remain confident and up to date with moderation requirements.  

___________________________________________ 

T Level Celebration Week 

From Monday 13 to Friday 17 October: celebrating T Level success!  

We’re supporting T Level Celebration Week and we’d encourage you and your students to get involved. Share your stories and put the spotlight on your students’ successes, as well as celebrating your colleagues and placement partners who make T Level pathways possible. Download the toolkit from the DfE and visit our social media channels next week to see some of the stories we’re sharing. 

_______________________________________________________ 

Keep your contact details up to date  

To ensure we can reach the right colleagues with important updates, please notify us of any staff changes by using our online form.  

_______________________________________________________ 

Summer 2025 post-results services and understanding your students’ results 

Summer 2025 T Level results were released to students on Thursday 14 August, and there’s still time to consider one of our JCQ aligned post-results options.    

Some post-results services are still available to support students should they or you have any queries relating to their assessment results, and our deadline for requesting these are set out below:   

All requests relating to the external assessment can be submitted through the Portal, or you can use the form on our website to request a review of moderation.   

As part of our commitment to support you with interpreting T Level results, we’ve pulled together a range of key materials and guidance. These resources will help you to better understand overall performance, prepare for any autumn retakes, and reflect on your delivery for future cohorts. Read more.  

How to view final moderation reports 

You can view the final moderation reports in the Portal by using the batch reports dropdown. This can be found in the ‘download learner results’ section.    

________________________________________________________________ 

T Level readiness: autumn 2025 series  

Ahead of the autumn 2025 series, we wanted to share some key updates on our Key Dates Schedule, advanced assessment materials and entry deadlines. 

Key Dates Schedule: our Key Dates Schedule for 2025/26 and 2026/27, along with the response document to your feedback during the consultation period, are now available.  

Advanced assessment materials: due to the wide range of advanced assessment materials for each of our T Level qualifications, we’ll publish a bespoke webpage on Wednesday 1 October with all the information you need. This will include details on advanced materials for each Employer Set Project for the autumn series, who they can be shared with, and when they’ll be received.   

Entry deadlines for core assessments:  

- Entry deadlines for all core assessments (except Science) are Monday 20 October. 

- Entry deadlines for Science core assessments are Monday 27 October. 

- Standard registration for new cohorts for our Education and Early Years, Health, Healthcare Science and Science qualifications started on Monday 1 September and closes on Friday 31 October. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

Further JCQ Alignment  
As part of ongoing alignment with JCQ, from 2025-26 we’re adopting the JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations as our primary exam regulations document for T Level external assessments. This aligns our approach with other T Levels, as well as GCSE and A Levels, and aims to reduce the administrative burden on providers who previously have had to manage both the JCQ and NCFE regulations.  
 
Further information will be published on our website ahead of the autumn series.  

If you need any further information, please contact our Assessment Delivery team via email at [email protected]. 

___________________________________________________________________ 

Occupational Specialism (OS) bookings for second year T Level students  

Please note that all second year T Level students will need to be booked onto their chosen Occupational Specialism (OS) for the summer 2026 assessment series.  

We recommend completing this process as early as possible but no later than the deadline outlined below and on the Key Dates Schedule. Please ask your examinations team to follow the booking guidelines in the T Level Portal Guide. 

If any of your students are no longer completing the qualification or they are deferring until next session, please notify our Moderation team via email at [email protected].   

Standardisation materials for T Levels 

We’ve listened to your feedback, and standardisation materials will now be available directly on our website rather than via the NCFE Portal. This change is designed to reduce barriers, improve efficiency, and make access quicker and simpler for all providers.  

The internal standardisation materials will be available to download from the beginning of October 2025, within the qualifications area, located under Support Materials for each separate qualification. This CPD package is designed to be used with your teams and to support them to align assessment decisions and expectations for internally assessed externally moderated components. It will also provide an opportunity for reflection, referencing the appropriate NCFE Chief Examiner/Chief Moderator Reports from summer 2025.  

The internal standardisation materials should be accessed by everyone involved in the delivery and assessment of the qualifications and used as part of your annual standardisation activities.  

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Employer Support Fund for T Level industry placements    
As previously shared, the Department for Education has introduced the Employer support fund for T Level industry placements to support employers with essential costs related to T Level industry placements.  

Further updates were published on Tuesday 5 August, including:  

• claim deadlines and payment windows – providers must submit claims by the dates below to receive payment for placements that took place during the relevant period:  

• Tuesday 30 September 2025 – for placements delivered between April and September 2025  

• Sunday 30 November 2025 – for placements delivered in October and November 2025  

• Saturday 31 January – for placements delivered in December 2025 and January     

• Tuesday 31 March – for placements delivered in February and March 

• confirmation that the online claims tool will be available in early September 2025  

• addition of the ESF Employer Declaration Form. 

The opt-in window has now closed, therefore if an employer didn’t opt in by this date, they’ll be unable to access the fund for 2025–26.  

_________________________________________________________________________ 

Follow us on WhatsApp 

Never miss a deadline or upcoming action by signing up to receive reminders directly on your phone via our WhatsApp channel. These will include a clear recap of what you need to do and by when, as well as any links, to save you time and ensure you’re always in the know. 

Join our WhatsApp channel