March 2025 - T Level update

We are committed to supporting the delivery of T Levels as the primary large technical qualification at level 3 in the areas where they are available.

On 21 March we announced updates and improvements to T Levels to support delivery as they continue to scale up, along with data on T Level starts, which shows that over 25,000 learners started on T Levels in the 24/25 academic year. This represents a 59% increase on the previous year and shows real progress in extending the opportunities T Levels provide to more young people. It also brings the total number of students who have commenced a T Level to almost 60,000. Below is a summary of the updates and improvements, and details of the ongoing help and support available:

Updates to content and assessment

To support student access to T Levels and ensure T Levels are deliverable at scale, we are updating the breadth of content and volume of assessment. Changes to the first three routes – Digital, Construction and Education & Early Years – will be detailed soon. The changes will include:

• streamlining of core content

• improved support and guidance materials

• reduction in assessment volume in specific T Levels

To ensure that the subject names of the Digital T Levels are clearer to young people and stakeholders, they will be retitled from September 2025:

• Digital Production Design and Development will be re-titled Digital Software Development

• Digital Support Services will be re-titled Digital Support and Security

• Digital Business Services will be re-titled Digital Data Analytics.

Current and future planned T Levels

Health & Science route

As part of the review of existing T Levels, we have been considering the future of the three T Levels in the Health & Science route:

• T Levels in Health and Science continue to grow, and new delivery contracts have been awarded for September 2026 onwards, securing their delivery up to 2034.

• We have decided to cease enrolments onto the T Level in Healthcare Science, after the Sept 2025 cohort. This decision follows an evaluation of whether a separate T Level in this area is required in the long-term to meet the needs of employers and students. Moving forwards, Healthcare Science will be consolidated within the Health and Science T Levels from September 2026, ensuring students can continue to pursue assisting in healthcare science occupations.

• For learners wanting to pursue an optical services specialism, a new Level 3 apprenticeship for optical services is available and growing.

• There will continue to be a T Level Foundation Year for the Health and Science route to prepare students for progression onto T Levels in Health and in Science. Students should complete their programme to progress onto one of these T Levels, or other available pathways within the Health and Science route, including apprenticeships.

• For those providers who have already received capital funding for the Healthcare Science T Level through the Buildings, Facilities and Improvement Grant, and the Specialist Equipment Allocation, the department will not ask for money to be returned other than in the case of an underspend or ineligible spend, once the grant period has completed. Providers can use the equipment already purchased for other Health pathways or other non-T Level qualifications in healthcare science pathways.

Future Rollout

• Based on low projected learner demand, and that entrants to the sector typically progress through apprenticeships or smaller qualifications, T Levels in Beauty and Catering will not be rolled out at this time. Skills England will keep the skills needs in these sectors under review, and we will ensure technical qualifications – including T Levels - are high quality and at the level and size that work for employers and learners.