March 2026 - T Levels update

The response to the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways consultation, published today, confirms that T Levels will be the only large qualification available in the reformed system, for students who know what broad career they want to pursue. The response confirms the largest expansion of T Level subjects since they began - including the planned introduction of new T Levels in areas such as Care Services and Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science.

The response also confirms further changes will be made to existing T Levels to enhance accessibility for students, manageability for providers and support scalability. These include:

• Working with Awarding Organisations on further reductions to assessment burden and streamlining content. We will also ask Ofqual to consult on allowing learners to retake core exams individually, where required. 
• Introducing a new delivery framework for industry placements, with more scope for providers to determine the structure of the placement in a way that works best for their students. Updated delivery guidance reflecting this new framework will be published by June 2026.

In relation to level 2 reforms, the response confirms the introduction of two pathways - a Further Study Pathway (with Foundation Certificates) leading to level 3 study including T Levels, and an Occupational Pathway (with Occupational Certificates) leading to employment. The T Level Foundation Year will remain unchanged in 2026. From 2027, it will be renamed the ‘Foundation Year’ to reflect its role in supporting progression to a broader range of Level 3 options, including, but not limited to, T Levels. As the Further Study pathway is introduced across subjects, it will gradually replace the Foundation Year. To support continuity and a smooth transition providers may continue offering the Foundation Year until the new Further Study pathway becomes available in each subject.

In addition, we have today published data which shows the continued overall growth of T Levels and how they are benefiting a widening range of young people, and data showing that the vast majority of T Level completers continue to progress to positive outcomes. We continue to support providers to scale up their T Level provision, and have also confirmed:

• c.£11 million which which has already been made available to support providers to purchase industry-standard equipment for T Levels they are delivering for the first time in high priority sectors in September 2026.
• T Level funding rates for academic year 2026/7 will include a targeted 5% uplift, focused on T Levels introduced since 2022, recognising the higher costs associated with delivery in the early stages of roll out.
• The continuation of the Employer Support Fund into financial year 2026/7, helping employers delivering the Health T Level and SMEs delivering all T Levels, to meet the essential costs of offering industry placements.
• A new Occupational Specialism in Low Carbon Heating Engineering will be added to the T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction, ready for delivery this September.
• This year’s T Levels Week will take place in October. We will confirm exact dates shortly.