Major new contracts have been awarded to refresh and further develop health and science T Levels.
T levels are a level three technical education route that provide an alternative to A-levels for 16-19-year-olds. One T Level is equivalent to three A levels. These 2-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.
A T Level is split into three main sections:
- technical qualification (TQ) is the main, classroom-based element. Students will learn about their chosen sectors through a curriculum designed by employers and developed by an awarding organisation (AO)
- industry placement runs for a minimum of 315 hours (45 days) overall and will give students practical insights into their sector and an opportunity to embed the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom
- English, maths and digital provision is also built into the classroom-based element of the T Level, meaning students will be given a solid foundation of transferable skills
Health and science T Levels were initially rolled out in 2021. The original contracts to deliver these T Levels are coming to an end, so IfATE ran a competitive bidding process for awarding organisations to take them forward. The contracts have been awarded as follows:
- Health – Pearson – contract value £9.7m
- Science – Pearson – contract value £5.7m
These contracts will run until 31 July 2034.
Find out more information on IfATE.
Check out our T Levels page to learn more and what’s included.
We have created many resources including what T Levels are.
Please note that enrolments will cease for the T Level in Healthcare Science with the final cohort enrolling in September 2025. Healthcare Science will instead be consolidated within the wider route, so that from September 2026 onwards, learners wishing to pursue assisting in healthcare science occupations can do so via the Health or Science T Levels.