Our live chat and phone lines will be closed from 9:45 on Monday 9 November as all of our colleagues are attending a business update event. During this time, you can email [email protected] or alternatively, you may find the answer to your query on our website. We will reopen our lines from 12:00 on the same day and will respond to any emails received as soon as possible.
Approvals, onboarding and fees – Education and Early Years Generation 2
Here you'll find answers to your frequently asked questions about approvals, onboarding and fees.
How do I apply for approval to deliver the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level?
Find the T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years qualification page and select ‘Deliver this qualification’ to complete the online request form. Click ‘Deliver this qualification’ and complete the online request form. If an approval review is required, you’ll be allocated an External Quality Assurer (EQA) to carry out an approval review.
- The review must take place within 20 working days of your application.
- You must be able to support a visit within this timeframe – applications cannot be put on hold.
Before completing the form, make sure you have:
- details of key staff
- your national centre number (NCN)
- your UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN)
- the official name registered with DfE/UKPRN databases.
Please note that if you are part of a multi-academy trust or a college with multiple campuses, each individual school, academy or campus must apply for and gain separate approval to deliver the T Level. Approval does not automatically extend across all schools or campuses within a trust or college group. See our approval support page for more information.
What are the criteria for gaining T Level approval?
The full criteria can be found in the T Level section of our approvals page.
Do I need an approval review to deliver Generation 2 Education and Early Years?
If you were already approved to deliver the Generation 1 Education and Early Years T Level, your approval will have automatically transferred to Generation 2, and you do not need to apply again.
If you are not already approved, you’ll need to apply to NCFE during the relevant approval window. If an approval review is required, this must take place within 20 working days of your application.
We no longer accept new provider approval applications for Digital, Health or Science T Levels. Providers wishing to deliver these qualifications must apply directly to Pearson.
The Healthcare Science T Level has been withdrawn and there are no new Healthcare Science starts from September 2026.
Do I need separate Department for Education approval before applying?
No. Providers who meet the Department for Education (DfE) 16 to 19 funding criteria do not need separate DfE approval to deliver T Levels.
Providers still need the appropriate awarding organisation approval before delivering the Technical Qualification. For Generation 2 Education and Early Years, this approval is through NCFE.
When should I apply for approval for Generation 2 Education and Early Years?
The T Level approval window runs from February to June each year for providers planning to start delivery the following September.
The upcoming approval windows are:
- For September 2027 delivery: 22 February 2027 to 25 June 2027
- For September 2028 delivery: 28 February 2028 to 30 June 2028
Providers can apply at any point during the relevant window. Approval is for delivery starting in September of that year and cannot be gained a year in advance. For example, a provider wishing to start delivery in September 2027 must apply during the 2027 approval window.
When will my T Level approval review take place?
- We’re required by the Department for Education (DfE) to process your application and provide an outcome within 20 working days of receiving itr. This excludes bank holidays, but includes school holidays.
- If an approval review is required, you must arrange and complete it within this timeframe. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.
- If your application is rejected, you can reapply before the application window closes. Your new application will be subject to a further 20-working-day review period.
We’ve had an annual monitoring review (AMR) – do we still need an approval review?
Yes. All providers require a T Level-specific approval review. However, your AMR report will be shared with the EQA to avoid duplication.
Where can I find the fees for T Levels?
All T Level fees are published on our mandatory policies and fees page.
Can I apply to NCFE for approval to deliver Digital, Health or Science T Levels?
No. We no longer accept new provider approval applications for Digital, Health or Science T Levels.
New Digital, Health and Science T Level delivery is with Pearson, and providers should apply directly to Pearson for the relevant Technical Qualification approval.
Healthcare Science has been withdrawn and is not available for new starts.