Health, Healthcare Science and Science

If you already hold NCFE T Level approval for Health, Healthcare Science and Science, you can continue to deliver to existing cohorts until they complete. 

Our final approvals for these T Levels were for September 2025 starts. If you are planning to offer either the Health T Level or the Sceince T Level from September 2026 you will need to gain approval from Pearson.  

For Healthcare Science, the final start date for new students was September 2025. Please find the latest DfE update in relation to the withdrawal of the Healthcare Science T Level at T Level update March 2025 – T Levels support for schools and colleges. 

Yes, even if you currently have NCFE approval, you’ll need to apply directly to Pearson for approval for Health and/or Science for any new cohorts starting in September 2026. 

Please be aware that the Department for Education has now completed its review of the viability of the Dental Nursing Occupational Specialism within the Health T Level. Following this review, the DfE has decided to withdraw this Occupational Specialism.  

Also, please be aware that the DfE have confirmed the Healthcare Science T Level has now been withdrawn and will not be replaced. From September 2026, students wishing to pursue Healthcare Science occupations can do so via the Health or Science T Levels.  

Please see latest update from the DfE in relation to the withdrawal of the Healthcare Science T Level and the Dental Nursing Occupational Specialism T Level update March 2025 – T Levels support for schools and colleges.

From 2026, the Health and Science T Levels will move to Pearson. Any new students starting from September 2026 will be registered with Pearson, and providers will need Pearson approval before delivery can begin. NCFE will continue to support existing Health, Healthcare Science and Science cohorts until they complete.

The DfE has withdrawn this T Level. The final start date for new students was September 2025.

Generation 2 specifications for Health and Science may have updated content and assessment models. Pearson will publish full details in advance so that providers can plan delivery.

Generation 2 specifications for Health and Science could have a different structure from September 2026. Pearson will confirm full details before delivery.

Yes, we will continue to provide retake opportunities for any NCFE-registered T Level students. Please see our Assessment dates and core exams to find out more.

We will support all students registered before September 2026 until they complete their T Level (including any resits) or are withdrawn. 

Yes. For Health and Science, we will complete current cohorts while Pearson begins with new cohorts from September 2026.

No. We advise that students are taught separately due to the potential changes in assessment structure and content for Generation 2 Health and Science. 

Sign up to our T Level newsletter to receive timely updates. To do this, please contact our Customer Support team who can add you as a contact to our system to receive T Level communications by emailing us at [email protected] or calling 0191 2398000. 

The OS component assessment is linear, meaning that learners must complete all assessments at the end of the second year of the qualification, and in the same series.

Each September, we will publish the list of PAAs for the core and optional OS in the Supporting Healthcare Tutor Guide, available on the qualification pages on our website.   

PAAs for the OS can be found in the Portal. All live assessment materials for both part 1 (core) and part 2 (O/S) are contained within the same zip folder under the A2B section. For further guidance on accessing live assessment materials watch our short video.  

The provider guides released with the live assessment materials via the Portal for each OS will give guidance on the types of evidence that must be captured for each task.  

The evidence upload checklist, which is provided within the live assessment materials via the Portal, states that audio-video recordings are required for all students for all tasks.  

You should use your professional judgement to determine the student’s most appropriate band. Final marks should be checked through your internal standardisation process before entering marks on the portal. The marks will then be checked through the moderation processes. Marks can be adjusted through either process if required.   

External clinical staff are not required to attend NCFE training prior to marking. However, you must run your own standardisation sessions using the internal standardisation training materials we provide. These materials can be found on individual qualification pages under the heading ‘Support materials’ - look for the drop-down item that reads ‘Provider standardisation training’.  

Any staff involved in marking assessment decisions must be occupationally competent as per the qualification specification, and all staff involved in marking must be standardised. 

All available sample assessments and past papers can be found on our website. At the start of each session, we will release a standardisation pack for you to use internally to standardise assessment practice. This pack will contain examples of marked work from the previous summer.  This can be found within the Support Materials tab on the qualification home page 

Yes. The provider guides released with the live assessment materials via the Portal for each OS gives guidance on the types of evidence that must be captured for each task. This includes information on when photographic or audio-visual evidence is required. 

The provider guides and evidence upload checklists released with the live assessment materials via the Portal for each OS outline the types of evidence required for each task. Providers should refer to these documents to confirm whether audio-visual evidence, still photographs, or both are required. 

Any new students starting from September 2026 will be registered with Pearson. 

Late registrations are possible – please refer to the Key dates and timetables .

No, students must complete all components of the T Level with the awarding organisation they started with.

Yes. We will continue to maintain resources for this T Level until the final cohort completes. 

We’ll continue to provide full support for your current cohorts until they complete. We’ll also work with Pearson and the DfE to ensure you receive clear information and guidance during the transition period.

Yes. Past papers, exemplars, and support materials will remain available and can be found via the NCFE website at: 

• T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science 
• T Level Technical Qualification in Health 
• T Level Technical Qualification in Science.