Important: This is the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level for delivery and registrations from September 2025. 

If you have any queries about the Generation 2 Education and Early Years T Level, please take a look at our FAQs webpage.

About this qualification 

The technical qualification (TQ) forms part of the T Level study programme. 

The purpose of the T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years is to ensure students have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into skilled employment or higher-level technical training relevant to the T Level. 

UCAS points 

The T Level study programme is eligible for UCAS points. Please check the UCAS website for more information. 

Performance points 

The TQ is eligible for performance points. 

Who is it suitable for? 

This TQ is suitable for post-16 students looking to develop both knowledge and skills in the education and early years sector.   
This TQ will support students on to a range of progression routes including employment, higher education and higher apprenticeships. 

What are the entry requirements?   
This TQ is designed for post-16 students. 

There are no specific prior skills/knowledge a student must have for this TQ. However, students would be expected to have a level 2 qualification or equivalent. 

How is this qualification structured? 

The TQ is split into 2 component parts: 

Core component: the knowledge and underpinning concepts, theories and principles as well as core skills for the education and early years sector. 

Occupational specialisms: 

• Early Years Educator

• Assisting Teaching 

Students will only complete one occupational specialism. 

The occupational specialisms provide students with knowledge and skills required to enter employment or further study in the specific occupational area. 

How is it assessed? 

Core component: 

• examination 
• employer set project 

To achieve a grade for the core component, the student must attempt both the core examination and employer set project (ESP) sub-components. The results from these will be aggregated to form the overall core component grade (A* to E and U). 

If students do not attempt one of the sub-components, an overall component grade will be withheld, pending the attempt of both. If students fail to reach the minimum standard across sub-components after attempting both, they will receive a U grade for the component. 

Occupational specialism component: 

• synoptic assignments 

The student is also required to successfully achieve a distinction/merit/pass grade in one of the occupational specialism components. If the student fails to reach the specified level of attainment, they will receive a U grade. 

Experience in the workplace 

As part of achieving the overall T Level programme, students are required to complete an industry placement. The hours required depends on their chosen occupational specialism: 

• Early Years Educator – a minimum of 750 hours 
• Assisting Teaching – a minimum of 315 hours 

What related qualifications can you progress to? 

Students who achieve TQ could progress to the following: 

• higher education 
• apprenticeship 

Career opportunities 

Students who achieve this TQ could progress to the following, depending on their chosen occupational specialism: 

• early years educator 
• education technician 
• primary/secondary/tertiary teaching and support assistant 

Funding for our qualifications 

Find out more about funding for this and other qualifications on our funding page. 

Key dates 

Please see the Key Dates Schedules below for a timeline of the key dates for this TQ. 

Useful links 

Regulations for the conduct of external assessment 

Qualification specific instructions for delivery (QSID)