Ofqual consults on bringing all parts of T Levels under its regulation

Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England, opened a consultation on October 29, 2026 on new rules for T Levels, the two-part technical qualifications that combine a Technical Qualification with an Industry Placement. The consultation runs until December 10, 2026. It follows a Department for Education decision to open the T Level market to more suppliers and to simplify oversight.

Under the proposals, awarding organisations would aggregate overall T Level results, issue certificates and collect declarations from schools and colleges that students have finished their Industry Placement, taking reasonable steps to check the supporting evidence. They would also have to follow subject content published by the Department for Education. At present, the department sets overall results, issues certificates and receives placement reports, while Ofqual regulates only the Technical Qualification. Ofqual also plans to count the placement in total qualification time, widen review and appeal arrangements to the whole T Level, allow subject-level rules where needed and rename its rulebook the T Level Qualification Level Conditions.

According to the consultation, new T Levels in sports and social care would enter the regulated market from September 2028 and legal services from 2028, with other subjects moving across as current contracts end. The rules on placements and certification would take effect in all T Levels from summer 2029, for learners on qualifications first taught from September 2027.