T Level foundation year

The City & Guilds T Level foundation year is a full-time one-year study programme developed in conjunction with TLevel providers to support progression onto a T Level.

Foundation year programmes are for learners who may not yet be ready for a T Level or are undecided about their next steps.

How a T Level foundation year can be structured

Providers can tailor their programmes to meet learners’ individual needs and their own requirements and capabilities. Providers also have discretion over how to achieve the national technical outcomes for each component.

1. Diagnostic, monitoring and guidance

Each learner's learning, development and pastoral needs must be identified to tailor the rest of the programme.

This will help learners to make an informed choice about which T Level route to prepare for.

2. English, maths and digital

Learners who have not achieved English and/or maths GSCE grade 4 are required to continue to study towards this as a condition of funding. 

Functional skills in maths, English and digital boost employability, increase confidence and open up opportunities for learners.

Learn more about our comprehensive functional skills qualifications >

3. Experience of the workplace

Effective work preparation is crucial in supporting learners to build the skills and confidence they need for their TLevel industry placement, such as professional workplace behaviour, teamwork and relationship building and awareness of organisational policy and procedures.

Explore our employability skills qualifications >

4. Pastoral support, personal development and enrichment

Learners should have access to relevant and meaningful personal development and enrichment opportunities to develop the study skills they will need for success on T Levels as well as positive behaviours and key transferable skills for success in the workplace. 

5. Technical knowledge and skills

The foundation year should give learners a broad introduction to their chosen T Level route with industry-relevant technical knowledge and practical skills. The purpose of this component is to provide introductory content as a stepping-stone to what will be covered in the learner’s chosen T Level.

City & Guilds funded qualifications and units

City & Guilds provides several funded qualifications and units for 16–19-year-olds that meet the requirements for the foundation year components, allowing for flexibility to tailor the programme to the skills, experience, knowledge and behaviours learners need to progress on to a T Level.

Employability skills

Our Functional Skills qualifications provide learners with the essential skills to navigate real-life situations, support future employment opportunities and further their studies confidently and successfully.
They focus on both the underpinning skills and on the ability to apply maths, English and digital skills in different contexts.

Find out more