Welcome to the September 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
In this month’s update, you'll find the latest news, training opportunities, key dates, and practical resources to help you plan for the year ahead.
For results and post-results support, please refer to the August 2026 Creative Media Results Day update.
Important Funding update for Creative Media Extended Diplomas from 2026/27:
Funding for the following qualifications will end on 1st August 2027:
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (1080 GLH)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production (1080 GLH)
If you currently use any of these qualifications as a progression from a smaller size, you’ll need to register learners on the extended qualification from the start of their programme in September 2026.
This helps to ensure learners are registered before funding is withdrawn and avoids disruption part‑way through the course.
Please note only the 1,080 GLH sizes are affected. The smaller sizes in these suites remain funded for new learner registrations until 2029/30.
From 2027/28, centres offering Media Extended Diplomas will need to consider alternative funded routes.
Join us at our new Post-16 Vocational Qualification form briefing for Creative Media
Qualifications in Scope and Guidance
Working with us is about to get easier. The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is now live, giving centres a simpler way to plan assessments.
BTEC Creative Media qualifications in scope are:
Qualifications not in scope will continue to use the existing assessment plan template. A full list can be found in Appendix A of the BTEC Digital Assessment Plan Centre Guidance.
Training and support
Join an interactive training session to see how to access DAP through Edexcel Online, create and submit plans, and use key features - with time for questions.
Prefer informal support? Drop into one of our regular DAP Drop-In Sessions for quick answers and to share feedback.
Both run throughout the rollout, so join whenever suits you.
From summer 2027 onwards, core paper assessments will be based on the September 2026 specification.
Centres should, therefore, use the September 2026 specification when teaching the Core Content to learners who will be entered for the Summer 2027 Core Exam.
The updated Core Content includes clearer more accessible language, some corrections and additional expemplification to support centres.
Examiner reports and 2026 assessment papers are now available under Assessment Materials on the qualification webpage. These resources can support mock assessment, revision, classroom activities and discussion of assessment expectations.
A reminder that the requirements for the Industry Placment are set by the DfE, you can read their guidance below
We value your insights on the T Level Media, Broadcast and Production.
Your feedback is vital. It helps us to understand what is working well, identify areas for improvement and build the evidence needed to inform future changes to the qualification and support materials.
Whle any changes must align with regulatory requirements and standards, the feedback we receive fro providers is a key part of shaping our future development.
It will take around 15 minutes to comeplete the survey, we look forward to hearing your views
Deadline: 19th September 2026
Key Dates
| Date | T Level Media, Broadcast & Production |
|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 | Deadline for request for Review of Marking/Moderation for Summer Series 2026 |
| November 2027 | T Level Certificates released by the Department for Education for the 2025 Cohort (where eligible). |
| 1 November 2026 | Registration deadline (late registration fees apply after this date) |
| 3 December 2026 | Late student registration or amendment onto Technical Qualification |
| 1 Sept 2026 - 05 Oct 2026 | Entry Window for Core Exam Autumn Series |
| 1 Sept 2026 - 05 Oct 2026 | Entry Window for Employer Set Project. Autumn Series |
| 1 Jan 2027 - 21 Feb 2027 | Entry Window for Core Exam. Summer Series |
| 1 Jan 2027 - 21 Feb 2027 | Entry Window for Employer Set Project. Summer Series |
| 1 Sept 2026 - 05 Oct 2026 | Entry Window for all Occupational Specialisms. Summer Series |
T Level Updates
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
If your students took our qualifications in the May/June 2026 series, we'd love to hear about your experience.
Share your views on assessment themes, internal assessment processes, moderation, external assessments, and the support and resources available.
Your feedback goes directly to our senior moderators, examiners and subject teams, helping to inform future developments
The Digital Assessment Plan is now live, Please see the News and Announcements at the start of this update to check if your qualification is in scope.
Following a review of qualification availability for independent schools, we can confirm that the following Media Extended Diplomas will continue to be available for self-funded independent schools until 2030:
603/4665/6 - Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice
601/7469/9 - Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
The last registrations will now be in the 2029/30 academic year. Learners registered in 2029/30 will be able to complete their qualification in 2031. We hope this is welcome news and helps independent schools plan extended provision with confidence.
| Date | BTEC TECH Awards Key Dates ~ December / January Series |
|---|---|
| 01 June 2026 | Release of Pearson-Set Assignments for internally assessed components |
| 04 September 2026 | Entry window open for December/January internal and external assessments entries |
| 16 October 2026 | Entry deadline for December/January internal and external assessment entries Late fees will apply to all entries after this date |
| 1 November 2026 | Registration deadline (late registration fees apply after this date) |
| 16 November 2026 | Digital Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available for uploading work of sampled learners for internal assessments once all centre marks have been submitted |
| 15 January 2027 | Initial moderator feedback reports made available to centres on Edexcel Online |
| 22 January 2027 | Deadline for amending internal assessment marks following initial moderator feedback (if applicable) |
| 1 Sept 2026 - 05 Oct 2026 | Entry Window for all Occupational Specialisms. Summer Series |
| Date | BTEC TECH Awards Key Dates ~ May / June Series |
|---|---|
| 07 September 2026 | Release of Pearson-Set Assignments for internally assessed components |
| 20 November 2026 | Entry window open for May/June internal and external assessments entries |
| 11 January 2027 | Release of externally assessed tasks for: Art & Design Practice, Creative Media Production, Music Practice and Performing Arts |
| 21 February 2027 | Entry deadline for May/June internal and external assessment entries Late fees will apply to all entries after this date* |
| 12 April 2027 | Digital Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available for uploading: • work of sampled learners for internal assessments once all centre marks have been submitted • all learner work for external assessments for creative subjects |
| 21 April 2027 | High late fee will apply for all May/June entries from this date |
| 5 May 2027 | No May/June assessment entries can be processed after this date Any learners with entries that do not sit the assessment can no longer be withdrawn and will be recorded as absent |
| 15 May 2027 | Deadline for mark submission and upload of work of sampled learners for internal assessmentsPlease note: Art and Design Practice marks must be submitted 48 hours in advance of the agreed moderation visit Deadline for upload of learner work for external assessments in Art & Design Practice, Creative Media Production, Music Practice and Performing Arts |
*Learners who sat internal assessments in the December/January series can be re-entered for May/June assessments after results have been issued, and no late fees will be charged. The entry deadline for these learners is 26th March. Late fees will apply after this date.
Our training videos have been migrated to youtube
Save the dates!
19 – 23 October 2026 marks national T Levels Week.
The Department for Education is encouraging everyone to get behind the week and share what you are doing to celebrate your T Level successes and spotlight the brilliant students, teachers and employers who make all this possible.
There is a T Levels Week toolkit, including promotional assets, social media resources and guidance to help you get involved and amplify your activity throughout the week.
Please get involved with the week through events, PR and social media, and share your stories using the dedicated hashtag #TLevelsWeek.
Date: 5 October 2026
Join AccessArt for this free online event featuring:
Explore the value of arts education, the conditions that help creativity flourish in schools, and the latest insights from the Cultural Learning Alliance.
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I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please get in touch using the contact details below.
