NPQ Comparison Chart

National Professional Qualifications - Which one is right for you?

	NPQML	NPQSL	NPQH	NPQEL
Who's it for?	Aspiring or current middle leaders leading across a team	Aspiring or current senior leaders leading across a school	Aspiring or current headteachers leading a school	Aspiring or current executive leaders with responsibility across more than one school
Who can apply?	Key Stage leader Curriculum leader Subject leader Head of Department Any similar leadership role	Deputy Headteacher SEN Coordinator Assistant Headteacher Any similar leadership role	NLE Deputy Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Headteacher Any similar leadership role	Headteachers Executive Headteachers School Improvement Directors Any similar leadership role
Intakes	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring
Duration	12–18 months	12–18 months	12–18 months	12–18 months
DfE funding available	✓ *	✓ *	✓ *	✓ *
DfE accredited	✓	✓	✓	✓
No. of face-to-face days	3	3	5	6 incl two 2-day residentials
No. of online courses	3	3	3	3
Personal online tutor	✓	✓	✓	✓
Coaching	✗	✗	✓	✓
Guided learning hours	84	84	106	115
Assessment	School improvement project across a team - see examples	School improvement project across whole school - see examples	Two school improvement projects in own school and placement school - see examples	Design improvement strategy for own school and lead a project to improve progress and attainment across several schools - see examples
Master's credits	Up to 40**	Up to 60**	Up to 100**	Up to 60**

* applicable for schools in category 5 & 6 areas and MATs or Dioceses with 1 school in category 5 or 6 area

** number of credits awarded is at the discretion of universities