A Level 4 apprenticeship sits at the same level as the first year of a full degree. It is for people already in work who need more depth in a role, such as a team leader, an operational manager or a technical specialist. At TESS the lead Level 4 standard for AI is the AI and Automation Practitioner (ST1512).
How long it takes
Length follows the standard, not a single national timetable.
- The AI and Automation Practitioner is 15 months in all, with 12 months of live online training. Closed cohorts can take an 8 month fast track.
- The Data Analyst Level 4 (ST0118) has a 12 month accelerated option for closed employer cohorts.
How the levy funds it
A Level 4 apprenticeship is funded from your levy, or by the government for training and assessment up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged 16 to 24. Who pays depends on whether you pay the levy, the apprentice's age and the start date. The rules are on our funding page. To see the shape of an account, use the apprenticeship levy calculator.
Level 4 programmes TESS runs
AI and Automation Practitioner
The lead card. Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner (ST1512). Live online, no coding, Coachy with every learner, and up to five qualifications: BCS Foundation in AI, Microsoft AB-730, NCFE AI Prompt Mastery, NCFE Data and NCFE Cyber Security Practices. NQual is the assessment partner.
Claude, Copilot and Gemini editions
The same standard, taught around the tools a team already has: Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.
8 month fast track
Closed cohorts can take the 8 month fast track of ST1512. Same standard, compressed delivery.
Data Analyst Level 4
Data Analyst Level 4 (ST0118) for employees who already work with data, with a 12 month accelerated option for closed employer cohorts.
Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5
| Level | Where it sits | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Equivalent to an A level | People starting in a specialism |
| Level 4 | First year of a full degree | People deepening a role they already hold |
| Level 5 | Second year of a full degree | People who need a more strategic brief. For AI leadership, TESS runs short units rather than only a long apprenticeship |
The full map is in choosing the right level. The Level 5 AI leadership units are a different route from a Level 4 apprenticeship: about 30 hours each, with no end point assessment.
How to choose a provider
72% distinction rate across TESS apprenticeships, from results in 2024 to 2026, against a UK average of about 33%. Ofsted graded TESS Good. ST1512 was approved in December 2025, so no provider has ST1512 results yet. Ask any provider which results belong to which standard.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Level 4 apprenticeship?
A Level 4 apprenticeship sits at the same level as the first year of a full degree. It is for people already in work who need more depth in a role, such as a team leader, an operational manager or a technical specialist.
How long does a Level 4 apprenticeship take?
It depends on the standard. The AI and Automation Practitioner takes 15 months in all, with 12 months of live online training, or an 8 month fast track for closed cohorts. The Data Analyst Level 4 has a 12 month accelerated option for closed employer cohorts.
How is a Level 4 apprenticeship funded?
Funded from your levy, or by the government for training and assessment up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged 16 to 24. Who pays depends on levy status, age and start date. TESS confirms the position on a discovery call.
Which Level 4 apprenticeship suits a team that wants to use AI?
The AI and Automation Practitioner (ST1512) is the Level 4 standard for using AI and automation at work, with no coding. Editions cover Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Data Analyst Level 4 suits teams whose work is data.
How do we choose a Level 4 provider?
Ask for results you can check, the assessment partner, and how the programme is delivered. Across TESS apprenticeships, 72% of apprentices achieve a distinction, from results in 2024 to 2026, against a UK average of about 33%. Ofsted graded TESS Good. ST1512 was approved in December 2025, so no provider has ST1512 results yet.
Book a 30 minute discovery call
Thirty minutes with TESS. We will match the route to the role and the funding position.
Book a 30 minute discovery call