What are Meeting Local Needs?
Centres traditionally use Meeting Local Needs (MLN) units to tailor a programme to the individual requirements of local students or employers, while ensuring it remains coherent and continues to reflect the standard and vocational purpose of the qualification.
All units imported to meet local needs must be at levels 3 (QCF), 4 or 5, and must not exceed the maximum credit value for imported units defined for the qualification. The unit must be from that level/suite of qualifications:
BTEC Level 3 Nationals (QCF): The maximum amount of MLN credits allowed is dependant on the total credit value of the qualification, please refer to the relevant specification.
BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificates: Centres can import a maximum of 30 credits.
BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diplomas: Centres can import a maximum of 60 credits.
Please note that units from the 2010 Higher National suite cannot be imported into Higher Nationals accredited from 2016.
RQF qualifications do not include Meeting Local Needs (MLN), so Pearson would need to set up a temporary structure to allow your learner(s) to certificate. Please see Adding Optional Units to BTEC RQF Qualifications for further support.
MLN units imported into the RQF Higher National Certificate must be at Level 4 and into the RQF Higher National Diploma at Level 5.
How to apply for MLNs?
For Level 3 QCF qualifications, please create a new case record, and a Customer Services Specialist will send you the MLN application form.
For Level 4/5 Higher National qualifications, please complete an online form located on our website here under the Meeting Local Needs (MLN) section.
Deadline for MLNs
The deadline to apply for MLN is 31 January each year.
Late MLN applications
Late MLN unit requests must be authorised by Pearson’s BTEC Higher National and Pearson’s regulatory teams.
Therefore, to add additional units onto a vocational qualification after the MLN deadline has expired, please create a new case record with your request.
A Customer Services Specialist will send you an MLN form, and once the form has been completed, please attach it along with a list of learners that require the additional unit to the case record.
The Customer Services Specialist will then contact the relevant authorising teams with your appeal, and will also update the case record once an outcome of your request has been agreed.
A late MLN application for a Level 4/5 Higher National qualification can still be submitted using the online form located on our website here under the Meeting Local Needs (MLN) section; however, this will be subject to a late fee charge of £500.
In all cases, before submitting an MLN request, please remember that Meeting Local Needs units can only be used to replace optional units(please refer to subject specifications). In respect of Core or Mandatory units, all other rules of combination must be adhered to.
Related Articles:
Pearson Support Portal: Creating An Account
Pearson Support Portal (Staff at Centres & Associates): Creating A Case Record
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