T Levels are a 2-year course that offer a combination of classroom and workplace learning, designed with employers, to give you the skills that industries need. They are ideal for you know if you want to get hands-on experience and learn skills that will get you a job in a technical profession, for example, engineering, science, accountancy, or media. To succeed in your chosen T Level, you need to show technical knowledge, specific learned abilities, concepts, and skills for the industry area, and a basic working knowledge of the occupations and career path in your chosen field.
Every T Level course includes an on-the-job industry placement with an employer, with 315 hours (approximately 45 days) of content and training within your chosen sector, either as day release or a block of days together. Workplace learning focuses on developing the practical and technical skills you need.
T Levels are supported by The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and National Apprenticeship Service (part of ESFA), working with employers to design the industry placement around the student.
From September 2023, our colleges will be delivering T Levels in the following:
From September 2024, the following T Levels will be available:
Core modules include:
Core modules include:
Core modules include:
During the work placement part of the T Level, you will work as a member of the team and have designated tasks and areas of responsibility, just like you would in a real work situation. Here is an example of a potential tasks that you would be expected to complete during the work placement. This example is for a Health and Science T Level.
This is an example of a potential job description.
As a Laboratory Science T Level student, you will be responsible for assisting with laboratory experiments and research projects under the supervision of experienced laboratory scientists. You will work as part of a team to carry out various laboratory tests and procedures, maintain laboratory equipment and materials, and record and analyse experimental data. You will also be responsible for following safety protocols and procedures and ensuring that all laboratory activities are carried out in accordance with industry regulations and standards.
A T Level is a 2-year course that combines an combines classroom and practical learning and industry experience to learn the skills and experienced needed to succeed in a skilled profession or to progress to more advanced technical education or training. This course is designed for aged 16 learners who have finished their GCSE’s and progressing on to studying. A T Level is an alternative option to A Levels, Vocational Courses and Apprenticeships.
Employers have helped design these courses with real life experiences, on the job training, and influences into the study programme to provide learners with the industry knowledge, core skills and develop confidence needed to enter technical employment.
Learners who pass their T Levels receive a certificate for their specialism.
See our Equivalence Table below of the different course levels needed depending on career levels.
T Levels are based on the same principle as Apprenticeships, however where an Apprenticeship is typically 80% on-the-job and 20% in the classroom, T Levels are more classroom based, but are combined with an industry placement. The total time for the 2-year T Level course is 1,800 hours, a significant increase on current technical education courses.
Yes, all T Level courses are designed by employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
On completion of the T Level course, you receive an overall grade of pass, merit, or distinction. This is a nationally recognised certificate that shows your overall grade and a breakdown of what you have achieved (called a statement of achievement).
The T Level certificate includes:
The certificate also confirms that you have:
Maths and English qualification up to level 2 are also referenced on the T Level certificate and the statement of achievement.
After completing the T Level, you have several options: skilled employment, an apprenticeship, or higher education.
T Levels assessment combines examinations on core skills, with practical skills tests including portfolios, group work, practical projects, and on-the-job tasks set by the employer. T Levels are graded A* – E which is the same with A Levels. There are 3 main development areas:
CORE – Knowledge and understanding
CORE – Employer set project
Occupational specialist content
Yes, to help T Level students move into higher education, UCAS tariff points are allocated to T Levels, which means you can use these UCAS points to progress on to University. The UCAS points are equivalent to those taking 3 A Levels or Vocational (BTEC) courses.
UCAS points are only allocated to the overall T Level grade, so you must achieve at least an overall pass grade to receive UCAS points.
Once you have achieved your T Level qualification, you have the option to apply and study at university, attain a higher or degree level apprenticeship, or move into relevant skilled employment.
To be accepted onto a T Level course you need to be aged 16-18 and have a Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4 or above or be working towards them.
T Level courses are being introduced gradually around the country, and CCCG will be launching our new T Levels from September 2023. You will be able to apply through our application portal, so keep checking our website for updates!