T Levels

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T Levels are new courses for post-16 students which can be taken after your GCSEs and are equivalent to three A levels.

The 2-year course offers a combination of classroom and workplace learning, designed with employers, to give you the skills that industries need.

T Levels 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.

T Level courses and timeline

From September 2023, CCCG colleges will be delivering T Levels in the following:

Digital
Health and Science
Education and Childcare

How are T Levels different to an apprenticeship?

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.

Are T Levels a recognised qualification?

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:

an overall grade for the T Level, shown as pass, merit, distinction or distinction
a separate grade for the core component, using A* to E
a separate grade for each occupational specialism, shown as pass, merit or distinction

The certificate also confirms that you have:

completed the industry placement
met any additional mandatory requirements

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.

How will I be assessed?

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.

Do T Levels qualify for UCAS points?

Yes, to help T Level students move into higher education, UCAS tariff points are allocated to T Levels.

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.

Entry to higher education and UCAS

What can I do next?

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.

When can I apply to do T Levels?

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!