T Levels

Get ready to take the next step on your educational journey after your GCSEs, and the challenge of a new and exciting type of qualification.

View T Level courses at Farnham College

Ask about T levels at our upcoming open event

Come to an open event and find out all about our T Levels and how they compare to A Levels and BTECs.

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What are T Levels?

Technical Levels (T Levels) are a new qualification that is equivalent to three A Levels.

T Levels are the new technical vocational qualifications introduced by the government to meet the demands of various industries that require a highly skilled and practical workforce. They are designed to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enter employment within industries such as Engineering, IT, Business, Health and more.

Available to school leavers after they have completed their GCSEs, T Levels offer an alternative to A Levels or an apprenticeship.

The difference between a T Level and an A level is that with a T Level, 80% of the course is in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where you’ll put these skills into practice.

T Levels have been designed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so that you will learn everything you need to prepare for the workplace. They offer you more practical work experience and industry placement hours as part of your education than any other qualification currently available, except for apprenticeships.

In fact, as part of your T Level education, you will do more than 315 hours of industry placements over the course of your two-year programme.

And because they are the equivalent of three A Levels, T Levels also give you the option to move onto university or a higher apprenticeship once you’ve completed the programme.

The entry requirements for T Levels differ from course to course, but as they are equivalent to A Levels, good GCSE results are necessary. Please see the specific courses for entry requirements.

What is the difference between T Levels and BTECS?

T Levels are advanced level 3 courses and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. They offer you a much longer period of industry placement (315 hours) and are aimed at students who are very clear on the career path they wish to pursue. The course is a combination of in-class study and work placement.

To undertake a T Level you will need confidence to work alongside managers and supervisors who will teach you a specific trade and skills, give you real job responsibilities and you will be accountable for your work.

BTEC’s are also advanced level 3 courses and are equivalent to 3 A-Levels however, they have a shorter work experience period (2 weeks) and are mainly focused on developing key skills during practical sessions in college.

Both T Levels and BTECs are the same level and are equal in terms of what you will learn. They are both equally valuable to employers and universities. The main difference is the industry placement and work experience you will gain as part of the practical side of the course.

For both T Levels and BTECs, you will need to be dedicated, highly focused and have a good sense of which career you would like to follow. Depending on your study style, you can choose whichever programme you feel would suit you more. If you don't yet have the grades for T Levels, take a look at our T Level Foundation Year.

 

How are T Levels graded?

Once you complete your T Level, there are several options that are available to you. These include moving into full-time employment, an apprenticeship or higher education. To help T Level students get into higher education, UCAS tariff points have been allocated to T Levels, which means they will be equivalent to three A Levels. UCAS points will only be allocated to the overall T Level grade, so you must achieve at least an overall pass grade to receive UCAS points.

 

UCAS tariff points T Level overall grade A Level
168 Distinction* (A* on the core and distinction in the occupational specialism) AAA*
144 Distinction AAA
120 Merit BBB
96 Pass (C or above on the core) CCC
72 Pass (D of E on the core DDD

 

Find out more about how T Levels are graded on the government website.

 

What T Levels are available and when do they start?

T Levels went live at Activate Learning in September 2021. From September 2024, we will be offering the following courses:

This T Level focuses on the digital industry and aims to give you the essential knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to any digital occupation. You’ll learn about:

  • Data and digital systems
  • How software and businesses interact
  • Security and testing
  • Planning and legal issues

You’ll then work on conducting data analysis, while learning how to extract valuable business insights from it.

You’ll be able to put everything you have learnt into practice with a substantial industry placement of around 45 days. You’ll be given an amazing opportunity to work with an employer while you study, gaining invaluable skills that employers are looking for.

This course is suitable for anyone wanting a career in IT, specifically in areas such as IT solutions or data analysis.

Career options might include: Data Analyst - Statistician, Market Research Data Analyst. Students can also progress to a higher-level apprenticeship or a degree course.

View Course

This is a new and exciting programme and is designed for those who have a keen interest in story-telling through graphic design, animation, photography, podcasting, film, radio for a variety of digital platforms.

You’ll gain an understanding of a broad range of topics relevant to the sector, with a specialism in Content Creation and Production. A meaningful industry placement means you’ll get the chance to put your skills into action! 

Career options in this industry might include: TV or film production assistant, TV or film producer, TV or film director, social media content creator, digital content creator, social media executive, content producer, and communications manager. 

View course

This T-level focuses on the legal services industry and aims to give you the essential knowledge, understanding, and skills relevant to the sector.

You’ll learn about:

  • the business environment
  • careers within the legal profession
  • regulation
  • professionalism and ethics
  • security and risk
  • equality, diversity and inclusion requirements
  • third party professional services
  • the fundamentals of law
  • the fundamentals of financial accounting
  • an awareness of digital and emerging technology, digital transformation and digital tools
  • data-driven innovation, analytics and design thinking
  • research skills
  • project and change management approaches in legal contexts

In the second year, you will complete the following occupational specialism:

  • Legal Services Assistant - Crime, Criminal Justice and Social Welfare

You will gain the industry knowledge and experience to progress into roles like: Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Conveyancing, Probate Technician, or you can go on to do an apprenticeship or into higher education.

View course

What is a T Level Foundation Year?

If you think you might like to do a T Level, but need more time to get ready, a T Level Foundation Year will help you develop your skills and prepare you for the next level.

It’s a one-year post-GCSE course designed to give you the relevant knowledge, plus both practical and study skills, as well as work experience.

You can expect to:

  • learn technical knowledge and practical skills relevant to your chosen T Level
  • gain relevant industry work experience
  • develop industry-relevant English and maths skills, as well as digital skills
  • continue working towards achieving a GSCE grade 4 in English and / or maths if you do not already have this
  • receive focused individual support and growth in personal development

What’s different about a T Level Foundation Year?

The programme is specifically designed to give you the best chance of progressing onto and successfully completing your chosen T Level. Developed with leading employers, schools and colleges who have provided their unique understanding of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that industry employers look for in future employees.

The programme will provide you with a clear understanding of what a T Level course involves, as well as guaranteeing you an interview for your chosen T Level at the end of the year.

 

Find out more

Whether you are a prospective student, parent or employer partner, there are additional resources available to find out more about T Levels.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a T Levels student, you can:

  • read more about T Levels on the government website
  • watch Department for Education’s T Level videos
  • register for an upcoming Open Event where you can speak to our teaching staff about T Levels

If your child is currently in Year 10, and thinking about post-GCSE options, you can find out more information to help make the right decision for your child’s future:

  • watch Department for Education’s T Level videos
  • visit the National Careers Service website for information and guidance on all post-16 options for your child
  • speak to the careers advisor at your child’s school
  • register for an upcoming Open Event where you can speak to our teaching staff about T Levels

Discover how our T Levels programmes can benefit your business by visiting our dedicated T Levels page for employers.