T Levels
T Levels are a Level 3 qualification and an alternative to A Levels, apprenticeships and other vocational courses. They are equivalent in size to three A Levels and focus on developing the technical skills needed for specific careers.
Students spend around 80% of their time in the classroom learning the knowledge and skills needed for their chosen industry, and 20% completing an industry placement, which lasts at least 45 days.
T Levels can lead directly to skilled employment, higher education, or an apprenticeship.
Where can you do T Levels?
T Levels are available at selected colleges, schools and other providers across England. There are now over 20 T Level subjects to choose from, covering everything from agriculture to craft and design and engineering to science.
Pease find the link to the list of providers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providers-selected-to-deliver-t-levels
How T Levels have been developed?
The government has been reviewing post-16 qualifications to create a simpler, high-quality system that is easier for students, parents and employers to understand.
T Levels have been developed with employers and are based on the same occupational standards as apprenticeships. They are approved by the national body responsible for technical education.
A typical T Level programme involves around 1,800 hours of study over two years, including a substantial industry placement of at least 45 days. This is significantly more learning time than many previous technical qualifications.
T Levels differ from apprenticeships. T Levels are mainly classroom-based, with around 80% of learning taking place in school or college and 20% in industry placement.
By contrast, apprenticeships are employment-based, with learners typically spending around 80% of their time in the workplace and 20% in training or study. Apprenticeships are often suited to students who are ready to enter the workforce, want to earn a wage and learn at the same time.
Structure of a T Level
T Level courses include the following compulsory elements:
* A technical qualification
* Core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area
* Specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career
* An industry placement with an employer
* A minimum standard in Maths and English if students have not already achieved them
Industry placements
Every T Level includes an industry placement with an employer focused on developing the practical and technical skills required for the occupation. These will last a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) but can last longer. Employers can offer industry placements as a block, day release or a mix of these, and can discuss sharing part of the placement with another employer if necessary.
Providers will support employers offering industry placements. This will include assistance with the necessary paperwork, a careful planning process and support with designing the industry placement.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and National Apprenticeship Service (part of ESFA) are working with employers and providers on industry placements.
Grading and Certification
Students who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. They will get a nationally recognised certificate which will show their overall grade and a breakdown of what they have achieved.
The T Level certificate will include:
* 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
It will also include confirmation that the student has:
* Met the minimum requirements for Maths and English qualifications
* Completed the industry placement
* Met any additional mandatory requirements
A student’s overall T Level grade will be worked out from the grades they achieved on the core component and the occupational specialism(s).
Students who do not pass all elements of their T Level will get a T Level statement of achievement which will show the elements they have completed.
UCAS Tariff Points
T Levels will provide several progression options to students. These include skilled employment, an apprenticeship and higher education.
To help T Level students get into higher education, UCAS tariff points will be allocated to T Levels.
UCAS points will only be allocated to the overall T Level grade. Students 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 or E on the core) | DDD |
Find out more
If you’re interested in finding out more, visit the government's T Levels website where you can add your postcode to find colleges, schools or other providers who offer T Levels.
Watch industry placement videos to hear from students and employers who have benefited from industry placements. Read the T Level action plan for detailed information about how the government is developing the T Level qualifications for post-16 students.
