T levels
What are T levels?
T levels are technical qualifications that offer young people an alternative to A levels or apprenticeships. The two year courses are equivalent to three A levels and have been developed with employers and businesses to ensure what’s taught meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.
What does a T level involve?
Similar to apprenticeships, T levels include a mixture of classroom learning towards a technical qualification and ‘on-the-job’ experience via an industry placement.
The technical qualification includes core theory, concepts and skills for the industry area and the specialist skills and knowledge needed for an occupation or career in the sector. The industry placement is focused on developing practical and technical skills and will last at least 45 days.
Students will also have to study maths and English if they have not already achieved grade 4 at GCSE.
What subjects are T levels available in?
Currently, T levels are available in:
- Design, surveying and planning for construction
- Digital production, design and development
- Education and childcare
- Building services engineering for construction
- Digital business services
- Digital support and services
- Health
- Healthcare science
- Onsite construction
- Science
- Accounting
- Design and development for engineering and manufacturing
- Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
- Finance
- Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
- Management and administration
- Animal care and management
- Agriculture, land management and production
- Catering
- Craft and design
- Hair, beauty and aesthetics
- Legal
- Media, broadcast and production
See more on the T levels: What courses are available? DfE blog.
How are T levels graded?
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 their separate scores for the core component and each occupational specialism.
It will also confirm they have completed the industry placement and met any additional requirements.
Do all schools and colleges offer T levels?
T levels will only be available in England and are more likely to be taught in colleges because of their technical content.
What happens after T levels?
Your child can go on to skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher education — T level grades have UCAS points allocated to them just like A levels do.
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Usually lasting between one and five years, apprenticeships are fully paid, full-time jobs that include time to study and work towards relevant, nationally recognised qualifications. -
A levels are the traditional qualifications offered by sixth forms and colleges for students aged 16–19. -
An NVQ is a vocational qualification, which means it includes practical, work-related tasks. It’s a good choice if your child knows what job they want to do, as they’ll receive training in a specific line of work and be able to prove their practical ability to future employers.
