T Levels – More Information

T Levels – More Information

T Levels will offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). They will provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door into skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.

Students will be able to take a T Level in the following subject areas:

• accountancy
• agriculture, land management and production
• animal care and management
• building services engineering
• catering
• craft and design
• cultural heritage and visitor attractions
• design and development
• design, surveying and planning
• digital business services
• digital production, design and development
• digital support and services
• education
• financial
• hair, beauty and aesthetics
• health
• healthcare science
• human resources
• legal
• maintenance, installation and repair
• management and administration
• manufacturing, processing and control
• media, broadcast and production
• onsite construction
• science

Structure of a T Level

T Level courses will include the following compulsory elements:

• a technical qualification, which will include
  • 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 will include 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) will work 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.

Funding and support for providers

We recognise that significant additional funding will be needed for the successful introduction and delivery of T Levels.

We have already announced additional funding of £500 million a year, once T Levels are fully rolled out, to help providers meet the costs of additional teaching hours and organising industry placements.

Providers of the first 3 T Levels will be able to apply for funding for up-to-date equipment and facilities. They will also be able to access training to help prepare their teachers and leaders.

We have now published how we intend to fund T Levels, visit T Levels: next steps for providers for more information.

Timeline

Autumn 2020

First T Level courses start for specific occupations in 3 industries:

• digital production, design and development
• design, surveying and planning
• education

Autumn 2021

T Level courses start in these subject areas:

• building services engineering
• digital business services
• digital support and services
• health
• healthcare science
• onsite construction
• science

Autumn 2022

T Level courses start in these subject areas:

• legal
• financial
• accountancy
• maintenance, installation and repair
• manufacturing and process
• design, development and control
• human resources
• management and administration

Autumn 2023

T Level courses start in these subject areas:

• animal care and management
• agriculture, land management and production
• craft and design
• cultural heritage and visitor attractions
• media, broadcast and production
• hair, beauty and aesthetics
• catering