If you’re looking for the next step after GCSEs, and want to start gaining valuable work experience and enhance employability without cutting down your chances of pursuing higher education, then the T-Levels could be for you…
What are they?
Launched in 2020, T-Levels are 2-year courses taken after GCSEs that are about the equivalent of three A-Levels. The key difference is that T-Levels were developed in collaboration with employers, with the intention of preparing students for employment within specific industries. There’s an emphasis on practical, skills-based learning and blends on-the-job experience with in-class teaching.
What kind of subjects do T-levels cover?
From September 2022, the range of subjects available is expanding to include things like accounting, engineering and management, adding to the subjects already available such as construction-related T-Levels, education, childcare and health-related T-Levels, and digital business and design-based T-Levels. The range available will be expanding further in 2023. You can check out the full list of T-Level subjects here.
I’m not sure whether or not I want to go to university. Are T-Levels a good option?
Yes, many universities will accept students who have undertaken T-Levels rather than A-Levels (the full list is here). UCAS, the body responsible for University applications, have allocated UCAS points to T-Levels to show universities how they compare to A-Level grades. However, it’s important to note that UCAS points are only awarded to T-Level students who have passed. If you don’t pass or complete the course, you won’t get UCAS points, and won’t be able to get into university. But you won’t be closing off your options by choosing T-Levels.
Who are the T-Levels for?
The T-Levels are great for someone who wants to get some hands-on experience in the field they want to work in, whilst studying. They sit in between apprenticeships and A-Levels, where you have on-the-job experience, but significantly more classroom study than apprenticeships (and you’re much less likely to be paid). You also gain UCAS points, making it possible to access higher education afterwards, should you decide to do so. T-Levels offer a lot of transferable skills, which are attractive to admissions teams and future employers alike!
Can I do my T-Levels anywhere?
At present, there are just over 450 places where you can study T-Levels across the UK. Not all colleges, schools and education providers host T-Level courses, so if it’s something you’re interested in you can use this search engine to find one near you.
What do the T-Levels entail?
The course is approximately 80% classroom learning, and 20% hands-on industry experience. The expectation for T-Levels is an investment of 1,800 hours over the course of 2 years, 315 hours of which will be the industry placement (about 45 days). Once you’ve completed the course, you will receive a nationally recognised certificate showing the grade you have achieved (pass, merit, distinction, or distinction*).
I’m not sure I’m ready to go straight to T-Levels…
Want to do T-Levels but are worried your industry-relevant English & maths skills might need brushing up? If you think you could benefit from additional teaching and support before starting, speak to your education provider about the T-Level Transition Programme. It helps equip you with the skills and relevant knowledge you’ll need to thrive in the T-Levels, as it’s tailored to the T-Level course you’re planning to undertake. It helps to lay the foundation for success when you begin your course.
All in all, the T-Levels are a fantastic option for someone who is interested in a career linked to one of the courses, and wants to gain practical skills and experience attractive to employers while keeping their options open for higher education. Having been created with help from internationally-renowned business leaders, and with the vast majority of good Universities accepting applications from T-Level students, you’ve got nothing to lose!
Want to find out more?
We teamed up with ACCA, Pearson, Azets and Walsall College who hosted a webinar where they shared their expertise about T-levels. They also had a student who shared their first-hand experience of T Levels in accountancy. Click here to watch it now on-demand.
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