This page answers the frequently asked questions about T Levels. The questions are grouped into three categories, Application, Industry Placement and Progression.
T Level Application FAQs
What happens if students aren’t successful and/or don’t get the minimum grades?
In order to study a T Level you will need to achieve the minimum grades requested by the course. This does include 5 GCSES, including Maths and English.
Why would I choose a T Level rather than an apprenticeship or other vocational qualification?
T Levels has been created by employers to support the next generation. You have the opportunity to achieve equivalent of three A Levels. A T Level is split between 80% of the time in the classroom, and 20% in the workplace. You will undertake an Industry Placement, which only enhance your skillset and experience.
You might not be ready to embarked into employment at this stage. The T Level will help you to improve your employability skills and build your confidence.
What will a typical week look like? How many hours a week would I be in college/industry placement?
Each timetable is organised by each curriculum. Therefore, these do vary between each T Level. You will be informed of your timetable at the beginning of your course.
Typically, your course will be required you to attend your industry placement on a weekly basis. You will need to have completed at least 45 days to achieve your T Levels.
What age students can apply?
You have to be aged 16-19.
Can I do an A Level alongside the T Level? A Level Physics with Construction or A Level computer science with the Digital T Level?
Due to structure of T Levels it will not be possible to complete an A Level alongside.
Do you need GCSE in that chosen area before doing the T Level? E.g. GCSE in IT before doing the Digital T Level?
It is not a requirement but it certainly will help as your journey through the T Level. It also demonstrates your commitment to the sector.
How will we get assessed in the classroom and whilst on placement?
You will be set agreed objectives for you to work towards while on your industry placement. Further to this, you will have a member of staff from college visit you while on placement to observe you in a working environment.
How do the T Level course modules differ from a BTEC?
The key difference is the T Level has been written with employers from your chosen sector. The modules are also linked to your industrial placement. The experience and knowledge gained will help you to secure employment within the sector.
Will the teachers be the same on the BTEC as well as the T Level?
There may be some lecturing staff who cover both T Levels and BTECS, however, they will be focusing on specific course content related to your chosen pathway.
Will there be exams?
Yes – there will be but you will be fully supported to prepare for them.
Can I change halfway through the 2-year course to a normal BTEC?
Subject to availability this might be possible, however you will have to start the BTEC at year one.
How many days will I have to be in college?
This will depend on your timetable. You should expect at least one of your days per week to be based with your industry placement provider.
What do I get if I don’t do all the placements?
We will work hard with employers to prevent this from happening.
If I want to enter a specialist career, should I complete a BTECs, apprenticeships, A Levels or T Levels?
It will be important to use career information advice and guidance websites to outline what routes you may need to take to succeed in entering your first career choice. It will be useful to speak to our career officer about what route you may want to take.
Can I leave after the first year and get a job? If I do, what qualification do I get?
If you leave after the first year of the T Level you will receive a credit certificate from the award body that recognises your achievements for the first year.
Industry Placement FAQS
Will my placement be a full day?
Industry placements aim to reflect a normal working day, so you will be expected to complete a full day.
Can we choose which businesses we do the industry placements with?
We do encourage students to identify organisations they would like to complete their industry placement at. However, there will be checks we would need to complete, and to ensure that the role you are doing is relevant to your course.
Will I have to find the industry placement or will the college help me do this?
The careers and employability team will support you to identify a suitable industry placement. We already work with a range of employers. We will be able to discuss this further during the employability skills programme.
You can source your own industry placement however the job role must relate to your chosen T Level.
Will there be any help/support with travel to industry placements or purchasing of uniform if necessary?
We do look at what additional support is needed by learners. If there are specific items needed on your industry placement do let us know.
What happens if the company I do my placement with goes into administration?
You can complete your industry placement at up to two employers. Therefore, if this were to happen the careers and employability team would support you identify an alternative placement. The hours you completed at your first organisation would count to your total hours.
Do we get confirmation of which business we will be doing the placement with prior to enrolling onto the T Level?
No, the careers and employability team will work closely with you during your T Level to identify a suitable placement. We currently work with a range of employers, which will be discussed during your course.
Will we be just ‘shadowing’ the staff in the work placement or get a chance to do the work ourselves?
At the beginning of your industry placement, there may be an element of shadowing to ensure you are confident and understand what is involved. However, it is expected that you will be undertaking work yourself.
If the placement or workshops require a uniform or health & safety equipment, will we have to pay for these ourselves?
We do look at what additional support is needed by learners. If there are specific items needed on your industry placement do let us know.
Are the companies risk assessed?
Health and safety risk assessments are completed by the college on the organisation before any student can start an industry placement.
If we have to do online/virtual learning – will we miss out on placement days?
All organisations we work with go through necessary health and safety checks, which include COVID-19. Therefore, your industry placement does run for a minimum of 315 hours which you would need to complete to achieve your full T Level.
I have a part time job, can I use this as my placement hours?
This very much depends on the part time job you have and the T Level you are studying. Part time jobs can be utilised as an industry placement if they are occupationally relevant. There will be additional checks that the part-time job has to go through as well.
Will there be other students at the same placement?
There may be multiple learners at the same placement. This is entirely depending on how many learners the organisation can support. However, you will need to ensure you focus on your responsibilities and work towards your individual targets.
If I don’t like my industry placement can I change it?
We advise you to try and identify a placement provider that is beneficial from day one. However, we do understand that there may be times when an Industry Placement finishes early. You are able to complete an industry placement with up to two employers.
It is possible but it will be subject to availability and must be related to the course you are studying.
Will I get paid for my industry placement?
An industry placement primary focus is to give you the experience and to develop your skills. This will support you with your future career. Therefore, there is not expectation that you will be paid.
Should you find an employer who is willing to pay you, this is acceptable. However, the industry placement must be related to the T Level you are studying.
Will I be graded by my employer?
Your performance while you are on an industrial placement will be monitored and will impact on your qualification grade.
Progression FAQS
Will I be able to go to university/gain UCAS points from a T Level?
– 168 Distinction* (A* on the core and distinction in the occupational specialism)
– 144 Distinction
– 120 Merit
– 96 Pass (C or above on the core)
– 72 Pass (D or E on the core)
In future, can I go to university to study medicine or pharmacy from the T Level in Health – supporting adult nursing or would I have to do A Levels?
T Levels will be recognised by universities and have UCAS points as do A Levels. The T Level in Adult Nursing is intended for applicants who want to progress within the pathway. Although, you will gain transferable skills we recommend that your check with your university of choice for their entry requirements.
Will I be able to move to a Higher-Level Apprenticeships with this qualification?
There are variety of progression routes for you once you complete your T Level including Higher apprenticeships, university and employment.