T Levels at Blackpool and The Fylde College

Got your sights set on a highly skilled and rewarding career?

The new T Level qualifications could be for you…

What are T Levels?

T Levels are a new technical qualification, available from September 2020.

Here’s what you need to know:

- just one 2-year qualification, equivalent to doing 3 A-levels
- the maximum 168 UCAS points needed for university
- a significant industry placement, totalling 315 hours
- designed with employers (real skills for real careers)

Who are they for?

T Levels are for young people who are academically strong and ambitious to get ahead in high-level technical occupations (currently in big demand in the economy).

Why have they been introduced?

T Levels are a big part of the government’s plan to transform UK education. They will create a new generation of highly skilled workers needed for the UK economy.

What’s so good about them?

T Levels are career rather than subject-based, with a significant industry placement allowing you to develop the knowledge and skills you need to compete for the best university places, higher/degree apprenticeships and highly skilled careers.

What’s available?

The first three T Levels will be available from September 2020 and we’re excited to be the ONLY college in the North West to be chosen by the government to deliver all three!

Choose from:

• Digital Production, Design and Development (Digital)
• Design, Surveying and Planning (Construction)
• Education

More T Level pathways will be rolled out from 2021. Subjects will include Finance and Accounting, Engineering and Manufacturing, and Creative and Design.

What are the entry requirements?

You will need 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths.

If you choose the Primary Teaching route of the Childcare and Education T Level you will also need a science-related subject.

What’s covered?

T Levels are studied five days a week, with 80% of your time in the classroom and the other 20% on a relevant industry placement, getting real on-the-job experience.

Each T Level is made up of:

• core industry skills and knowledge
• specialist skills and knowledge relevant to your chosen career
• a 315-hour industry placement with an employer
• relevant maths, English and digital skills

You will be assessed by exams for the core skills and practical skills tests for the occupational (career) specialisms.

Where do they lead?

T Levels lead to a nationally-recognised qualification with an overall grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction.

They equip young people to progress to university, highly skilled employment or a higher/degree apprenticeship.

T Levels versus A Levels

T Levels and A Levels have exactly the same entry requirements and both lead straight to university.

If you have a specific career goal, a T Level will give you the experience and skills needed to get a head start into your chosen area.

University entry requirements are based on the UCAS Tariff.

The tariff allocates points to each qualification grade so you can easily work out what you need for a particular course. The table below shows how T Levels equate to A-levels.

^{The table above is based on achieving the same grade for each A-level. However, UCAS tariff totals can be achieved through different A-level grade combinations based on the following A-level grade points: A*=56; A=48; B=40; C=32; D=24; E=16.}

Careers beyond T Levels

T Levels are a great option for students with a career in mind who want to experience the workplace while learning essential skills for the job of your dreams - or higher education.

Here are the T Levels and your likely career paths:

Digital Production, Design and Development (Digital)

• Software Developer
• Game Developer
• Software Tester
• Application Developer
• Web Developer

Design, Surveying and Planning (Construction)

• Architecture
• Building Surveying
• Land Surveying
• Quantity Surveying
• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Estate Agency

Education

• Support Worker
• Early Learning and Childcare Practitioner
• Teacher
• Nursery Manager
• Teaching Assistant
• Education Welfare Officer

Find out more

• Read B&FC's T Levels brochure
• Pop in to one of our open events
• Call 01253 504343
• Email info@blackpool.ac.uk