T Levels
T Levels are 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels. These courses have been developed with employers and education providers so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship or related technical study through further or higher education.
T Levels offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days.
The courses are available at selected colleges, schools and other providers across England including Cheshire College South and West and Wirral Metropolitan College.
T Levels differ from an apprenticeship. T Levels prepare students for work, further training or further study. An apprenticeship is typically 80% on-the-job and 20% in the classroom and is more suited to those who want to earn a wage and learn at the same time, and are ready to enter the workforce at age 16.
What can I study?
| Design, surveying and planning for construction | Digital production, design and development |
Education and childcare
 |
Hair, beauty and aesthetics |
|
Digital business services
 |
Building services engineering for construction |
Digital support and services
 |
Healthcare science
 |
| Onsite construction | Science | Accounting | Finance |
| Design and development for engineering and manufacturing |
Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
|
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing |
Agriculture, land management and production
|
| Catering | Craft and design | Legal services | Health |
| Management and administration | Animal care and management | Media, broadcast and production |
Â
Structure of a T Level
T Levels require students to undertake both a technical qualification and an industry placement with an employer.
Students will also be required to work towards the attainment of maths and English if they have not already achieved grade 4 at GCSE, as they do on other 16 to 19 programmes.
Transition Programme
The T Level Transition Programme is a 1-year post-GCSE study programme designed to support progression to, and success on, a T Level. It’s aimed at students who would like to do a T Level but would benefit from additional preparation and support before starting one.
The programme gives students the opportunity to study technical content aligned to T Levels and develop their English, maths and digital skills, alongside work experience and personal development.
Industry placements
Every T Level includes 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).
Employers can offer industry placements as a block, day release or a mix of these.
Grading and certification
Students who complete their T Level 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 confirm that the student has:
- completed the industry placement
- met any additional mandatory requirements
Entry to higher education and UCAS tariff points
To help T Level students progress into higher education, UCAS tariff points will be allocated to T Levels.
| UCAS tariff points | T Level overall grade | A level |
| 168 | Distinction* (A* on the core and distinction in the occupational specialism) | AAA* |
| 144 | Distinction | AAA |
| 120 | Merit | BBB |
| 96 | Pass (C or above on the core) | CCC |
| 72 | Pass (D or E on the core) | DDD |
Find out more
https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students
Support for learners who have left school
Learners who leave EPC after Year 11, 12 or 13 have continued support from Council Careers Guidance Team. Professional careers advisers from the team are available to see learners from schools in Cheshire West and Chester.