What are T Levels?
The first T Levels were made available to students from September 2020 and are two-year courses for 16 to 18 years old. They will become one of three choices for learners after GCSEs alongside apprenticeships and A Levels.
They have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares learners for work.
T Levels will offer learners 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 young learners with the knowledge and experience needed to progress into employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.
What does a T Level include?
T Levels consist of several components:
- An approved Technical Qualification (TQ) that provides technical knowledge and practical skills specific to a learner's chosen industry or occupation.
- ‘On-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).
- Functional skills in maths, English and digital at a minimum of Level 2, or GCSEs in English and maths.
- Transferrable workplace skills.
- Enrichment and tutorials
Any other requirements set by T Level panel.
City & Guilds offers qualifications in Functional Skills English and Mathematics, where level 2 has not been achieved in these subjects at Key Stage 4
The TQ provides technical knowledge, practical skills and behaviours specific to a learner's chosen industry or occupation, and will make up between 900 and 1400 hours of the two-year T Level programme. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) will approve the content for the TQ, which they will base on the same standards as apprenticeships. T Levels selected providers are responsible for the delivery and management of the industry placement. You can learn more on the UK Government’s T Levels website.
T Levels will be gradually rolled out over the next few years. By 2023, there will be T Levels available for the following industries:
To learn more, visit the UK Government’s website.
Who are developing the TQs?
There will only be one Awarding Organisation (AO) for each T Level pathway.
AOs are required to follow a procurement process set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in order to develop the TQs. The successful AO is responsible for the specification development and assessment delivery of the TQ awarded.
How will T Levels be graded?
Learners who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. They will get a nationally recognised certificate to 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 learner’s overall T Level grade, which will be calculated from the grades they achieved on the core component and the occupational specialism(s).
Learners 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.
City & Guilds will not be issuing certificates.
Who are the T Level selected providers?
You can access the full T Level providers list on the government website.
How will T Levels work with other post-16 choices?
T Levels will become one of three choices for learners after GCSEs alongside apprenticeships and A Levels.
- T Levels are designed to offer a path for learners wishing to enter skilled professions. These are typically 80% in the classroom and 20% on-the-job.
- Apprenticeships are for those who wish to learn a specific occupation ‘on the job’. These are typically 80% on-the-job and 20% in the classroom. It is more suited to those who know what occupation they want to pursue, are at the working age of 16 and want to earn a wage while learning at the same time.
- A Levels are for learners who wish to continue academic education
If a learner wants to start a T Level from September 2020, which of your colleges will be offering it?
Below is a breakdown of the T Level pathways and the AQ responsible for the TQs:
Wave one – September 2020 delivery
- NCFE are responsible for Education and Childcare
- Pearson are responsible for Construction: Design, surveying and planning and Digital: Digital production, design and development.
Wave two – September 2021 delivery
- City & Guilds are responsible for Construction: On-site and Building Service Engineering
- NCFE are responsible for Digital: Business Services and Support services, Health and Healthcare Science and Science.
Wave three – September 2022 delivery
- City & Guilds are responsible for Engineering and manufacturing: Manufacturing, Processing and Control, Maintenance, Installation and Repair and Design and Development.
- City & Guilds are responsible for Business and Management: Management and Administration.
Where can I find your timeline of activities?
Please see the T Level delivery checklist on the T Level webpage.
What is the implementation timeline for T Levels?
- Sept 2020: Launch of wave one routes in Construction, Digital, Education and Childcare - taught by 54 selected providers. City and Guilds will not be offering these T levels
- Sept 2021: Launch of wave two routes in Construction (On-site and BSE), Digital, Health and Science. City & Guilds will be offering the Construction on-site and BSE route only
- Sept 2022/2023: Launch of wave three routes in Engineering and Business - City and Guilds will be offering both TQs.
How do I become eligible to deliver T Levels for 2022 delivery?
Providers who have expressed an interest in delivering from 2022 will be notified of their eligibility in May 2020. The process is managed by ESFA, please check their website for all information.
Which universities recognise and accept T Levels?
As T Levels are new qualifications, the DfE are working closely with universities to raise awareness of T Levels and their progression routes to higher education.
UCAS have published the tariff points for T Levels to support progression to higher education.
Note: Not all universities and colleges use the UCAS tariff when making offers to prospective learners, but if you’re concerned about whether a qualification will be accepted, it’s best to get in touch with the university or college directly for more details on their entry requirements for the particular course of interest.
Where can we access more information from?
We regularly update our T Level webpage, however for more information on T Levels please visit the Gov.uk website.
Which T Level TQs is City & Guilds developing?
City & Guilds is working with the Panel to develop the technical qualification specification and developing the assessment strategy for the following qualifications:
- Construction Onsite and Building Services Engineering – available for first teaching from September 2021.
- Engineering and Manufacturing – available for first teaching from September 2022
- Business Management – available for first teaching from September 2022.
Are the new T Levels TQs the same as City & Guilds current Technical Qualifications?
No. The new TQs and T Level programmes are new, and are not the same as the current Technical Qualifications.However, if you have been delivering the City & Guilds Technical Qualifications, you should be in a good position to deliver and assess the T Level TQs, as the assessment strategy for City & Guilds Technicals is very similar to that proposed for the T Level TQs (external assessment, including examinations, and synoptic assignments).