T-levels

A technical equivalent to three A-levels

Equivalent to three A-levels, T-levels are courses that follow GCSEs and are designed in direct collaboration with employers and businesses so the content meets the needs of industry head-on.

These two-year courses offer a mix of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience and provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door into skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.

Crucially, T-levels include an invaluable industry placement of at least 45 days – more than existing technical courses - to give you the best start to your career.

We currently offer the following T-levels (September 2025 start):

For more information on T-levels, visit www.tlevels.gov.uk. Please contact our Admissions team on 0121 604 1040 if you are interested in studying one of these courses.

Why T-levels?

Learn your way

T-levels bring classroom and industry placement together. You’ll spend about 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% in a workplace setting on your placement.

Backed by business

T-levels are backed by leading employers to give you the knowledge and skills for the career you want. More than 200 businesses, including Fujitsu and Skanska, have helped create them.

Pathway to university

Your T-level will be worth UCAS points – a T-level at Distinction* will attract the same number of points as 3 A Levels at A*, so you can progress to university should you wish to.

Qualification that counts

You will get a nationally-recognised certificate showing your overall grade when you pass your T-level, allowing you to progress into a skilled career, higher apprenticeship or university course.

T-levels – the essentials

How T-levels work with other post-16 choices

T-levels are one of the main choices for students after GCSE alongside:

Apprenticeships for learners who wish to learn a specific occupation ‘on the job’
A-levels for learners who wish to continue academic education
Other vocational qualifications

T-levels are based on the same standards as apprenticeships, designed by employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute). Students study over two years and typically have 1,800 hours of tuition over those years, including their industry placement. This is a significant increase on most current technical education courses.

How T-levels are developed

Employers and providers work together to develop each T-level, with support from the Department for Education and the Institute. Groups of employers define the skills and requirements for each T-level course by participating in T-level panels. This ensures that students taking T-levels develop the technical knowledge and skills required by employers in that industry.

Structure of a T-level

T-level courses include the following compulsory elements:

A technical qualification, which include specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career
Core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area
An industry placement with an employer
A minimum standard in maths and English if students have not already achieved them

Grading

Learners who pass all the elements of their T-level get a nationally recognised qualification showing an overall grade of pass, merit or distinction. T-levels primarily prepare students to move into a skilled job, but can also lead to further technical training, such as higher technical qualifications (HTQs), higher apprenticeships or a degree. T-levels are recognised by universities and carry UCAS points.

T-levels also set out the details of what students have achieved on their course including:

An overall pass grade for the T-level, shown as pass, merit or distinction
A separate grade for the occupational specialism, shown as pass, merit or distinction
A separate grade for the core component, using A* to E
Grades for maths and English qualifications
Details of the industry placement

Watch a short video from the Department of Education to see how T-levels work.