T Level Guide for Students

WHAT
ARE
T LEVELS?
A guide for students

There are lots of options
available after GCSEs including
A Levels, vocational courses
and apprenticeships. Deciding
what to study can be daunting,
especially when there are new
qualifications like T Levels to
consider. Take a look at this
simple guide which explains
everything you need to know
about T Levels.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are practical career focused
qualifications for 16 to 19 year olds
which are studied over 2 years.
They’re equivalent to three A Levels
and combine classroom study with
a 45 day industry placement to
prepare you for the world of work,
or further study like a higher-level
apprenticeship or university.
They offer an ideal first step into
your future career and as they’ve
been designed by employers you
can be confident that you’re being
taught the skills and knowledge
relevant for your chosen industry.
A T Level is made up of:
● A technical qualification - You will
spend 80% of your time at college
studying for this qualification
●
An industry placement - 20% of a
T Level is an industry placement
with an employer, which will
last a minimum of 315 hours
(approximately 45 days)

What T Level subjects are there?
T Levels cover a wide range of sectors
and interests. We offer T Levels in the
following areas:
● Business
●
●
●
●
●
Construction
Digital Technologies
Early Years
Engineering
Health and Social Care
What’s the difference between T Levels
and A Levels?
The main difference between
T Levels and A Levels is that T Levels
focus on one subject while A Levels
are multiple subjects. T Levels are
more practical/vocational, whereas
A Levels are more theoretical.
What’s the different between T Levels
and a vocational course?
T Levels are the technical equivalent
to three A Levels. They cover:
● core theory
●
concepts and specialist skills
● knowledge for a specific
career or occupation.
The main difference between the
T Level and a Level 3 course is the
compulsory industry placement.
What grade will I get for studying a
T Level?
You will receive an overall grade of
pass, merit, distinction or distinction*.
Will I be able to go to University after
I’ve studied a T Level?
Yes, T Levels have been designed to
provide students with the knowledge,
skills and experience needed to
progress onto a range of options
including work, higher education
or apprenticeships. If you achieve
Distinction* in your T Level this is
the same as 3 x A* at A Level.
Here’s a guide to the T Level
grades compared to the A Level
equivalent and UCAS Tariff points:
T Level Grade
A Level
Equivalent
UCAS
Tariff
points
Distinction* A* A* A* 168
Distinction A A A 144
Merit B B B 120
Pass
(C or above
on the core)
Pass
(D or E on
the core)
C C C 96
D D D 72
If you don’t want to continue your
studies after T Level, going straight
into employment is an option and
thanks to the industry placement,
you will have a head start on the
skills you’ll need in the workplace.

What are the entry requirements for
a T Level?
To be able to study a T Level
with us, you will need to achieve
5 GCSEs at grades 5 – 9
including English and maths.
Will I need to find my own industry
placement?
No, you don’t. We’ve got a dedicated
team who work with employers
from across the region to secure
placements for our T Level students.
Will I get paid when I am on my industry
placement?
No, you won’t be paid when
you’re on placement.
What are the benefits of studying
a T Level?
Studying a T Level helps you
● find out more about the career
opportunities open to you
●
●
●
build essential skills, such as
teamwork and communication
put your skills and knowledge into
practice in the real world of work
build contacts with employers.
As well as helping you to make more
informed choices about your career
pathway, you’ll get experience
that employers are looking for.
T Levels are a good option even if
you only have a rough idea of the
career or field you’re interested in.
The study and industry placement
aren’t linked to a specific role or
job. Instead you’ll be given broad
exposure to an industry and the
many different roles it offers.
“We think it’s great that T Levels are courses designed
with employers. We actively get involved with Gateshead
College to feedback what skills should be covered to make
sure that they give students the skills employers like us are
are looking for. The placements give students a chance to
see what the working environment is like and apply their
learning in a real-world setting. Placements also allow
them to get a better understanding of the industry they’re
interested in and even open them up to new possibilities they
were not previously aware of.”
James Hanson, Managing Director, Layers Studio.

Chloe Perrin completed the T Level in
Education and Early Years and is now studying
for a degree in Social Work at Northumbria
University. Her favourite part of the course
was the industry placement as it gave her
a real insight into her chosen career.
“The T Level has given me so much
confidence and experience and
enabled me to get exactly where I
want to be - studying social work at
university. The blend of vocational
experience and classroom learning
has given me the tools I need to be
one step ahead in higher education.”

Hannah Carney also completed the
T Level in Education and Early Years and
has moved onto Northumbria University
to study a degree in Childhood and Early
Years Studies. Her favourite part of the
course was also the placement because it
helped her gain experience of working with
children and experienced early years staff.
“The T Level has given me the chance
to move onto higher education to
pursue my career. It’s helped me
get here by building my confidence
and giving me real life experience in
nurseries.“

@gatesheadcollege
@gatesheadcoll