T Level Guide for Students
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
WHAT<br />
ARE<br />
T LEVELS?<br />
A guide <strong>for</strong> students
There are lots of options<br />
available after GCSEs including<br />
A <strong>Level</strong>s, vocational courses<br />
and apprenticeships. Deciding<br />
what to study can be daunting,<br />
especially when there are new<br />
qualifications like T <strong>Level</strong>s to<br />
consider. Take a look at this<br />
simple guide which explains<br />
everything you need to know<br />
about T <strong>Level</strong>s.<br />
What are T <strong>Level</strong>s?<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>s are practical career focused<br />
qualifications <strong>for</strong> 16 to 19 year olds<br />
which are studied over 2 years.<br />
They’re equivalent to three A <strong>Level</strong>s<br />
and combine classroom study with<br />
a 45 day industry placement to<br />
prepare you <strong>for</strong> the world of work,<br />
or further study like a higher-level<br />
apprenticeship or university.<br />
They offer an ideal first step into<br />
your future career and as they’ve<br />
been designed by employers you<br />
can be confident that you’re being<br />
taught the skills and knowledge<br />
relevant <strong>for</strong> your chosen industry.<br />
A T <strong>Level</strong> is made up of:<br />
● A technical qualification - You will<br />
spend 80% of your time at college<br />
studying <strong>for</strong> this qualification<br />
●<br />
An industry placement - 20% of a<br />
T <strong>Level</strong> is an industry placement<br />
with an employer, which will<br />
last a minimum of 315 hours<br />
(approximately 45 days)
What T <strong>Level</strong> subjects are there?<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>s cover a wide range of sectors<br />
and interests. We offer T <strong>Level</strong>s in the<br />
following areas:<br />
● Business<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Construction<br />
Digital Technologies<br />
Early Years<br />
Engineering<br />
Health and Social Care<br />
What’s the difference between T <strong>Level</strong>s<br />
and A <strong>Level</strong>s?<br />
The main difference between<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>s and A <strong>Level</strong>s is that T <strong>Level</strong>s<br />
focus on one subject while A <strong>Level</strong>s<br />
are multiple subjects. T <strong>Level</strong>s are<br />
more practical/vocational, whereas<br />
A <strong>Level</strong>s are more theoretical.<br />
What’s the different between T <strong>Level</strong>s<br />
and a vocational course?<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>s are the technical equivalent<br />
to three A <strong>Level</strong>s. They cover:<br />
● core theory<br />
●<br />
concepts and specialist skills<br />
● knowledge <strong>for</strong> a specific<br />
career or occupation.<br />
The main difference between the<br />
T <strong>Level</strong> and a <strong>Level</strong> 3 course is the<br />
compulsory industry placement.<br />
What grade will I get <strong>for</strong> studying a<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>?<br />
You will receive an overall grade of<br />
pass, merit, distinction or distinction*.<br />
Will I be able to go to University after<br />
I’ve studied a T <strong>Level</strong>?<br />
Yes, T <strong>Level</strong>s have been designed to<br />
provide students with the knowledge,<br />
skills and experience needed to<br />
progress onto a range of options<br />
including work, higher education<br />
or apprenticeships. If you achieve<br />
Distinction* in your T <strong>Level</strong> this is<br />
the same as 3 x A* at A <strong>Level</strong>.<br />
Here’s a guide to the T <strong>Level</strong><br />
grades compared to the A <strong>Level</strong><br />
equivalent and UCAS Tariff points:<br />
T <strong>Level</strong> Grade<br />
A <strong>Level</strong><br />
Equivalent<br />
UCAS<br />
Tariff<br />
points<br />
Distinction* A* A* A* 168<br />
Distinction A A A 144<br />
Merit B B B 120<br />
Pass<br />
(C or above<br />
on the core)<br />
Pass<br />
(D or E on<br />
the core)<br />
C C C 96<br />
D D D 72<br />
If you don’t want to continue your<br />
studies after T <strong>Level</strong>, going straight<br />
into employment is an option and<br />
thanks to the industry placement,<br />
you will have a head start on the<br />
skills you’ll need in the workplace.
What are the entry requirements <strong>for</strong><br />
a T <strong>Level</strong>?<br />
To be able to study a T <strong>Level</strong><br />
with us, you will need to achieve<br />
5 GCSEs at grades 5 – 9<br />
including English and maths.<br />
Will I need to find my own industry<br />
placement?<br />
No, you don’t. We’ve got a dedicated<br />
team who work with employers<br />
from across the region to secure<br />
placements <strong>for</strong> our T <strong>Level</strong> students.<br />
Will I get paid when I am on my industry<br />
placement?<br />
No, you won’t be paid when<br />
you’re on placement.<br />
What are the benefits of studying<br />
a T <strong>Level</strong>?<br />
Studying a T <strong>Level</strong> helps you<br />
● find out more about the career<br />
opportunities open to you<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
build essential skills, such as<br />
teamwork and communication<br />
put your skills and knowledge into<br />
practice in the real world of work<br />
build contacts with employers.<br />
As well as helping you to make more<br />
in<strong>for</strong>med choices about your career<br />
pathway, you’ll get experience<br />
that employers are looking <strong>for</strong>.<br />
T <strong>Level</strong>s are a good option even if<br />
you only have a rough idea of the<br />
career or field you’re interested in.<br />
The study and industry placement<br />
aren’t linked to a specific role or<br />
job. Instead you’ll be given broad<br />
exposure to an industry and the<br />
many different roles it offers.<br />
“We think it’s great that T <strong>Level</strong>s are courses designed<br />
with employers. We actively get involved with Gateshead<br />
College to feedback what skills should be covered to make<br />
sure that they give students the skills employers like us are<br />
are looking <strong>for</strong>. The placements give students a chance to<br />
see what the working environment is like and apply their<br />
learning in a real-world setting. Placements also allow<br />
them to get a better understanding of the industry they’re<br />
interested in and even open them up to new possibilities they<br />
were not previously aware of.”<br />
James Hanson, Managing Director, Layers Studio.
Chloe Perrin completed the T <strong>Level</strong> in<br />
Education and Early Years and is now studying<br />
<strong>for</strong> a degree in Social Work at Northumbria<br />
University. Her favourite part of the course<br />
was the industry placement as it gave her<br />
a real insight into her chosen career.<br />
“The T <strong>Level</strong> has given me so much<br />
confidence and experience and<br />
enabled me to get exactly where I<br />
want to be - studying social work at<br />
university. The blend of vocational<br />
experience and classroom learning<br />
has given me the tools I need to be<br />
one step ahead in higher education.”
Hannah Carney also completed the<br />
T <strong>Level</strong> in Education and Early Years and<br />
has moved onto Northumbria University<br />
to study a degree in Childhood and Early<br />
Years Studies. Her favourite part of the<br />
course was also the placement because it<br />
helped her gain experience of working with<br />
children and experienced early years staff.<br />
“The T <strong>Level</strong> has given me the chance<br />
to move onto higher education to<br />
pursue my career. It’s helped me<br />
get here by building my confidence<br />
and giving me real life experience in<br />
nurseries.“
@gatesheadcollege<br />
@gatesheadcoll