T Levels

Get ready to take the next step on your educational journey after your GCSEs, and the challenge of a new and exciting type of qualification.

Ask about T levels at our upcoming open events

Come to an open event and find out all about our T Levels and how they compare to A Levels and BTECs.

Register now!

What are T Levels?

Technical Levels (T Levels) are a new qualification that will be equal to three A Levels.

T-levels are the new technical vocational qualifications introduced by the government to meet the demands of various industries that require a highly skilled and practical workforce. They are designed to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enter employment within industries such as Engineering, IT, Business, Health and more.

Available to school leavers after they have completed their GCSEs, T Levels offer an alternative to A Levels or an apprenticeship.

The difference between a T Level and an A level is that with a T Level, 80% of the course is in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where you’ll put these skills into practice.

T Levels have been designed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so that you will learn everything you need to prepare for the workplace. They offer you more practical work experience and industry placement hours as part of your education than any other qualification currently available, except for apprenticeships.

In fact, as part of your T Level education, you will do more than 315 hours of industry placements over the course of your two-year programme.

And because they are the equivalent of three A Levels, T Levels also give you the option to move onto university or a higher apprenticeship once you’ve completed the programme.

The entry requirements for T Levels differ from course to course, but as they are equivalent to A Levels, bear in mind that good GCSE results are necessary. 

What is the difference between T Levels and BTECS?

T-levels are advanced level 3 courses and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. They offer you a much longer period of industry placement (315 hours) and are aimed at students who are very clear on the career path they wish to pursue. The course is a combination of in-class study and work placement.

To undertake a T-Level you will need confidence to work alongside managers and supervisors who will teach you a specific trade and skills, give you real job responsibilities and you will be accountable for your work.

BTEC’s are also advanced level 3 courses and are equivalent to 3 A-Levels however, they have a shorter work experience period (2 weeks) and are mainly focused on developing key skills during practical sessions in college.

Both T-Levels and BTECs are the same level and are equal in terms of what you will learn. They are both equally valuable to employers and universities. The main difference is the industry placement and work experience you will gain as part of the practical side of the course.

For both T-Levels and BTECs, you will need to be dedicated, highly focused and have a good sense of which career you would like to follow. Depending on your study style, you can choose whichever programme you feel would suit you more. If you don't yet have the grades for T Levels, take a look at our T Level Foundation Year.

How are T Levels graded?

Once you complete your T Level, there are several options that are available to you. These include moving into full-time employment, an apprenticeship or higher education.

To help T Level students get into higher education, UCAS tariff points have been allocated to T Levels, which means they will be equivalent to three A Levels.

UCAS points will only be allocated to the overall T Level grade, so you must achieve at least an overall pass grade to receive UCAS points.

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 of E on the core DDD

 

Find out more about how T Levels are graded on the government website.

 

 

What T Levels are available and when do they start?

T Levels were launched at Activate Learning in September 2021. From September 2025, we will be offering the following exciting new courses: 

Our new Animal Care and Management T Level will cover a broad range of topics and prepare you for a diverse range of career paths. You’ll choose from two specialisms: Animal Management and Behaviour, or Animal Management and Science.

Over two years, Animal Management and Behaviour students will undertake classroom-based learning, developing an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to employability, such as sustainability, ethical principles, communication, business and health and safety.  You’ll also complete core animal care topics, including some practical work with the range of species in our Animal Management Centre. Topics include: Health and safety, anatomy and physiology, behaviour, welfare.

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Our new Animal Care and Management T Level will cover a broad range of topics and prepare you for a diverse range of career paths. You’ll choose from two specialisms: Animal Management and Behaviour, or Animal Management and Science.

Over two years,  Animal Management and Science students will undertake classroom-based learning, developing an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to employability, such as sustainability, ethical principles, communication, business and health and safety.  Alongside this, you’ll also complete core animal care topics, which include some practical work with the range of species in our Animal Management Centre. Topics include: Health and safety, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, biological cells and tissues.

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Our new Agriculture, Land Management and Production T level is suitable for anyone wanting a career in this sector, and you’ll benefit from the specialism of Livestock Production. It offers a unique chance to gain real-world experience through industry placements, providing essential skills and knowledge for careers in agriculture with a focus on livestock production, or for pursuing higher education.

Over two years, you will undertake classroom-based learning, developing an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to employability, such as sustainability, ethical principles, communication, business, climate change and health and safety.  Alongside this, you’ll also complete core livestock production and agriculture topics, which will include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, medicine, technology, and equipment.  You will be taught all the practical skills needed for sheep flock management, including husbandry tasks, vaccinations, lambing, lambing stock tasks, shearing, etc.

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Our new Agriculture, Land Management and Production T Level will cover a broad range of topics and prepare you for a diverse range of career paths. You’ll specialise in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping or Tree and Woodland Management and Maintenance.  

The T Level in Horticulture and Landscaping offers a unique chance to gain real-world experience through industry placements, providing essential skills, knowledge and behaviours for careers in the garden construction and maintenance industries or for pursuing higher education.

Over two years, you will undertake classroom-based learning on a broad range of issues relevant to employability such as sustainability, ethical principles, communication, business and health and safety.  You’ll also study core Horticulture and Landscaping topics including plant identification, biosecurity and plant growth and development. Practical elements of the course include plant propagation and pruning as well as hard landscaping techniques such as building walls and laying paving.

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Within our Agriculture, Land Management and Production T Level you’ll cover a broad range of topics that prepare you for a diverse range of career paths, with a specialism in Tree and Woodland Management and Maintenance.  

The T Level in Arboriculture offers a unique chance to gain real-world experience through industry placements, providing essential skills, knowledge and behaviours for careers in the Arboriculture industry or for pursuing higher education.

Over two years, you will undertake classroom-based learning, developing an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to employability such as sustainability, ethical principles, communication, business and health and safety.  You’ll also study core Arboriculture topics including tree identification, biosecurity, tree surveys and plant growth and development. Practical elements of the course include chainsaw operation, tree felling, and aerial operations (tree climbing and pruning).

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What is a T Level Foundation Year?

If you think you might like to do a T Level, but need more time to get ready, a T Level Foundation Year will help you develop your skills and prepare you for the next level.

It’s a one-year post-GCSE course designed to give you the relevant knowledge, plus both practical and study skills, as well as work experience.

You can expect to:

  • learn technical knowledge and practical skills relevant to your chosen T Level.
  • gain relevant industry work experience.
  • develop industry-relevant English and maths skills, as well as digital skills.
  • continue working towards achieving a GSCE grade 4 in English and/or maths if you do not already have this.
  • receive focused individual support and growth in personal development.

What’s different about a T Level Foundation Year?

The programme is specifically designed to give you the best chance of progressing onto and successfully completing your chosen T Level. Developed with leading employers, schools and colleges who have provided their unique understanding of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that industry employers look for in future employees.

The programme will provide you with a clear understanding of what a T-level course involves and guarantee you an interview for your chosen T-level at the end of the year.

Find out more

Whether you are a prospective student, parent or employer partner, there are additional resources available to find out more about T Levels.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a T Levels student, you can:

  • read more about T Levels on the government website
  • watch Department for Education’s T Level videos
  • register for an upcoming Open Event where you can speak to our teaching staff about T Levels

If your child is currently in Year 10, and thinking about post-GCSE options, you can find out more information to help make the right decision for your child’s future:

  • watch Department for Education’s T Level videos
  • visit the National Careers Service website for information and guidance on all post-16 options for your child
  • speak to the careers advisor at your child’s school
  • register for an upcoming Open Event where you can speak to our teaching staff about T Levels

Discover how our T Levels programmes can benefit your business by visiting our dedicated T Levels page for employers.