T Levels are technical-based qualifications in England, developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, with content that meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training, or study.
| Type | Technical education |
|---|---|
| Year started | 2020 |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Regions | England |
| Languages | English language |
| Website | www |
T Levels are two-year courses which can be studied by 16-18 year olds after finishing their studies at GCSE level.[1] T Levels are based on the same standards as apprenticeships, designed by employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.[2] They are the responsibility of the Minister of State for Skills in the Department for Education.[3]
History
editThe concept of a unified technical qualification with equal status to A-levels was first raised in a government-commissioned review by Lord Sainsbury. This major education change was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, in his budget statement in 2017.[4] The proposal was tentatively welcomed by professionals. In September 2020 there were 193 colleges planning to offer some T Levels by 2022. The first qualifications were awarded in August 2022.[5]
Speaking at the October 2023 Conservative Party Conference, Rishi Sunak announced that T Levels and A Levels would be merged to form the Advanced British Standard (ABS).[6] However, the proposed ABS was scrapped by Rachel Reeves after the 2024 United Kingdom general election on financial grounds,[7] so this will not occur.
Aim and content
editThe aim of a T Level qualification is to improve the teaching and administration of technical education which will enable students to directly enter employment on completion of a programme in further education or sixth form. These qualifications will be a mix of theoretical work learnt in the classroom in a Further Education (FE) College or in a sixth form in a secondary school and two industry practical placements with employers working in partnership with the college or sixth form.[4] The T Levels will be a Level 3 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
Students can expect to gain
- a broad knowledge; with skills and behaviours necessary for employment in an occupation or industry related to their field of study
- an opportunity to develop specialist technical skills relevant to at least one occupation
- the relevant English, Maths, Science and Digital skills.[8]
Students can expect to be taught the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Digital skills. Soft-skills are also embedded into the courses. This will be classroom based. They will learn as well the specialised skills necessary to embark in a career in their chosen field, spending 80% of the overall course in the classroom and the other 20% in a "meaningful industry placement",[9] offering training and 45 days of work experience.[1] The total programme time for the course should be over 1900 hours.[4]
Reaction
editThe Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has said that the highest T Level qualification, a starred distinction, will be worth the equivalent of three A*s at A Level when a student is being considered for a place in higher education,[10] giving them 168 UCAS points; the highest A Level result is worth 56 points.[11]
Pathways
editAs announced in 2017, it is envisaged that there will be 15 pathways:[12]
- Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
- Business and Administrative
- Catering and Hospitality
- Childcare and Education
- Construction
- Creative and Design
- Digital
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Hair and Beauty
- Health and Science
- Legal, Finance and Accounting
- Protective Services
- Sales, Marketing and Procurement
- Social Care
- Transport and Logistics
Within these pathways there are multiple specific courses.[12][13] Digital, construction, education and childcare courses were launched in September 2020, and Health and Science courses in September 2021.[8]
As of September 2021, the following T Levels are available:[14]
This section needs to be updated. (September 2024) |
- Building Services Engineering for Construction
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
- Digital Business Services
- Digital Production, Design and Development
- Digital Support Services
- Education and Childcare
- Health
- Healthcare Science
- Onsite Construction
- Science
See also
edit- Advanced British Standard, a proposed replacement
- Skills England
References
edit- ^ a b "T-levels: what are they and how will they work?". i News. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "The Institutes role in T-levels". instituteforapprenticeships.org.
- ^ "Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills - GOV.UK". gov.uk. Government Digital Service. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "'T-levels' aim to improve technical education and improve UK productivity". The Guardian. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "T Level results: academic year 2021 to 2022". GOV.UK. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Advanced British Standard: Sunak qualification will replace A-levels and T-levels". BBC News. 4 October 2023.
- ^ Reeves, R., Chancellor statement on public spending inheritance, published on 29 July 2024, accessed on 15 September 2024
- ^ a b "What are T Levels?". nhsemployers.org. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ HM Government, T Levels: the next level qualification, accessed 4 December 2020
- ^ Bryan (2 November 2023). "Study T Levels In The UK: Here's All You Need To Know". Britannia UK. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "New T-level study to be worth three A-levels". BBC News. BBC. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ a b Gathercole, Gemma (6 March 2017). "11 things you need to know about 'T-Levels'". Schools Week. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Introduction of T Levels". gov.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ GOV.UK https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects
External links
edit