T-levels

A career-focused alternative to A-levels, available at Hugh Baird College.

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A T-level is a nationally-recognised 2-year technical qualification that is worth the same number of UCAS points as 3 A-levels. Endorsed by employers, they include a 45-day industry placement over 2 years, to help you learn what a real career is like.

Equivalent to three A-levels

T-levels are an alternative to A-levels, Apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent to three A-levels, they focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, university or an apprenticeship.

45-day industry placement

Each T-level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.

80% classroom, 20% work

T-level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action.

T-levels you can study with us

Results highlights

100% pass rate

Hugh Baird College T-level students in Building Services Engineering for Construction, Digital Support Services, Supporting Healthcare and Education and Childcare all passed with flying colours.

Above the national average

96% of students achieved their T-level qualification at Hugh Baird College, significantly higher than the national average of 90.5%.

3,448

In 2023, a total of 3,448 students across England achieved their T-level qualifications.

From College to Career: T-level Students Triumph

Due to their exceptional performance in employer-designed T-level qualifications, students from Hugh Baird College are now poised to pursue their dream careers following the release of this year's results.

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What are T-levels?

T-levels are a 2-year qualification that you can do as an alternative to A-levels, other post-16 courses or an apprenticeship. They bring classroom learning and an extended industry placement together on a course designed with businesses and employers.

T-levels are ideal if you have finished your GCSEs and want the knowledge and experience to get straight into employment, an apprenticeship or university.

You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer to give you the skills and knowledge companies look for.

One T-level takes 2 years of full-time study and is equivalent to 3 A-levels.

FAQs

  • To provide a highly credible vocational alternative to A-levels.
  • To ensure that young people have learnt the skills they need to start a job after College and have a firm basis to progress in their career or higher level study.
  • Employers from a range of sectors need the competencies and attributes that will be taught on T-level courses, so students who complete this qualification will be in high demand for some of the best jobs.

T-levels will be a great choice for students who:

  • Aspire to achieve an advanced level of technical excellence in a chosen career pathway.
  • Value the opportunity to develop their technical skills within both the classroom and the workplace.
  • Are keen to experience the world of work and develop their employability skills.
  • Wish to start a career in a more advanced role, or would like to progress on to a higher level apprenticeship or a degree course at university.

If you’re not quite ready for a T-level, a T-level Foundation Year is a 1-year post-GCSE course designed to prepare you for your chosen route. It will give you relevant knowledge, practical and study skills to excel in your subject.

  • T-levels will take two years to complete and are similar to A-levels; in fact, they have an even wider scope because, as well as a high level of classroom-based learning, students will develop the practical skills needed to actually carry out a job in their chosen field.
  • Assessment will take place through a combination of exams, coursework, workplace observations, an employer project and an end-point assessment.
  • In order to pass the qualification, students must have fully completed the industry placement element of the course and gained the necessary level of work experience which will be validated by an employer.
  • When completed, the qualification will be worth the same as three A-levels and carry the equivalent UCAS points.

T-levels provide the skills and knowledge needed to progress to university level study, employment, higher technical qualifications or higher/degree apprenticeships.

You can apply for a T-level now: www.hughbaird.ac.uk/apply