T Levels (Technical qualifications)

 

What are T Levels?

T Levels are courses for 16- to 18-year-olds that are studied at the same level as doing A Levels. They are for young people who prefer a more technical education when they come to College, rather than following a purely academic pathway, or a work-based apprenticeship.

T Levels provide a mixture of:

• Technical knowledge and practical skills specific to the student’s chosen industry or occupation.
• An industry placement of at least 45 days in their chosen industry or occupation. Watch this short Government video to hear why students find completing industry placements so beneficial.
• Relevant Maths, English and digital skills.
• Common workplace skills.

Students who achieve a T Level will get a nationally recognised certificate which employers will use as evidence in their recruitment.

T Levels will offer students an option to spend 80% of their time in the classroom and 20% on placement with an employer to give them the skills and knowledge companies look for.

When were they introduced?

In 2020, Barnsley College became the first College in South Yorkshire to offer the pioneering T Level qualifications! We had an another excellent set of T Level results in 2023, with a 98% overall pass rate – see how well our students did.

 

We are proud to be a T Level leader and our T Level Transition Programme has been featured as a case study in a Department for Education video resource to help other providers who are launching the qualifications.

What can I do with a T Level qualification?

When you have completed a T Level course, you will be able to choose between moving into:

• A skilled occupation.
• Higher or degree level apprenticeships.
• Further study including Higher Technical Qualifications or Higher Education.

What courses are available?

Business (Management and Administration)

• Legal Services
• Management and Administration

Construction

• Bricklaying
• Carpentry and Joinery
• Design, Surveying and Planning
• Plastering
• Plumbing

Digital

• Digital Production, Design and Development
• Digital Support Services 

Education and Childcare

• Education and Early Years

Engineering and Manufacturing

• Design and Development (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
• Electrotechnical Engineering

Finance and Accounting

• Accounting

Motor Vehicle (Maintenance, Installation and Repair)

• Light and Electric Vehicles Maintenance, Installation and Repair

As our T Level provision continues to grow, additional courses will be rolled out in stages. From September 2024, we hope to offer courses in the following subjects:

• Animal Care and Management
• Media Broadcast Journalism and Content Production
• Virtual Production and VFX for Filmmaking
• Textile and Fashion Maker pathway

As soon as more information becomes available we will update this page.

What do our students and their parents say?

See what student James Lack and his mother Becky think of Digital T Levels and take a look at the below video produced by Kindred for the Gatsby Creditable Foundation.

Find out how an industry placement can help you.

If you are a student who wants to find out how an industry placement can help, visit our How will an industry placement can help you page.

I’m an employer and I want to offer industry placements, is this possible?

Absolutely! Businesses who provide industry placements will be fully supported by their personal Barnsley College Industry Placement Co-ordinator throughout the process, from sign up to completion and beyond. Visit the Industry Placements departmental page to find out more information. The industry placement team can be contacted by calling 01226 216 216 or emailing workplacements@barnsley.ac.uk

What do our employers say?

“Our Industry Placement student has taken everything in his stride. As time has gone on, he has more responsibility, and he really enjoys the social media marketing campaigns he runs.” Gritstone Financial Planning Ltd.

“Industry Placements have introduced us to such a great way of giving opportunities to local young people, helping them to build real world experience whilst bringing talent into the organisation.” Whitshaw Builders

“Helping with day-to-day tasks, coming on set-ups, preparing for events… having an Industry Placement student has freed up our staff to do other jobs.” Glamourpuss Weddings

What else do I need to know?

The short video below introduces T Levels and might help you as you decide what and how you’d like to study next.

Please note, this video was filmed before the ministerial changes in November 2022. The video was correct at the time of production.