Want to gain valuable work experience while continuing your education? Why not consider studying T Levels? These innovative qualifications combine classroom learning with hands-on industry placements, giving you the perfect balance of academic knowledge and practical skills.
T Levels or Technical Level Qualifications were first introduced in September 2020 as an alternative to A Levels and other 16-19 qualifications including apprenticeships. T Levels are for 16-18 year olds who are continuing education after GCSEs.
T Levels or Technical Level Qualifications were first introduced in September 2020 as an alternative to A Levels and other 16-19 qualifications including apprenticeships. T Levels are for 16-18 year olds who are continuing education after GCSEs.
Designed with input from employers, T Levels prepare you for the real world of work, opening doors to exciting career opportunities or further study. Whether you’re passionate about technology or content creation, T Levels offer a clear path to success while ensuring you’re job-ready from day one.
T Levels are two-year qualifications designed as an alternative to A Levels, offering a blend of classroom learning and hands-on industry experience. They’re perfect for students who want a career-focused education and the chance to work directly in their chosen field.
They are designed for England-based students, aged 16–19, and are equivalent to three A Levels. Launched in September 2020, they offer a forward-thinking approach to further education. These courses were developed in close collaboration with employers and are built on the same high standards as apprenticeships.
T Levels include a strong focus on industry placement. During the two-year course, students get the opportunity to work with an employer for a minimum of 45 days. This placement builds students’ confidence, enhances their ability, and offers invaluable real-world experience in a chosen field, giving them a head start in numerous careers.
Key features of T Levels:
Two Years Including 45 Day Work Placement
Digital Production, Design and Development T Level
Two Years Including 45 Day Work Placement
Digital Production, Design and Development T Level
GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C-A*), including English and maths
Two Years Including 45 Day Work Placement
Digital Production, Design and Development T Level
GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C-A*), including English and maths
Two Years Including 45 Day Work Placement
Digital Production, Design and Development T Level
Learn from experienced professionals who understand what it takes to succeed in the creative and tech industries.
Benefit from 45 days of practical work experience, building your skills and professional network.
T Levels offer an 80/20 split between classroom learning and on-the-job training, giving you the best of both worlds.
Our dedicated support team will help you find the right industry placement to fit your goals and interests.
Access Creative’s 45-day industry placements for T Level students offer an exceptional opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the working world. These placements are designed to offer real-world experience, allowing you to develop and refine your practical and technical skills.
By working alongside professionals in their chosen field, students gain insights into industry standards, workflows, and expectations, which helps build on expertise and confidence. This hands-on experience ensures that learners are equipped with the skills they’ll need to succeed in their careers, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
The T Level structure at Access Creative includes an ideal balance of 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement. This split ensures that students benefit from a thorough academic foundation while dedicating substantial time to applying their knowledge in professional environments.
The industry placement complements classroom lessons by showing learners how theories and concepts translate into practice. This balanced approach ensures students develop a comprehensive understanding of their subject while acquiring the essential workplace skills that employers value, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
To further enhance the experience, Access Creative provides a dedicated contact to assist students in finding the perfect work placement. This support ensures that every student has access to a placement tailored to their interests and career goals. The college takes the stress out of searching for an opportunity by leveraging its connections with industry partners to identify placements that match students’ skills and aspirations.
Alongside providing invaluable guidance, the college also helps students prepare for their placements, ensuring they make the most of the experience. This commitment to personalised support is a crucial element of Access Creative’s approach, helping students feel prepared, motivated, and supported every step of the way.
T Levels can be a great pathway to higher education or university, as they are designed to provide a strong academic foundation alongside practical skills. Equivalent to three A Levels, T Levels are recognised by universities and higher education institutions, making them a valid qualification for entry into many degree programs.
The combination of classroom learning and industry placement ensures students develop both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience, which can be appealing to admissions teams. Additionally, the UCAS points earned through T Levels can be used to meet university entry requirements, giving students a clear route to further their education.
The T Level grading system is designed to recognise a range of achievements. Students earn a final grade of Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*. Upon completion, they receive a nationally recognised certificate outlining their core academic and practical achievements. This certificate demonstrates their capabilities to employers and provides a clear pathway to employment, apprenticeships or higher education.
Here’s how UCAS points are awarded based on the T Level grade:
| T Level Grade | UCAS Points |
Equivalent A Level Grades |
|---|---|---|
|
Distinction* |
168 |
AAA* |
|
Distinction |
144 |
AAA |
|
Merit |
120 |
BBB |
|
Pass (C or above) |
96 |
CCC |
|
Pass (D or E) |
72 |
DDD |
Earning points through the T Level not only helps secure a place at university but also puts you on the path to success.
Don’t wait to launch your future. Apply for a T Level course today to gain valuable work experience whilst achieving your qualification.
Don’t wait to launch your future. Apply for a T Level course today to gain valuable work experience whilst achieving your qualification.
Equivalent to three A Levels, T Levels combine classroom learning with a substantial 45-day industry placement. This ensures you gain professional, hands-on experience while developing in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject.
At Access Creative, the focus on creative industries means your studies are tailored to careers in areas such as digital media, videography, content creation, and more. Employers value the practical skills T Levels uniquely provide, giving you an advantage in the job market or a solid foundation for higher education.
To enrol in a T Level at Access Creative College, you’ll need to have achieved GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and Maths. Meeting these requirements ensures you’re ready to tackle the combination of academic and practical challenges these courses offer. Our admissions team is here to guide you through the application process and ensure you find the right fit for your aspirations.
If you don’t currently meet the entry requirements, Access Creative College provides alternative pathways to help you progress. For example, our Level 2 Videography, Photography, and Design course is a fantastic stepping stone towards the T Level in Content Creation.
This introductory course will help you develop essential skills across creative disciplines, build your confidence, and prepare you for higher-level study. Our team is committed to helping you achieve your goals, even if you’re starting from a different point.
A T Level work placement requires a minimum of 315 hours, which is 20% of the overall T Level qualification. Up to 50% may be completed remotely.
While not guaranteed, some employers may offer paid placements, and the placement officer will identify this when the placement is first advertised on the student portal. Travel expenses can be covered by the college.
Your Placement Officer will support you with finding placements, eg sourcing the placement, organising the student selection process, arranging review meetings, and guiding you through the relevant paperwork. Tutors and other staff will help with work readiness, CVs cover letters and interview skills.
Yes, providers will work with employers to ensure that students have access to appropriate supervision and support during their placement.
The work placement is designed to develop practical skills and knowledge relevant to the digital sector, such as designing, implementing, and testing software, and creating solutions in a collaborative environment.
Each placement is different, and your IPO will attempt to match you with the right employer/placement role. Learning Objectives will be identified at the start of the placement and monitored throughout.
You are expected to demonstrate commitment to your placement, and you will sign an agreement (along with the employer and the college) to identify what is expected of all parties, including a clear understanding of the progress you must make towards your learning objectives during the placement.
The Placement Officer will endeavour to ensure that every student is offered a placement. There are now steps in place to offer these options, which help to ensure you reach your 315 hours.
Students can discuss their concerns with their provider and employer, and they may be able to find an alternative placement if necessary.
T Levels at Access Creative College use a mix of assessments to evaluate your progress and mastery of the subject. These include both written exams and hands-on projects, tailored to the specific T Level you’re studying.
For instance, if you’re taking the Software Development T Level, your assessments could include coding projects alongside written exams to showcase your technical expertise. Meanwhile, the Content Creation T Level focuses on creative projects, presentations, and portfolio work to reflect the skills demanded by this dynamic industry.
Throughout your studies, you’ll be supported by experienced tutors and industry professionals to help you excel in both your academic and practical assessments.
A T Level within the Digital Production, Design, and Development course standard can lead to various career paths in the IT and Media industries, such as a web developer, web designer, software developer, media producer, digital marketer, content creator, photographer and many more.
The placement provides valuable real-world experience, enhances your employability/transferable skills like time-keeping, communication, and hones your technical skills in your preferred field. This can significantly enhance your employability and career prospects, and sometimes leads to an apprenticeship with that company or paid employment.
At Access Creative College, you’re not just studying a T Level; you’re setting yourself up for success in the creative industries. With our specialised facilities, expert tutors, and strong links to leading employers, you’ll gain top-tier training and exposure to real-world opportunities.
Our dedicated team helps you secure your 45-day industry placement, ensuring it aligns with your career ambitions. Also, you’ll benefit from personalised support every step of the way, whether applying, studying, or preparing for your next big opportunity. Access Creative College combines creativity, innovation, and industry expertise to give you an unforgettable and career-focused education.
