T-Levels

Why study a T-Level course?

T-Levels are full-time post-GCSE qualifications that provide you with a perfect balance of classroom learning and real-world experience. The qualification is equal to 3 A-Levels and highly valued by potential employers.

T-Levels are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills that the businesses of today need. The qualification has been designed with 250 leading employers, honing the curriculum to give you a headstart into the world of work. 80% of the course is classroom-based, providing in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject. 20% is made up of an industry placement with an employer, giving you priceless hands-on experience.

This powerful combination allows you to gain both theory and practice.

What T-Level courses are on offer?

Digital Software Development

This T Level Programme – Digital Software Development is a full-time, two-year post-GCSE qualification equivalent to three A Levels, designed to give you both technical knowledge and practical experience for careers in the digital and software industries. Most of your time (about 80 %) is spent in the classroom building essential digital skills—such as problem solving, programming, understanding data and digital systems, security, legal and business context, and designing and developing digital solutions—alongside improving literacy, numeracy, communication, and project skills, while the remaining 20 % involves a meaningful industry placement of at least 45 days. Entry typically requires four GCSEs at grades 4–9 including Maths, and on completion you can progress to university, apprenticeships or roles such as software developer, web designer, IT business analyst, hardware/network technician or games developer.

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Health

The T Level Technical Qualification in Health is a two-year, full-time, employer-designed programme for post-16 students that combines classroom learning with practical experience to prepare you for work or further study in the health sector. You’ll spend around 80 % of your time learning core health and science concepts, professional competencies and healthcare practices, and about 20 % on a substantial industry placement of at least 45 days gaining real-world experience. The qualification is equivalent to three A Levels, carries UCAS points, and typically requires at least five GCSEs at grades 9–4 including English, Maths and Science; successful completion can lead to skilled employment (e.g., support worker roles), apprenticeships or higher education in health-related fields.

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Science

This Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Science is a full-time, two-year post-GCSE programme (equivalent to three A Levels) designed with employers to give students both in-depth scientific knowledge and practical skills for careers or further study in the science sector. You’ll spend most of your time in classroom learning core science topics—such as biological molecules, microbiology, chemical reactions, electricity, and lab safety—followed by specialised laboratory science studies in your second year, and complete an industry placement of at least 45 days to gain real-world experience. On successful completion, the qualification carries UCAS points and supports progression into skilled employment (e.g., laboratory roles), higher level apprenticeships or related degrees, with entry typically requiring at least five GCSEs at grades 9–4 including Maths, Science and English.

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One course opens many doors

At West Thames College, we offer T-Levels in Digital Software Development and Health. You pick one to focus on but the course covers a huge variety of subjects, opening up numerous options and potential career paths.

More than a qualification

When you pass your T-Level, you’ll leave with technical qualifications including core theory in your chosen industry, specialist knowledge and skills for an occupation, a grade 4 in English and maths and valuable industry experience with a relevant employer.

From here you go anywhere

T Levels open up your options. The qualification provides the same UCAS points as 3 A levels. You can choose to go on to higher education, including university or higher apprenticeship, or continue straight into the workplace. Your options, your call.

Take it to the next level.

Frequently asked questions

What subjects are on offer?

At West Thames College, we offer T-Levels in Digital Production, Design & Development, and Health.

How do T-Levels compare to A-Levels?

T-level courses are backed by businesses. They’ve been designed with employers to develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills young people need. One T-level is equivalent to three A-levels, so has the same UCAS points value (the system that calculates university offers). 80% of the course is delivered in a classroom setting. In addition to this, each course has a 45-day industry placement with an employer that makes up the remaining 20% of young people’s learning.

How many T-levels should my child study?

Young people study one T-level over the two years, but each course has a varied curriculum of core content as well as options to specialise, so they can get the experience that’s right for them.

Will taking a T-Level limit a young person's choices for what they do next?

No, T-levels keep their options open and help young people progress into skilled employment – either directly into work on an apprenticeship, or via further study like higher technical qualifications or a university degree.

What if a young person isn't ready for a T-Level?

The T-level Transition Programme is a one-year course for after GCSEs that helps students get ready for their chosen T-level subject.

How do T-Levels differ from vocational study?

T-levels are different from other vocational courses, like BTECs, because they’ve been developed with employers, using occupational standards as their reference. T-levels give young people the detailed skills and knowledge they need through learning in the classroom, and the space to apply what they’ve learned to the real working world through the 45-day industry placement. Unlike other vocational subjects, the T-levels subjects have been developed to address skill gaps in the current jobs market.

Is a T-Level the same as an apprenticeship?

T-levels and apprenticeships are both based upon the same standards which are designed by employers. An apprenticeship includes some part-time study but apprentices spend most of their time in the workplace training in a paid job. A T-level is mostly school or college based, with the industry placement allowing students to put their skills and knowledge into practice in the real working world.

Are young people guaranteed to get a job after completing their T-Levels?

T-levels are designed to prepare young people for the world of work but their next step options remain open at the end of the course. Students aren’t guaranteed a job but they will be well prepared for the world of work or further study.