In September 2022 UTC became one of the first providers in the country to offer a T Level in Engineering and Manufacture. To be in the best position to support T Level students, we are currently building a new £1.1 million engineering annex to accompany our existing high specification engineering hall. This space will act as a specialist environment for T Level students to develop the skills and experience needed by employers in today’s workplace.
More information about T Levels along with details of our Engineering and Manufacture course is listed below.
What is a T-Level?
T Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.
T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).
What GCSE grades do I need to study a T Level?
You will need to have achieved at least a grade 5 in Maths as well as another 4 grade 4’s or above including English.
What can I study a T-Level in at UTC?
We currently offer a T Level in Engineering and Manufacture. In the first year, all students will study the same core content in preparation for an end of year exam. Examples of the content covered in this first year include; engineering processes, health and safety, maths, quality control and business.
In the second year, students will get the option to specialise and select one of the following pathways.
- Manufacturing, Processing and Control
- Design and Development
Must I have studied engineering at GCSE to take a T Level at UTC?
No, students do not have to have studied engineering at GCSE to enrol onto our T Level pathway. In the first year, students will cover the same content which will allow any students who have no previous experience of engineering, to develop a basic understanding before choosing a specialism in the second year.
Can I take other qualifications too?
Other Level 3 qualifications cannot be taken alongside T-Levels because they are the equivalent to three A-levels.
Will I always be studying at UTC?
No, as part of your qualification you will be expected to take part in a 45 day work placement off site with an employer.
Will I always have the same teacher?
No, as the content covered our T Level is varied, you will be taught by our subject specialists. For example, the maths content will be covered by our maths teachers whilst our quality control content will be covered by an engineering teacher.
Can I go to university after studying a T-Level?
Yes, T-Levels will award students with UCAS points, shown below.
• 168 UCAS points for a Distinction*
• 144 UCAS points for a Distinction
• 120 UCAS points for a Merit
• 96 UCAS points for a Pass (C)
• 72 UCAS points for a Pass (D or E)
In the same process that A-Levels students grades are translated into UCAS points, so are T-Level grades. Using these points, students will be able to enrol onto an undergraduate degree. Simply, check how many points is needed for your preferred university course by checking their website or prospectus.
Will I get independent study time?
Yes, like all of our post 16 qualification you will be allocated free periods on your timetable. During this time you will have access to our Sixth Form study area and common room as well as other learning areas that are not being used for teaching.
Will I need to complete work outside of lesson time?
You will be given work to complete outside of lesson time to further enhance your understanding of the content covered throughout the T Level. As exams is a method in which you will be assessed, you will also be expected to revise for exams outside of lesson time.
Where can a T-Level take me?
As mentioned above, studying a T-Level can lead onto an undergraduate degree at University. In addition, with the practical skills and experience that a T-Level offers, students will also be able to go straight into the world of work through an apprenticeship. We anticipate, many of our T-Level students will go into higher level and degree level apprenticeships after studying with us, just like many of our A-Level student’s do now.
What’s the difference between T-Levels and A-Levels?
T-levels are more practical than A-levels and have a lot of direct contact with employers. Whilst A-levels are mainly only academically focused, T-Levels give young people the opportunity to spend time in a job role to help them decide on a future career as well as give them the skills needed to be successful in it.
Our specalist engineering annex being built
