What are T Levels - and how will they help my teen go to university or get a job?
- Feb 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
This is just a snippet from The Parents' Guide to T Levels. If you’d like the full version, with clear, up-to-date advice, practical tips and actions you can take at home, click below.
Read the full guide: The Parents' Guide to T Levels
T Levels are a sixth form qualification introduced in 2020, so we’re digging deep to find out what they’re all about and which students they might suit. They offer a lot of flexibility, whether your teen plans to stop studying after sixth form and get a job, or head to university to take a degree. Read on to see whether T Levels could be the best choice for your teen.
What are T Levels?
T Levels, or Technical Level Qualifications, are a government-backed qualification introduced in September 2020, equivalent to 3 A levels. These two-year courses have been developed with businesses so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for working life.
T Levels involve a mix of classroom learning (about 80% of course time) and practical experience (about 20%). They also include a 45-day work placement in a real business. Afterwards, students may go on to university, alternative higher education, a job, an apprenticeship, or an opportunity with the company where they were placed.
T Levels differ from apprenticeships because the balance of study and working time is reversed. Unlike BTECs, T Level courses were developed with businesses and include work experience as part of the course.
T Levels are a level 3 qualification and provide an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships, the IB, BTECs and other courses aimed at 16 to 19 year olds.
Can T Levels help my teen get to university?
Yes. There are lots of ways students can reach degree-level education. The academic route (usually A levels) is the one most parents think of. If your teen doesn't enjoy classroom learning or isn't good at sitting exams, they could choose the work route (apprenticeships) or a vocational route, which includes T Levels, instead.
Can T Levels help my teen get a job?
Yes. Not everyone wants to continue to higher education. T Level students can go straight to the workplace after their course, often with the advantage of plenty of work experience when looking for a job.
There's plenty of choice when deciding what to study, and many courses open doors to lots of different careers. As of September 2026, your teen can take:
Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Animal Care and Management
Business and Administration
Business Management and Administration
Construction
Building Services Engineering for Construction
Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Creative and Design
Craft and Design
Media, Broadcast and Production
Digital
Digital Data Analytics
Digital Software Development
Digital Support and Security
Education and Early Years
Education and Early Years
Engineering and Manufacturing
Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Health and Science
Health
Science
Healthcare Science (last enrolment September 2025)
Legal, Finance, Accounting, Sales and Marketing
Accounting
Finance
Legal Services
Sales, Marketing and Procurement
Marketing
Your teen can find out which T Level courses are available in schools and colleges near you by entering their postcode on the government search tool.
Career opportunities with T Levels
The wide range of subject choices shows how varied the career paths can be. Depending on whether your teen wants to go straight into the workplace or on to further education, they can enter the world of work at any number of levels, just as they can with A levels or BTECs.
Many surprising career paths can be unlocked with a T Level, and studying in a business-driven environment may open their eyes to possibilities they wouldn't have seen in more traditional settings.
What's involved in taking a T Level?
T Level courses consist of the following:
an approved technical qualification specific to the chosen industry area, with compulsory elements and, in some cases, optional specialisms
an industry placement of approximately 45 days, which might be offered as day release or as a concentrated block
a minimum standard in English and maths, if not already achieved
Students receive a nationally recognised grade and a breakdown of their achievements, including how they did on their work placement. If they don't pass all elements, they'll receive a T Level statement of achievement outlining what has been completed.
How will my child be graded?
Your child needs to pass all the elements of their T Level to receive a nationally recognised certificate showing their overall grade and a breakdown of what they achieved.
The T Level certificate will display:
an overall grade for the T Level (pass, merit, distinction, distinction*)
a grade for each occupational specialism (pass, merit or distinction)
a grade for the core component (A*–E)
grades showing the minimum requirements for maths and English have been met (level 2 minimum)
confirmation that the industry placement has been completed to a minimum standard
If your teen does not pass all elements of their T Level, a T Level statement of achievement outlining the elements completed will be provided instead.
Can my child apply to university after a T Level?
Yes. T Levels are designed to give students the knowledge, skills and experience to progress on to work, higher education or apprenticeships. UCAS tariff points have been allocated to T Levels for those wanting to go to university. Even if your teen doesn't pass every aspect, they may still gain enough UCAS points to go, if that's what they want.
UCAS tariff points for T Levels:
168 points – Distinction* (equivalent to A*A*A* at A level)
144 points – Distinction (equivalent to AAA at A level)
120 points – Merit (equivalent to BBB at A level)
96 points – Pass, C or above on the core (equivalent to CCC at A level)
72 points – Pass, D or E on the core (equivalent to DDD at A level)
How could taking a T Level help my teen?
T Levels broaden the study choices for 16 year olds and offer a clear path to employment. Should your teen start a course and realise the industry or specialism isn't for them, there are still plenty of options to continue in higher education or find work in a different industry once the T Level is complete. They're ideal for students who enjoy learning through practical, real-life situations.
Qualifications needed to take T Levels
Individual courses should be checked, but generally students need 5 GCSEs (graded 9–4), including English and maths.
Teens who don't yet have the skills to go straight to a T Level can take the T Level Foundation Year, a one-year course after GCSE to prepare them for the subject they'd like to study. This course is likely to be revised and renamed during the 2027/2028 academic year, but the objectives will remain similar.
Where can my teen study T Levels?
T Levels are currently only available in England. They're mostly offered by colleges because of the technical nature of the studies and the extra equipment needed. It's worth remembering that while colleges specialise in education tailored to sixth formers, students do need to be comfortable with independent study to benefit, unlike schools, where guided learning is more usual even in sixth form.
Find which T Levels are available near you by entering your postcode.
Summary
T Levels are an exciting option for sixth form education, giving a recognised qualification tailored to industry needs and skills. They're a great choice for students who want to learn practical skills relevant to certain jobs, whether they go on to a degree, take alternative further education, or go straight into work after sixth form.
For more information, check out the following:
Wondering if T Levels or V Levels are right for your teen?
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