T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - Level 3
Overview
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We are currently waiting on the outcome of the government's ‘pause and review’ of the Level 3 qualification reform. This may result in a change to qualifications offered at Level 3 for academic year 2025/2026. If this course is affected, the college will make changes to our offer to enable similar outcomes for progression to higher education, higher-level apprenticeships or skilled employment.
For more details, please contact our enquiries line on 0808 100 3626.
If you enjoy designing buildings and wonder what goes on behind the scenes before they can be built, then this T Level may be exactly what you need to find out what it takes to design, survey and plan for construction.
This T Level combines study with the opportunity to practice in our state-of-the-art facilities, alongside working with an employer for at least 45 days which means you’ll have a head start when it comes to starting a successful career in the trade. In addition, you will learn essential knowledge and skills needed to progress on to a higher level apprenticeship or university.
This course can lead to the following career opportunities:
- Civil engineering technician
- Architectural design
- Technical surveyor
- Building technician
- Building control officer
- Town planning assistant
- Geospatial technician.
When you start the course, we will assign you a progress tutor who will support you throughout your time at college. Their role is to help you in setting academic and personal targets, creating a career plan, developing employability skills and monitoring your progress to make sure you realise your full potential.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are two-year qualifications that have been designed in partnership with businesses and industry-leading employers so you can develop the skills and knowledge required to kick-start your career straight from college.
- 80/20 Learning - 80% college-based, 20% on a relevant work placement
- Employer endorsed - designed with employers to provide the skills that industry needs
- 1 T Level = 3 A Levels - T Levels are nationally-recognised qualifications, equivalent to 3 A Levels.
As an alternative next-step after GCSEs, a T Level also includes a mandatory 45-day (315 hours) work placement with a reputable employer within your chosen industry.
The qualification splits into core content and specialist content:
- Core content - develop your general understanding of the industry
- Specialist content - covers different topics depending on the pathway you choose.
You can find out more about T Levels by watching the video below or visiting our T Level information page which includes details about the other courses available and FAQs.
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FREE Travel Pass
To enable you to attend your work placement, we’re pleased to offer all T Level students a West Notts Travel Pass for free! It's one pass for unlimited bus travel across much of Nottinghamshire and parts of Derbyshire. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out more
Start dates and fees
Please be aware mandatory kit and uniform is required - if you'd like more information you can call our enquiries team on 0808 100 3626.
| Start Date | Code | Annual Fee | Actions |
| Sep 2025 | 2941C1670 | FREE | Apply |
What will I study?
Across the two years, you will cover both core and specialist units. The core units will develop your general understanding of the industry. The specialist units will cover more in-depth topics suitable to your chosen specialism (pathway) and career.
On this T Level, you can choose between four pathways:
- Surveying and design for construction and the built environment
- Building services design
- Civil engineering
- Hazardous materials analysis and surveying.
Core units:
- Health and safety
- Methods of construction
- Accurate measuring techniques
- Sustainability and environmental impacts
- Science behind construction
- Building regulation standards
- Data management and information
- Digital technologies - Internet of Things (IoT)
- Mathematical techniques
- Environmental impacts.
Specialist units:
- Project management
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Procurement
- Risk management.
Industry placement:
Across the two years, you will need to complete an exciting 45-day (315 hours) industry placement with a reputable employer. Throughout the summer before your first year and your first term, a dedicated work placement advisor is available to support you with building links with suitable employers so you can secure your placement.
This is a great opportunity that will not only give you experience in an external business, but enhance your technical skills and create relationships that could result in an apprenticeship or employment once you finish your T Level.
Entry requirements
This course is only available to 16-18 year olds.
- Five GCSEs at grade 4-9 including English Language and Maths
OR
- GCSE English Language and Maths grade 4-9 plus successful completion of a relevant Level 2 course.
OR
- GCSE English Language and Maths grade 4-9 plus successful completion of the T Level Foundation Year – Construction. A one-year study programme specifically designed to develop the skills, experience, knowledge and behaviours to support progression onto the relevant T Level. Ideal for those who are not ready to start a T Level but have the potential to progress onto one. Contact us for more details, 0808 100 3626.
How long is the course?
Two years.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through examinations, and practical assessments in class and a project set by employers.
Upon completion you will be awarded an overall grade (Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*). A T Level is a nationally-recognised qualification and your certificate will reflect this and will display your overall grade.
The certificate will also explain your grade from A* to E for the core component and any occupational specialisms you will receive a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.
It will also record whether you’ve achieved the minimum requirements for your maths and English qualifications, completed an industry placement and met any other additional mandatory requirements.
What can I progress onto?
- Skilled employment
- Higher level apprenticeships
- Higher education (university*).
*As we are a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may qualify for various benefits should you choose to apply to NTU after completing your college course. This could include a Progress NTU offer, where you would receive an offer one grade below their standard offer. For instance, a typical offer for one of their courses might require 128 UCAS tariff points. With Progress NTU, your requirements would be 120 UCAS tariff points. For further details, please call us on 0808 100 3626 or discover more about this benefit here.
Career opportunities