T LEVELS AT WEST NOTTS COLLEGE

T Levels 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.

As an alternative next-step after GCSEs, a T Level is a nationally-recognised Level 3 qualification that is equivalent to three A Levels or a Level 3 vocational programme and includes a 45-day (315 hours) work placement with a reputable employer within your chosen industry.

FREE* WEST NOTTS COLLEGE TRAVEL PASS

To enable you to attend your mandatory work placements with employers, we’re pleased to offer all students studying a T Level course 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 per week.

Find out more

If you enjoy learning both in the classroom and on the job, a T Level would be a great option for you!

80% of learning/experience spent in college.

20% of learning/experience spent on work placement.

WHY CHOOSE A T LEVEL?

DESIGNED BY EMPLOYERS, MADE FOR YOU

T Levels 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.

Hear what our current T Level students have to say:

TAKING YOUR SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

To study on a T Level programme, you will need to be aged 16-18 and have a passion for a technical-based sector (eg. engineering).

At West Notts, you will need to have five GCSEs at grade 4-9 including English Language and Maths. If you do not meet the entry requirements, you can step onto a Level 2 transition programme and later progress onto a T Level.

As a T Level combines academic theory with practical skills, it is seen a more academic route than an apprenticeship, but more practical than A Levels. It provides the perfect mix to progress onto:

SKILLED EMPLOYMENT

HIGHER LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS

HIGHER EDUCATION (UNIVERSITY)

TAKE YOUR LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Across the two years, you will need to complete an exciting 45-day (315 hours) placement with a reputable employer.

Throughout the summer 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 unique opportunity that helps to prepare you for your future by:

Giving you experience at an external business

Enhancing your technical skills ready to take into the workplace

Creating relationships with employers that could result in an apprenticeship or employment.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

You will be assessed through examinations, applied and practical assessments in class and through a project set by your employer.

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 as well as if you’ve completed the industry placement and any other additional mandatory requirements.

UNIVERSITY PROGRESSION

You may wish to progress to university after your T Level. Here’s a breakdown of what your qualification is matched to:

FAQS

• Who can apply for a T Level?

  T Levels are aimed at advanced students who are aged 16-18 and have five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths.

• What if I don't get the grades for a T Level?

  If you do not meet the entry requirements you could study a T Level Foundation Year. This is a one-year study programme specifically designed to develop the skills, experience, knowledge and behaviours to support progression onto the relevant T Level. These are 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.

• Will I recieve a salary from the employer?

  No, you won’t get paid for doing a T Level. However, you will be gaining valuable workplace experience whilst also undertaking a prestigious qualification.

• Do employers recognise the importance of T Levels?

  Absolutely. More than 200 businesses including Fujitsu and Skanska have been involved in putting them together, so you can be confident your T Level will move you to the next level. Plus, after studying a T Level you can progress onto other options, such as apprenticeships or full-time university to get yourself a degree.

• Where does a T Level lead to?

  You will be able to progress onto higher education (university), a higher apprenticeship or employment, depending on which route you feel is best suited to you.

• Do I have to find my own industry placement?

  Yes, you will need to proactively secure your placement. However, a dedicated work placement advisor will be on hand to support you and help explore our existing employer links.

• How do T Levels differ from other vocational studies?

  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.

• I am an employer. Where can I find out more?

  If you are an employer and want to know more about how you can benefit from supporting a T Level student with an industry placement, please contact workplacement@wnc.ac.uk. If you would like to get involved in our Skills Advisory Boards and discuss the skills taught on our courses, please contact employerservices@wnc.ac.uk.

*Free for new and returning students for academic year 2025/2026. This is subject to change for academic year 2026/2027.