T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing

T Levels in Engineering are new courses to be introduced in September 2022. They follow GCSEs and will be equivalent to three A-levels. These two-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for working life.

T Levels will offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). They will provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door into skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.

The T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing is a two-year course and is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in  engineering design, engineering manufacture and maintenance or automation and control engineering. 

You will participate in tutorial sessions and join our Rail and Engineering Employment and Skills Academy which has outstanding links with – and support from – numerous local rail and engineering companies.

There are specialist pathways for Year 2 available in ‘Design and Development’ and ‘Manufacturing, Processing and Control’.

For more information on the T Levels, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels

You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen personal interest in pursuing a role in the engineering industry. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications and a successful interview. You will need one of the following:

• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 (higher C) or above, including English, Maths and Science
• A Level 2 Diploma in a relevant subject area to a Merit or Distinction grade. The candidate should also have GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 (higher C).

Maths is a critical element of this programme and is embedded in many of the units taken. Those accepted on the course with the older grade (C) in Maths must be able to demonstrate higher grade C ability – an additional assessment of suitability will need to be taken.

T Level courses will feature a technical qualification, which will include:

Year 1

• Core theory, concepts and skills for engineering centred on design, automation and manufacturing in electrical and mechanical engineering

Year 2 – Specialist pathway

• Design and Development
• Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Every T Level will include an industry placement with an employer, focused on developing the practical and technical skills required for the occupation. These will last a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) but can last longer. Employers can offer industry placements as a block, day release or a mix of these, and can discuss sharing part of the placement with another employer if necessary.

This course will be delivered on-site.

You will need to purchase various items of equipment, including safety boots for workshop activities and technical drawing equipment. The purchase of appropriate books and e-books is encouraged and guidance on which books to purchase will be given by subject specialists. There may also be a request for contributions to trips and visits as part of our Employment and Skills Academy activities.

Students who pass all the elements of their T Level will gain a nationally recognised certificate showing an overall grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction. It will also set out the details of what students have achieved on the course.

The T Level Certificate will include:

• an overall pass grade for the T Level, shown as Pass, Merit or Distinction
• a separate grade for the occupational specialism, shown as Pass, Merit or Distinction
• a separate grade for the core component, using grades A* to E
• details of the industry placement

This course allows for progression to the appropriate Level 4, 5 or 6 Engineering qualification.

Alternatively, and with employment in a qualifying role, progression to a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship in the appropriate specialist pathway could be possible.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk