What is a T Level?

If you’re thinking about your next step after GCSE and not sure about what's out there, T Levels are worth a look. T Levels are a post-GCSE qualification designed to take your future to the next level. They’re Level 3 qualifications (broadly equivalent in size to three A-Levels) that take two years to complete. Here’s everything you need to know.

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How do they work? What T Level subjects are available? How do T Level grades work? Are T Levels worth it? Get ahead in construction T Levels vs Apprenticeships What qualifications do you need? T Level foundation year How do you apply?

Last Updated: 21/09/2026

How are T Levels structured?

During a T Level, you’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom, learning theory and practical skills. And the other 20% is putting this into practice on an industry placement.

Classroom learning

This takes place at a school, college or with a training provider. You’ll study core theory, concepts and skills relating to the industry, before focusing on one or more occupational specialisms.

Industry placement

You’ll work directly with an employer for 45 days. Depending on your employer, you’ll either complete your placement in one block of time, a series of day releases or a combination of both.

T Level work placements aren’t paid, but it’s worth asking your school, college or employer about any help with costs like travel or lunch.

What T Level subjects are available?

There’s a huge range to choose from, covering everything from construction to digital to legal services. You’ll find T Level subjects in:

Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
Business and Administration
Construction
Creative and Design
Digital
Education and Early Years
Engineering and Manufacturing
Health and Science
Legal, Finance and Accounting
Sales, Marketing and Procurement.

Want to get into building homes? Try Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction. Think you're more of a coder? Digital Software Development might be for you. New courses get added as industries evolve, so it’s always worth checking out what’s currently available.

Explore training options, routes into work and other technical education options through the UK government’s jobs and skills website to discover where your next step could take you.

Meet Sydney. She did a Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level placement with Gallagher Group that led to a degree apprenticeship after her studies. Here’s her story:

I always knew from a young age that I wanted to work in the construction industry. My placement went above and beyond to make sure I got value out of what I was doing and could develop my knowledge. It helped me to overcome questions and gave me skills I didn’t know I needed. It opened my eyes to the different routes I can take in my career. I would recommend doing a T Level if you want a practical job to go with your college-based learning.

Sydney Miller Degree Apprentice

How do T Level grades work?

You’ll need to complete the following three elements to achieve a T Level:

Technical qualification
Industry placement with an employer
Minimum standard in English and Maths (Level 2 Functional Skills or GCSEs) by the time you finish, plus digital skills if your course requires it.

If you’ve successfully finished your T Level, you’ll be awarded a nationally recognised certificate with a breakdown of your achievements.

T Level grades are given as pass, merit, distinction or distinction*.

Your final grade is made up of two parts: a ‘core’ grade (graded A*-E) for the theory you learn, and a grade for your ‘occupational specialism’ (the specific skills for your chosen job area - graded pass, merit or distinction). These combine to give you your overall T Level grade.

Don’t pass everything? You’ll still get a T Level statement of achievement showing what you completed.

Are T Levels worth it?

Yes! Over 90% of students who finished their T Level in 2022 and 2023 went straight into work or further study. With a T Level under your belt, you’ll have the following:

GET AHEAD IN YOUR CAREER

Your 45-day placement is an opportunity to develop your skills in a real work environment. You’ll work on real projects, gain valuable experience to put on your CV, build a network of useful contacts and find out if your chosen career is what you imagined. It works too; 71% of T Level students say their placement prepared them well for work, and around a third get a job with the same employer.

DEVELOP THE SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT

Created by businesses, T Levels equip you with the exact knowledge and skills you need to thrive in the workplace. Around 300 employers have been involved in developing T Levels, ranging from small local businesses to multinational corporations like Fujitsu and Skanska.

GAIN QUALIFICATIONS THAT COUNT

When you pass your T Level, you’ll get a nationally recognised certificate detailing your grades and what you learned on the course. You can then use these qualifications to apply for a Level 4 apprenticeship, a degree apprenticeship or a place at university.

T Levels are also worth UCAS points (a T Level Distinction* is equivalent to three A-Levels at A*, or 168 points). So if you want to keep studying afterwards, nothing is stopping you from applying to university. In 2023 and 2024, 97% of T Level students who applied through UCAS got at least one university offer.

Get ahead in construction

By 2029, the government wants to train up 60,000 more construction workers, backed by £600 million of investment. There are currently over 35,000 unfilled construction vacancies (the highest skills-shortage rate of any UK sector), so there’s a real opportunity to start your construction career.

Currently, you can choose between two routes:

Both T Levels will give you a general understanding of the construction industry, covering everything from health and safety and making accurate measurements to digital engineering techniques and sustainability.

If you choose Design, Surveying and Planning…

You'll also learn about project management, budgeting and procurement, before specialising in one of four areas:

Civil engineering
Building services design
Project delivery
Surveying and design.

If you choose Building Services Engineering…

You’ll go deeper into building technology and maintenance principles, with specialisms including:

Gas engineering
Heating and ventilation
Plumbing
Refrigeration and air conditioning, plus more specialisms to explore.

Cynthia was originally going to study A-Levels when she came across the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level and found it was the perfect way for her to gain experience in an industry she’s really passionate about:

"I'm going to be the first woman in my family to go into construction. It's an honour to go into something where you know you're needed — and where you know you're going to make an impact." Cynthia Lakos

If you're not sure about your next steps and need support, advice or someone to talk things through with, the National Careers Service can help.

VISIT THE NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE

What’s the difference between a T Level and an apprenticeship?

T Levels and apprenticeships have a lot in common. Both mix on-the-job experience with classroom learning, and are designed by employers to teach students the skills they’re looking for.

The big difference? Apprentices earn a salary because it’s a paid job. T Levels don’t pay, but you’ll spend a lot more time in the classroom.

T LEVELS:

80% classroom learning, 20% industry placement

APPRENTICESHIPS:

80% on-the-job, 20% classroom learning. Earn a salary.

Not sure which is the right fit for you? It all depends on whether you’re ready to walk into a full-time job.

Apprenticeships are great if you know exactly what career you want, want to earn a salary and are ready to work for a specific employer.

T Levels are perfect if you know the industry you want to work in, but want more time to build your skills before committing to one job or employer.

Want to find out more about apprenticeships?

READ GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

What qualifications do you need?

You generally need to be between 16 and 19 and have finished your GCSEs. Lots of providers ask for at least a grade 4 in GCSE maths and English, but it's always best to check with your chosen school or college directly, as they’ll list exactly what you’ll need.

T Level foundation year

Not quite ready to start your T Level, or don’t have the qualifications yet? You could get on to a T Level foundation year instead. It’s designed to help you develop the skills needed to prepare you for the T Level you want to do.

During the foundation year, you’ll develop your…

English and maths skills
Practical, technical and study skills.

You’ll also get some work experience to help you put those skills to the test. Whatever T Level you’re interested in, whether that’s health and science or business and administration — there’s a foundation year for it.

How do I apply for a T Level?

T Level applications are submitted directly to the provider (basically a school, college or training provider). They’re really easy to find too. Here’s how:

Find schools and colleges near you offering T Levels
Check their website to find out the entry requirements for your chosen course
Research the employers involved in designing the qualification.

Explore training options, routes into work and other technical education options through the UK government’s jobs and skills website to discover where your next step could take you.

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS