Monday December the 2nd until Friday December the 6th is T-Levels Celebration Week.
Launched in 2020, T-Levels are technical-based qualifications, developed in collaboration with employers and businesses. The courses aim to meet the needs of industry and ensures that students are equipped with the skills they need to gain employment in their chosen career or to progress to further training, or study.
Broadly equivalent to 3 A-Levels and accruing UCAS points, they are two-year courses that can be studied by 16–18 year-olds after finishing their GCSEs.
New College Durham (NCD) started offering T-Levels at their launch in 2020 and starting in September 2025, will offer courses in 17 subjects covering everything from Midwifery to Electrotechnical Engineering, Digital Production, Design & Development to Education & Childcare, and Adult Nursing, to Cyber Support
Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal New College Durham, said:
“New college Durham is proud to be one of the first, and indeed one of the leading providers in the North East to deliver T-Levels. It’s the unique mixture of classroom learning and on-the-job experience that makes T-Levels a fantastic qualification to undertake. Over the two years our students will spend most of their time the classroom but will also spend at least 45 days on an industry placement gaining essential skills with an employer.”
For anyone not sure about their future career path, progression into employment is not the only option. T-Levels are now accepted by over 160 universities and higher education providers enabling successful students to pursue Higher Technical Qualifications or even a Batchelors Degree.
Alison added,
“Earlier this year, our T-Level students taking Civil Engineering, Digital Production, Design and Development, Early Years Educator, Supporting Healthcare, and Surveying and Design for Construction and the Built Environment achieved a fantastic 100% pass rate with an impressive 69% of students achieving grades of B or above.
The future is undoubtedly bright for these accomplished students as they move on into either their chosen career or further academic studies, and we look forward to hearing about their future success.”
Looking to the future, the T-Level qualification is set to become a new benchmark for academic achievement, with support from the highest level.
Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith said:
“This government is backing T Levels as a top-quality qualification, helping young people develop skills to seize opportunity.”
“T Levels offer hands-on experience in the workplace and excellent career prospects for young people seeking skilled work or further study. This September saw us launch three new subjects, with another set to launch next year.”
“I’m delighted to see more employers getting behind T Levels by offering industry placements, including Amazon, Lloyds Banking Group, and Morecambe Bay
NHS Foundation Trust, helping to nurture future talent and support the development of in-demand skills.”
NCD invites everyone to Join them on social media as they celebrate their students this December at #TLevelsWeek
For more information on T-Levels and for advice on applying visit www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk/courses/t-levels
