T Levels

These are 2-year courses (with their full name being Technical Level Qualifications), introduced form September 2020, aimed at 16-18-year olds and are one of three main education choices after GCSEs for young people, alongside A levels and apprenticeships.

T-level qualifications cover a range of vocational subject areas, take from 1,500 to 1,800 hours to complete (being equivalent to 3 A levels), which includes a minimum of 315 hours (about 45 days as a block, day release or combination of these) of industry work placement. In August 2025 there were 21 T Levels available for study.

The challenge for schools and sixth forms will be to identify employers willing to invest time and resources to support these qualifications, although they can use this opportunity to identify potential young employees.
(Policy paper: Introduction of T Levels, updated 13 August 2025)