The Qualification That Combines Study with Real Industry Experience
Our T-Levels are two-year qualifications for students aged 16-19 and are equivalent to three A-Levels.
Designed alongside employers, T-Levels combine classroom learning with substantial industry placements, giving students the skills, experience and confidence needed to progress to university, an apprenticeship or a skilled career.
At Kendal College, our T-Level students gain practical experience with local employers while studying a qualification that is recognised by over 140 universities.
Why Choose a T-Level:
- Equivalent to 3 A-Levels
- Worth up to 168 UCAS points (Distinction*)
- Includes a minimum 315-hour industry placement
- Developed with employers to meet industry needs
- Gain real workplace experience before you leave college
- Progress to university, apprenticeships or employment
T-Levels are ideal if you have completed your GCSEs and want to get into a skilled job. This qualification will help you build the knowledge and experience to get your desired position. T-Levels are being developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so the skills learned match the industry requirements.
Where Could a T-Level Take You?
A T-Level is more than a qualification.
It's an opportunity to gain real experience, build professional skills and develop industry connections while you study.
Our students complete placements with organisations including the NHS, BAE Systems, Siemens, Gilkes, local schools, farms, care providers and businesses across Cumbria.
By the time you complete your course, you'll have both a nationally recognised qualification and valuable workplace experience.
Can I Go to University with a T-Level?
T-Levels carry UCAS points and are recognised by by over 140 universities across the UK.
Many of our students progress to higher education, while others choose apprenticeships or move directly into employment.
A T-Level keeps your options open while giving you valuable industry experience.
Are T-Levels Recognised by Employers?
T-Levels have been developed in partnership with employers to ensure students develop the skills and knowledge needed within their chosen sector.
Employers value the combination of technical knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience that T-Level students bring.
T-Levels or Apprenticeships?
T-Levels and apprenticeships are different. A T-Level will give you the opportunity to continue your studies and get a much broader idea of what it’s like to work in a certain sector, with the opportunity to specialise later. Apprenticeships are paid, work-based training for those who know what occupation they wish to pursue.
With a T-Level, 80% of your time will be spent in the classroom with the remaining 20% being spent on placement. An apprenticeship is the other way round and is more suited to those who want to earn and learn from the age of 16.
Supporting Cumbria's Future Workforce
The introduction of T-Levels is an important step towards future-proofing the Cumbrian economy by helping create the higher-level technical skills needed to grow the industry. It brings technical qualifications into parity with A-Levels, with T-Levels being much more focused on industrial placements and technical understanding. We are aware of the need for skills in digital, health and child care, and education and science. Four out of five emerging jobs need high-level digital technical skills.
Explore Our T-Level Subjects & Courses:
Health & Social Care
- Health T-Level: This course combines academic knowledge with meaningful work placements with the NHS. This gives you the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into all areas of nursing, including adult nursing, mental health, paramedics, and midwifery.
Business
- Business (Management & Administration): You will learn the core knowledge which underpins business and the required skills for a career in the industry, as identified by employers. This course combines theory, practical learning and industry placements designed, alongside industry experts, to progress on further study or employment.
- Business (Sales & Marketing): You will learn the core knowledge which underpins sales and marketing, and the required skills for a career in the industry, as identified by employers. This course combines theory, practical learning and industry placements designed, alongside industry experts, to progress on further study or employment.
Education & Early Years:
- Education & Early Years: T-Levels are a high-quality, work-focused alternative to A-Levels for young people after completing their GCSEs. T-Levels are one of the main routes for a young person to enter the education and care sector.
Animal Care:
- Animal Care & Management (Animal Behaviour): This course is intended for anyone who would like to develop a career working with animals and supports access to careers in the animal management sector. It is primarily for learners who are intending to gain employment directly, or progress to an apprenticeship or a higher-level animal management qualification e.g. degree. Highly qualified and experienced veterinary, technical and teaching staff support students to achieve this qualification.
- Animal Care & Management (Animal Science): This course is intended for anyone who would like to develop a career working with animals and supports access to careers in the animal management sector. It is primarily for learners who are intending to gain employment directly, or progress to an apprenticeship or a higher-level animal management qualification e.g. degree. Highly qualified and experienced veterinary, technical and teaching staff support students to achieve this qualification.
Engineering:
- Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing (Electrical): This course combines the fundamental engineering knowledge you require to succeed in a multitude of engineering roles, alongside a work placement and practical skills program developed in tandem with local employers to ensure you have the experience to get ahead in the engineering world.
- Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing (Mechanical): This course combines the fundamental engineering knowledge you require to succeed in a multitude of engineering roles, alongside a work placement and practical skills program developed in tandem with local employers to ensure you have the experience to get ahead in the engineering world.
Agriculture:
- Agriculture, Land Management & Production: This course combines academic knowledge with meaningful work placements within the agriculture sector. During the 2-year programme, students will learn the core knowledge and skills needed for entry to various agriculture, land management and production occupations.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Discover where a T-Level could take you and start building your future today.
Kendal College had a lot to do with where I am now. I did a Health and Social course which opened up a world of possibilities for me, including everything I do related to mental health.
Helen Lecky-Thompson - Alumni
