T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing: Design and Development

T Levels in Engineering are new courses introduced in September 2022. They follow GCSEs and are 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 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 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: Design and Development is a two-year course designed for those interested in pursuing a career in Engineering, specifically within the Design and Development sector.

For more information on 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 GCSE grade 5 in English
• A GCSE grade 6 in Maths
• A GCSE grade 5 in a Science (In total you will need to have five GCSEs at grade 5 or above and a 6 in Maths)
• A Level 2 Diploma in a relevant subject area to a Merit or Distinction grade

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 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

Every T Level includes 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 on a block or 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 will be assessed through a mixture of externally set exams and projects. These will bring together all the key theories and practical skills that the students learn throughout their time at College and on work placement.

Year 1

• Exam 1: Maths and Science
• Exam 2: Engineering in a Context
• Project: an Engineering project conducted in a controlled environment set over a week

Year 1 is graded A*-E.

Year 2

• Pathway specific project (either Mechanical or Electrical) – conducted in a controlled environment

Year 2 is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

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.

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 Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk