T levels were first introduced in selected schools and colleges in 2020, and as recent government figures show, their popularity just keeps on growing.
T levels – which crucially include a 45-day industry placement – have captured the imaginations of post 16 school-leavers looking to combine academic learning with work experience that precisely relates to their studies.
Taking two-years to complete, they are equivalent to 3 A levels, with T level Distinction* having the same value as three A* A levels. And, for those students who wish to go on to higher education afterwards, T levels are also awarded UCAS points by universities.
T level take-up has accelerated as more subject areas have come on stream. Learners now have more than 20 different courses to choose from covering everything from animal care, business, marketing and construction to science, engineering, early years education and digital.
Of the 11,909 T levels students who collected their results last summer, 91.4% passed their course, with nearly two thirds of these achieving a merit or above.
August 14, 2025, the fourth year of T level results day, saw the inclusion of two new subject areas for the first time, Agriculture, Land Management & Production, and Legal.
Encouragingly, learners report that universities are embracing T levels as a recognised route into higher education, with many HEIs inquiring about the qualification when students apply to degree courses.
School leavers with good GCSE grades who choose T levels over A levels, often tell us that it’s the work placement aspect that swayed their decision when contemplating their level 3 options.
They like that the practical part of their T level course is directly relevant to classroom learning, with industry experience neatly complementing their academic study.
And some who go on to degree apprenticeships or full-time university courses after, find that having spent time in their chosen industry or sector has given them a head start over other learners. Hands-on experience of procedures, processes, protocols and equipment means they’re already familiar with the basics when they move on to higher education.
Something else students really enjoy about T levels is the variety they offer. Moving between classroom and industry placement mixes things up. Some learners also like the idea of doing presentations, coursework and assignments across the college year instead of sitting one main exam at the end of their course.
Although classroom study time is factored in during the college day, most students also agree that T levels are challenging. Achieving a pass or higher takes hard work and dedication, so anything that lightens their heavy workload is welcome.
Onefile has worked with colleges who’ve offered T levels right from their introduction and understands the issues learners and tutors face. As leaders in learner management systems, we help college staff manage learner progress, tracking learner activities, and assessing them remotely.
And our user-friendly range of software tools has been designed to keep learners excited, engaged and on track. With Onefile, T level students create an Eportfolio with documents, images, videos and audio which display their skills and show evidence of learning.
To learn how Onefile can support you with your T level delivery, click here to book a discovery call.