T Levels are a brand-new, 2-year qualification designed with employers to give you a head start towards the future you want. They follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels. T Levels offer an alternative to A levels, and apprenticeship or other post 16 courses and ensure that you gain the knowledge and skills you need to move into skilled work, an apprenticeship or further study.
The digital sector has one of the largest projected economic growth outputs in the UK which means that there will be lots of future jobs in this ever-changing and quickly evolving sector. Significant changes in employment working practices will continue to take place as more companies embrace the many benefits of digital technology.
The Digital Production, Design and Development T level will give you the
skills and knowledge needed to flourish in this exciting sector so that you can
be part of the future digital workforce. You’ll learn a wide range of
knowledge on topics needed to be successful in the fast-paced Digital industry
such as Digital Analysis, Diversity and Inclusion, Security and
Testing.
Key Facts
Programme Costs:
The fees for this course are currently being confirmed.
Please contact Student Recruitment for more information.
Level:
3
Course Code:
- 24/25HTH0011
Mode of Attendance:
- Full Time
Course Duration:
2 Years
Dates:
- September 2024
CourseContent
Year 1 is made up of three key parts:
1. Core: Knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts and theories of the digital industry:
- Business Context, Culture, Data, Digital Analysis, Digital Environments, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning, Legislation, Planning, Security, Testing, Tools, English and Maths.
- Developing and projecting a positive digital identity and manage digital reputation.
- Adopting professional approaches to using digital communications and social media.
- Being aware of information security and the security controls that can be used to mitigate security threats within solutions and services.
- Choosing devices, applications, software and systems relevant to different tasks, having assessed their benefits and constraints.
- Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data in spreadsheets, databases and other formats, and interpreting data by running queries, data analyses and reports.
- Understanding digital media as a social, political and educational tool, and of digital media production as a technical practice.
- Understanding digital research methods and data analysis tools and techniques.
- Understanding innovation, enterprise and project management in digital settings.
2. Employer Set Project: A project set by digital leaders that requires you to apply your knowledge to a real-life problem in the industry.
3. Industry Placement: Towards the end of the year, you will get the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills you have learned in to action as you start your industry placement. You will work with an external digital industry employer to apply your knowledge and develop your technical skills in a real-life digital workplace.
Year 2 is made up of two key parts:
1. You will specialise in key areas of Digital Production, Design and Development; which will help you to develop deeper knowledge and skills on the following key topic areas:
- Analysing a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria aligned to user needs.
- Designing, implementing and testing software.
- Changing, maintaining and supporting software.
- Creating solutions in a social and collaborative environment.
- Discovering, evaluating and applying reliable sources of knowledge.
- Applying ethical principles and managing risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software.
2. Continuation of your Industry Placement; with an external digital industry employer which will develop your technical skills and apply your knowledge in a workplace environment.
Across year one and two, you will complete at least 45 days in total working in the digital industry, giving you valuable experience in the workplace and employers the chance to see the new talent in their industry.
Delivery
Model
Full time programme, with classroom learning (80% of the course) and an
extended industry placement (20% of the course).Features/
Benefits
T Levels are designed to deliver world-class technical education and give you
a new choice after GCSEs. The Digital T level has been designed with
leading businesses and employers in the digital industry and gives you:
- A thorough understanding of concepts and theories of the digital industry.
- The opportunity to solve real life problems in the digital industry.
- Valuable experience of learning from the experts through working side by side with those in the digital industry on your industry placement so that you have the chance to learn what this career is like in the real world while you continue your studies.
- Specialist knowledge and skills of Digital Production, Design and Development so that you can align yourself to the high demand for digital skills in the workplace as we see the impact of automation on jobs and increased requirement for digital capabilities. Data shows that almost 90% of newly emerging jobs will require digital skills to some degree.
- Your T Level will be worth UCAS points – a T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A Levels at A* – and will be recognised by universities and other education providers so you can choose to continue studying if you wish.
- T Levels involve more classroom study than apprenticeships, which means you can experience an industry whilst you continue your studies.
The two key skills employers want are:
- Specialist IT skills such as programming, data storage and security,
understanding increasingly complex IT architecture
- Functional skills e.g. email, internet, accessing information, completing on-line documentation
Both of these skill sets are covered on the T Level.
For
September 2022, the college will be opening the new T Level Centre - a
contemporay state-of-the-art learning environment. The Digital Production,
Design and Development teaching facility will feature specialist equipment
including:
- 30 x Dell XPS Hi Spec PC’s – each with dual high spec PC monitors.
- 3 x Smart TV’s and a 49” 4K Smart Ultra HD TV that will enhance learning by providing multiple teaching displays in each room.
- Raspberry Pi’s with 21.5” LCD Monitors to support Linux, Cyber Security and IoT projects.
- Arduino kits for experimenting with sensors and actuators to create IoT devices
Entry
Requirements
- GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above.
- GCSE Maths at grade 5 or above.
- GCSE Computing or Computer Science grade 4 or above (preferable).
- And at least two other GCSE qualifications at grade 4 or above.
A previous study of a digital subject is not a requirement; however, you should have an interest in the digital sector and be prepared to discuss this further at interview.
Assessment
Methods
Year 1:
- Core Assessment: Externally Set Test – Paper 1 and Paper 2 are both graded A*-E.
- Employer Set Project: Externally assessed project work is graded A*-E.
- Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a workplace environment.
Year 2:
- Synoptic assessment to judge how well the competence requirements have been met. Graded: Distinction, Merit or Pass.
- Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and
evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a
workplace environment.
Progression
Opportunities
T Levels offer many opportunities for progression:
- Progress to University: You can use the UCAS points you achieve as a result of completing your T level to continue your studies at university.
- Enter Employment: You can use the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained to start working in the digital industry.
- Apprenticeship: There are many opportunities offered through
apprenticeships that allow you to carry on learning (20%) whilst spending most
of your time (80%) furthering your skills in the
workplace.
FAQs
Q: Can you only study one T level?
A: Yes. Each T level is a
full-time programme.
Q: Do I have to pay to complete a T level?
A: Like A Levels, there are no
tuition fees to study a T Level if you start before you are 19.
Q: How many employers will I work with as part of my industry
placement?
A: It is likely that you will work with at least 2 employers as
part of your industry placement so that you have the opportunity to experience
different working environments.
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information contained on this website is correct, the College accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Please note that details are subject to change without notice with regard to the provision of courses, course times and dates and the fees and charges levied.