T Level Digital Software Development

If your passion is programming, then this T Level is perfect for you. The course provides an inspiring curriculum that will offer you the academic knowledge and occupational competency required for a rewarding and exciting career in Software Development.

Duration 2 years
Qualification T Level
Start Date Thursday 3rd September 2026
Course Code TLDIGDD26T
A tutor stands next to two students who are working at computers. One student points towards their computer screen.

TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Small Classes
  • Experienced Tutors
  • Modern Equipment

Work Placement

You will be required to undertake a minimum of 315 hours in a relevant work placement.

Learn from sector experts

You will be taught by staff with extensive experience who will advance your knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of the IT industry.

Develop work-related skills

You will develop personal and work-related skills which will help prepare you for academic progression and full-time work. You will have access to hardware and networking lab facilities for the practical parts of the course.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

This course has been developed in collaboration with employers and business to ensure that the content is relevant and meets industry standards. Building on your existing knowledge, this course will stretch and challenge your IT abilities, preparing you for work in the IT sector. With a specific focus on software design and development, you will spend a large amount of time programming and undertake a variety of projects, learning both theoretical and practical elements of project management. Lessons take place in specialist IT rooms with networked PCs. Your lecturers will be specialists in their field who will teach you through a variety of demonstrations, lectures and by helping you undertake a variety of practical tasks.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The T Level Technical Qualification in Digital: Digital Production, Design and Development has two mandatory components:

Core Component – This component covers the underpinning knowledge, concepts and skills that support threshold competence in the digital industry.

The core content focuses on students’ knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts, theories, principles and core skills within the digital industry. The topics covered include: problem solving; programming; emerging issues and impact of digital; legislation and regulatory requirements; business context; fundamentals of data; digital environments; and security concepts.

Occupational Specialist Component – This component covers the occupational specialist knowledge and skills required to demonstrate threshold competence for the specialism and it will be assessed by a skills-related project that synoptically assesses the Performance Outcome skills and associated underpinning knowledge. The topics covered include: systems analysis; designing and developing software; testing software; maintaining and supporting software; developing software in a collaborative environment; and legal and regulatory requirements.

Industry Placement – Every student will undertake an industry placement with an employer focused on developing the practical and technical skills. Placements will be undertaken with a minimum of 315 hours.

WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?

This course is intended for students who want to progress to a career in the digital sector, with a focus on software design and development. This course will ensure students have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into highly skilled employment, an Apprenticeship or higher-level study, including university, within the specialist area of software design and development.

At the end of the Technical qualification, students are expected to demonstrate threshold competence, which means that they have gained the core knowledge and skills related to software design, programming and development and are well placed to develop full occupational competence with additional development and support once in employment in the digital sector.

Assessment is continuous throughout the course and consists of written tasks, presentations, demonstrations, and controlled assessments. You will also be required to sit external exams as part of the course requirements.

Year One – There are three assessments in the Core Components. Two written exams, one externally assessed project.

Year Two – The Occupational Specialist Component is a single synoptic assessment which is an extended ‘design, development and implementation’ project. This assessment consists of a number of activities grouped into four substantive tasks.

Three girls sit on a picnic bench and are chatting and laughing.
Course code: TLDIGDD26T
Duration 2 years
Qualification T Level