Here at Truro and Penwith College, we are very passionate about the T Level. This Level 3 qualification is a great alternative to A Levels or Extended Diplomas and allows you to learn in the classroom as well as undertake a professional work placement. Keep reading to find out why this qualification is taking the country by storm, being described as next level qualifications by the UK Government.
What is a T Level?
The T Level is a qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds, taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A levels. They focus on technical and vocational skills, by providing a great balance of time in the classroom with a work placement of 45 days. The T Level can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships, the opportunities are endless!
The way that the T Level differs from apprenticeships is that apprenticeships are more work based, with 80% of the student’s time being in the workplace and 20% in a classroom, whereas the T Level is the opposite; 80% classroom work and 20% in a work placement setting.
What subjects can I study as a T Level?
Here at the College, we offer T Levels in Health and Social Care, Education, Computing and IT and Construction, meaning our students are getting hands-on experience with local employers in a wide variety of fields.
Why should I choose Truro and Penwith College for T Levels?
Truro and Penwith College started providing T Levels to our students in 2020 when they were introduced. As one of the first ever T Level providers in the country, we are proud of what our students and staff have achieved. In 2025, 34% of T Level learners achieved the highest grade of Distinction in their occupational specialisms, against a national average of 18%.
Truro and Penwith College has seen incredible growth in our facilities available to those studying the T Level. Our T Level Health students at Truro College and at the STEM and Health Skills Centre in Bodmin have access to the health simulation suites, which allows them to get first-hand experience in the field before heading out to their work placements. There are also computer labs across College campuses that have industry level software, allowing our students to get hands-on experience with programmes they will be using in the computing industry. As well as this, our Construction T Level students practice their skills with professional standard surveying equipment.
T Level courses are created in collaboration with employers and businesses to ensure the course meets industry standards and students are able to go on to apprenticeships or employment.
What our T Level students say
Jess, a second year T Level Surveying and Planning student, feels that the T Level is the best choice for her.
“T Levels were definitely the right choice for my chosen career,” Jess said. “What we do is so varied, we get a wide range of options of what we want to go into. Especially for Construction, it’s a very good route to go down.
“You meet a lot of people, and doing the placements helps you gain a lot of experience! I’ve done an architect’s placement for 4 weeks in St Austell which was good, and I’m currently doing quantity surveying with a company in Truro, who are hopefully going to offer me a place for after College.”
Jacques, a first year in the Digital Production Design and Development T Level, echoed her opinion. “One thing we do on this course is present to the class, which is really good for building confidence!”
What do I need to study a T Level?
To study a T Level, you will need a GCSE in English (Language or Literature) at Grade 4, a GCSE in Maths at Grade 4 and two other GCSEs at Grade 4 (including Combined Science for Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning) or Level 2 Diploma in an appropriate subject (Merit).
T Levels are available across all 3 Truro and Penwith College campuses: Truro College, Penwith College and the STEM and Health Skills Centre.
Are you looking to go further? See the full range of T Level courses available on our website.
