What are T-levels and how are they being updated?

T-levels are a new innovative path of education for UK students, which will now allow remote work as part of the industry placement as of January 2025.

What are T-levels?

T-levels are vocational qualifications for 16–19-year-olds in England, with a focus on practical subjects in comparison to academic ones. They have a mix of classroom based learning and on-the-job placements.

The work placements were created to enhance greater practicality and experience, with industry modules being at least 315 hours or 9 weeks. This contributes 20% to the entire qualification.

They were first introduced in the United Kingdom in September 2020. Some of the first courses included construction, education, and childcare.

The range of T-level options have steadily expanded since then, with 7 more courses being introduced in 2021, 6 in 2022 and 2 in 2023.

T-levels were created under the Tories as an educational levelling-up measure. The aim was to ensure vocational studies were respected at a similar capacity as their more traditional counterparts – A-levels.

The introduction of the new post-16 education path has had an awfully rocky start, with Ofsted criticising their offer of poor value, inappropriate industry placements, and high dropout rates.

Another specific issue highlighted by Ofsted was a shortage of qualified teachers to run the 2-year long vocational course. Such issues are not foreign to the UK’s education system, with 2023 government figures also showing that secondary school teacher targets were missed by a whole bisection – 50%.

Updates to the T-level structure

It seems the current government are attempting to improve T-levels by making them more accessible and convenient. Part of the work placement will be remote in 2025.

On average 20% of the placement will be remote, but for digital T-levels up to 50% of the course can be completed from home.

Many are praising the new model of learning, stating that it is pathing a more modern approach to education.

Furthermore, it allows for greater flexibility in comparison to traditional courses like A-levels.

This gives teen carers, those with neurodiversity, and young people with busier schedules more versality within their qualifications.

However, others argue that such innovations are making young people over reliant on technology and isolating them at home.

This could create bigger issues in the future such as a rise in poor mental health, especially as overconsumption of screentime and a lack of in-person communication is correlated to growing mental health struggles within young people.

Navigating your Post-16 education

Nonetheless, if T-levels aren’t quite your cup of T (I’ll let myself out), there are other comparable post-16 choices.

Initially, T-levels were designed to replace BTEC’s, which are work related qualifications that combine practical learning with theory and mostly consist of coursework, however the Labour government have scrapped the scrapping of BTECs.

This has saved 157 courses that otherwise would be extinct from the UK education system.

Nevertheless, more than 200 courses with low enrolment will still have funding withdrawals as of 2025.

Unsure what or if you want study at college level?

Here are some Thred top tips to help you navigate your future prospects:

1. Reflect on your interest and strengths

• Mind map your current favourite subjects/activities
• What are you naturally good at?
• Attend open days

2. Explore future career prospects

• Think about which industries appeal to you
• Reach out to professionals via social media or email to get some career insights
• What impact do you want to make in the world ?

3. Asses your readiness

• If you’re not ready for further education, it’s okay to take a gap year!

Explore all your options at post-16, whether that be T-levels, apprenticeships or other paths, your future is full of diverse possibilities!