T Levels and Higher Education Progression

T Levels provide a strong foundation for young people aged 16-19 and can lead on to a range of progression opportunities, including Higher Education (HE) and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs). The Department for Education engages closely with the HE sector on T Levels to ensure that students have the best progression options available following their T Level.

HE providers are autonomous institutions and many are competitive, with high entry requirements for some courses and additional requirements. We would encourage providers to support students with their HE journeys early on, so they are able to be realistic about the possibilities of progression. To support students’ understanding of the options for progression into higher education from T Levels, the department has produced a list of higher education providers that will accept T Levels. The UCAS Course Directory also provide a source of information on courses and entry requirements for different institutions for students.

Some HE providers may request further information about T Level content before deciding on their admissions policy. Supporting your local HE providers by sharing T Level resources for universities is a good opportunity to build relationships and support student progression into HE.

Below is a list of resources that you can signpost to your local HE providers to promote T Levels:

• The overarching T Level resources for universities page. This includes links to:
  • Informative slides to  support Higher Education providers understanding of a T Level, including its purpose, programme design, assessment and grading: Guidance on supporting higher education institutions to understand T Levels. 
  • Mapping of the maths content of the Digital: Digital Production, Design and Development and Qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Levels related to A Level Maths and BTEC content. Mapping of the science content of the Health, Healthcare Science and Science T Levels related to Science A Levels and Applied Science BTECs.
  • Recorded webinars delivered by the department, alongside with Awarding Organisations (AOs) to the sector. These include a webinar on what makes T Level suitable for higher education as well as subject-specific webinars.
• To support understanding on how T Level works with UCAS tariff points and how grades are calculated – T Levels support for schools and colleges.
• To demonstrate an evidence base for HE admissions of the second T Level cohort, UCAS have published a blog on what do we know about progression for the second cohort of students with T Levels?
• To support providers who are considering to deliver a T Level, Keele University case study shows a proactive approach to planning and how T Levels fit to benefit their organisation.
• Sharing case studies can be a helpful resource to local HE providers highlighting the success stories of student’s progression routes into HE. 
• HTQs are based on the same occupational standards as T Levels  and provide an opportunity for students to continue to develop their skills on the same pathway.
  • To help T Level providers support students to progress to an HTQ, we have created a range of resources including webinars, a teacher guide, a one-pager explainer and information session slide deck.
  • Providers can also access further support via the HTQ Provider Toolkit.
• There is also a large support network for T Levels that has been developed across the HE sector through bodies such as UCAS, UUK, University Alliance, UVAC, MillionPlus, HELOA, Independent HE, GuildHE and Russell Group. You can signpost providers to these bodies who have provided support for T Levels including holding events, disseminating key information and feedback on policy proposals.

The department has been engaging with many Higher Education providers across the UK directly on T Levels, if you would like to suggest specific Higher Education providers that the department should approach, we ask that you email routesreadiness.te@education.gov.uk.