In celebration of T-Level Thursday, we sat down with two Year 13 learners to gain insight into their experiences with T-Level courses. T-Levels are an innovative alternative to A-Levels, offering learners a blend of classroom learning and practical work experience to prepare them for industry roles or further education. Today, we hear from Mahima, who is pursuing a T-Level in Digital Production, Design, and Development, and David, who is undertaking a T-Level in Engineering and Manufacturing.
Mahima: Digital Production, Design, and Development
I’ve always been passionate about technology and knew I wanted to pursue a career in software development or cybersecurity. Choosing a T-Level was a no-brainer because it gives you a perfect mix of technical learning and real-world experience. Unlike A-Levels, my course focuses more on practical skills and includes a work placement that has been invaluable. I decided to study at LDE UTC because of its strong emphasis on tech and engineering, and the course had everything I was looking for, from programming to the professional skills needed when working in industry.
One of my highlights so far has been my industry placement, where I got to work on a group project and learn new programming languages like PHP. This experience helped me improve my coding and teamwork skills. Another standout moment was working on a Raspberry Pi car project, which introduced me to hardware and coding integration. I also had the chance to visit M&G multiple times, learning about employability and how finance ties into tech. Overall, my T-Level has helped me build technical skills, teamwork, and industry knowledge, preparing me for my future career in IT and cybersecurity.
David: Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
I’m studying the T-Level in Engineering and Manufacturing. This course has been an incredible journey, teaching me everything from schematic drawing in different views to how engineering principles apply in real-world settings. We’ve explored how math and science are used in industry, learned about various software and hardware systems, and even worked with industry level equipment. Health and safety are a big focus too, ensuring we understand how to reduce risks in engineering environments. Another key aspect we’ve studied is Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, which has taught us business techniques for optimising industrial processes. One of the reasons I chose this course was the access to top-of-the-line engineering equipment, like Festo electro-pneumatic boards, which give us real industry experience. The opportunities on this course have been amazing—our industry placement is invaluable, and we also go on trips to major engineering companies like Britvic, Omron, and Cosworth. A highlight for me was a three-day residential trip to Portsmouth, where we explored maritime engineering. Another standout experience was competing in the Festo WorldSkills competition, where I tested my skills in pneumatics, electro-pneumatics, and programming under pressure. I was also honoured to represent my school at a national engineering event, discussing the future of driverless cars with industry leaders. My T-Level has given me the knowledge and experience to pursue a career in electrical and electronic engineering or robotics, ideally through a degree apprenticeship.
Mahima and David’s experiences show just how valuable T-Levels can be in preparing students for the future. With a strong focus on hands-on learning and industry placements, T-Levels provide real-world experience that traditional academic pathways often lack. Whether students aspire to careers in tech, engineering, or other industries, T-Levels offer a practical and effective route to success in today’s job market.
