Engineering & Manufacturing: Design & Development T Level (Level 3)
This qualification will develop your knowledge, skills and professional behaviours across a wide range of engineering and manufacturing occupations and industries, and is delivered through a mixture of classroom theory and academic study, practical learning and 315 hours industry placement with an employer/s. The three components which make up the course are:
- Common Core – Year One
- Occupational Specialism – Year Two
- Industry Placement – Year One & Two
This qualification has been developed in collaboration with engineering employers and businesses so that it meets the needs of industry, and to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into skilled employment or higher level technical training relevant to the T Level. The development of English, maths and digital skills are also built into the T Level, meaning students will be given a solid foundation of transferable skills.
Entry requirements
You will have achieved 6 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, specifically achieving grade 4 or above in English, a grade 5 or above in Maths on the Higher Paper and ideally Sciences.
What will I study?
As well as developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours across a range of engineering and manufacturing occupations and industries, we also aim to develop your engineering mindset by developing wider skills such as problem solving, adaption, visualising, improving and systems thinking. This will ensure you can apply skills for different purposes and in different roles.
Common Core units include:
Maths and Science Principles for Engineering
- Essential Mathematics for Engineering and Manufacturing
- Essential Science for Engineering and Manufacturing
- Materials and their Properties
- Mechanical Principles
- Electrical and Electronic Principles
Engineering in Context
- Working within the Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors
- Engineering and Manufacturing Past, Present, and Future
- Engineering Representations
- Mechatronics
- Engineering and Manufacturing Control Systems
- Quality Management
- Health and Safety Principles and Coverage
- Business, Commercial and Financial Awareness
- Professional Responsibilities, Attitudes and Behaviours
- Stock and Asset Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Project and Programme Management
Employer Set Project
The employer-set project provides the opportunity to develop and apply a range of core skills and knowledge which are important for employability. This is an externally set project by an employer where you might be asked to design a solution to a given engineering problem, or to re-engineer a product, component, or engineering system to improve it. This will require you to use a range of skills and knowledge to solve an engineering problem and design a solution which you will model in CAD.
Occupational Specialisms:
You will follow your chosen occupational specialism in Year Two. The specialisms we are offering from the Design & Development pathway* from which you will choose are:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Electronic Engineering
You will study both the theoretical and applied aspects of the specialism and carry out a range of engineering projects leading to a 34 hour design and manufacture project exam.
*Pathways are subject to numbers.
Industry Placement
The industry placement allows you to develop and apply your subject specific skills as well as those necessary to working in any environment, such as effective planning, working with others, health and safety and professional behaviours. You will have support finding an appropriate placement/s and will be required to complete a total of 45 days (315 hours). You are required to create evidence of your personal learning and development throughout the placement too. The placement will start after Easter on a combination of day release and four week block release across the two years.
Method of delivery
Lessons will take place in the relevant environment to what you are studying i.e. you could be in a normal classroom, Computer Aided Design (CAD) or Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) suite, Advanced Manufacturing Centre or Mechanical Engineering Workshop. Using a range of teaching, learning and assessment techniques will support you in developing the skills and knowledge for your core examinations and employer set task, and your occupational specialist assignments.
How will I be assessed?
Core Content components
• Core paper 1 – external examination – Maths and Science Principles for Engineering (35%)
• Core paper 2 – external examination – Engineering in Context (35%)
• Employer-set project (30%)
To achieve a grade for the Core Content component, you must have results for both examinations and achieved the Employer-set project. The combined results from these will be aggregated to form the overall Core Content component grade (A* to E – pass grades).
Occupational Specialism
Externally set synoptic tasks and assignments – these could be a combination of written & practical activities which assess a range of criteria in relation to your chosen specialism, and graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Industry Placement
Completion of 45 days industry placement.
Your next steps
This technical qualification will support students on to a broad range of progression routes including employment, higher education engineering degree programmes or advanced/higher apprenticeships.
Due to the breadth of the T Level syllabus you could progress on to a range of engineering careers from Computer Aided Design Technician to Mechanical Engineer, and roles in electrical/electronic engineering, aerospace & aeronautical and advanced manufacturing engineering.
What can I do after I complete my T Level course?
These courses are designed to provide you with the skills needed to apply for employment in the relevant industry. Alternatively, you can progress to university to study further or you could apply to study an apprenticeship.
What UCAS points do T Levels carry?
UCAS tariff points were allocated to T Levels in 2019, with the top T Level grade equal to achieving 3 A* at A Level. Points have been allocated to the overall T Level grade, and students must achieve at least an overall pass grade to receive UCAS points.
Do I have to find my own work placement?
We have a Work Placement team based at the College who will arrange this for you with participating employers, ensuring you can gain the knowledge you need.
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