Computing & the Digital Environment T Level (Level 3)

A minimum of 3 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above and ideally grade 5 or above in Maths and English Language. You do not need to have taken GCSE Computer Science.

An interest in technology, computing, and working in the digital sector will be advantageous, whilst having the motivation to work hard, both in and out of class is expected.

In Year 12 you will complete a core Technical Qualification (TQ), while in Year 13 you follow your Occupational Specialism, according to the Digital T Level route you have chosen.

The Technical Qualification (TQ) is the main classroom-based element of the T Level and will see you learn from a curriculum that has been shaped by industry experts. You will learn the core knowledge that underpins most jobs in the digital industry and you will also develop occupationally-specific skills that will allow you to enter skilled employment within a specific occupation. This qualification has been developed in consultation with employers in the digital industry to ensure you learn the skills and behaviours that will give you the best opportunity to be successful when applying for work.

Core Component
The core component provides a broad understanding of the digital industry and covers digital focused topics including:

• Problem Solving
• Programming
• Emerging Issues and Impact of Digital Technologies
• Legislation and Regulatory Requirements
• Business Context
• Data & Data Science
• Digital Environments & Networks
• Security
• Project Planning
• Software Testing

Occupational Specialisms
The occupational specialism will allow you to develop the relevant skills in preparation for your career in the digital industry.

The content of the occupational specialism will cover topics including:

• Analysing a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria aligned to user needs
• Designing, implementing and testing software
• Changing, maintaining and supporting software
• Creating solutions in a social and collaborative environment
• Discovering, evaluating and applying reliable sources of knowledge
• Applying ethical principles and managing risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software

This course provides a great opportunity for you to work alongside industry professionals. You will become part of a team and significantly contribute to ongoing projects in industry. This will allow you to apply and develop your skills and put the theory you learn into practice.

An important requirement of the programme is that you must complete a 315 hour (approximately 45 days) work placement with an employer in the digital sector, where you will be fully integrated into the business, gaining real-life skills and practical experience, which are vital additions to your CV and UCAS applications for university.

We will help and support you to find the right placement.

You will attend College four days a week from September to Easter and then five days a week including the work placement. This will continue until the work placement is concluded and then the timetable reverts back to four days a week. Lessons at College are classroom-based and will, where appropriate, include guest speakers from industry and site visits.

Year One - Core Component:

• 2 written examinations
• Employer Set Project (ESP)

In order to achieve a grade for the core component, you must have results for both sub-components (the core (written) examination and the ESP). The combined results from these sub-components will be aggregated to form the overall core component grade (A*–E and U). If you fail to reach the minimum standard across all sub-components, you will receive a U grade. No overall grade will be issued for the core component until both sub-components have been attempted.

Year Two - Occupational specialism component:

• Synoptic assignments

You are also required to successfully achieve a distinction/merit/pass grade in one of the occupational specialism components. If you fail to reach the specified level of attainment, you will receive a U grade.

The purpose of this T Level qualification is to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into highly skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher level study. Following completion of the T Level you may go on to:

• Skilled employment within the digital industry for example Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Networking, Games Development, E-Learning, Data Analysis, App Development, Web Development, Business Systems, and Digital Marketing
• Higher-level Apprenticeships at Level 4 and above which may progress you into careers such as a Data Scientist, Network Engineer or Cybersecurity Specialist
• Higher Education; as UCAS points have been awarded to T Levels, they facilitate progression to higher education on a wide range of digitally related degrees in areas such as; Cloud Computing, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Games Development, Augmented Reality, VR or Robotics (all these would be subject to other entry requirements set by each institution).