Course Duration

A T-Level is a nationally recognised qualification for 16-19 year olds that takes two years to complete. One T Level is the equivalent programme of study to taking 3 A Levels and has been allocated UCAS tariff points.

Entry Requirements

5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English Language and Mathematics and Science.

Maths and English GCSE at grade 4 Plus a Silver award in T Level Science Foundation Programme

Assessment

You will be assessed using a set of externally written exams and an employer set project (this is a substantial project based assessment set in conjunction with employers and the awarding organisation. Both sets will assess student’s knowledge, understanding and application.

The occupational specialism is also externally assessed through synoptic assignments, except for the observation element which is internally marked and externally moderated. There is an additional requirement to pass 315 hours of work placement developing skills within industry.

Course Overview

T Levels have been designed with input from employers and sector leaders, in order to increase employer engagement in young people’s technical education, to raise the status and profile of technical education, and to ensure they are rigorous and of a high-standard, suitable as a start to a career in industry or progression to higher levels of study.

There is a core component and a occupational specialism in laboratory science

All students will develop a general understanding of health and science:

working within the health and science sector
health, safety and environmental regulations
managing information and data
principles of good scientific and clinical practice
core science concepts including the structure of cells, tissues and large molecules, genetics, microbiology and immunology

They will also learn about topics specific to science:

understanding the science sector
further science knowledge, including cell cycle and cellular respiration, enzyme and protein structure, pathogens, classification of biological materials, kinetic changes and relevant analytical techniques
scientific methodology
experimental equipment and techniques
ethics of science

Students covering the occupational specialism in technical laboratory science will have practical experience of the following activities:

Paper and TLC chromatography
Distillation
Acid-base redox titration
Refluxing
Filtration
Differential staining (microorganisms)
Aseptic culture of microorganisms
Preparation of serial dilution
Preparation of solution of defined molar concentration
Colorimetry
Pressure using a U-tube manometer
Temperature using a probe and data logger
Radioactive count rate using Geiger counter
Conductivity meter to measure conductivity of a solution
Electrical polarity using ammeter and voltmeter
Calibrating a pH meter, balance and a mechanical (variable volume) pipette

Career Progression

It is expected that if you obtain this qualification, you will achieve a grade from A-E, from your summative assessment and a pass, merit or distinction progress onto a full Level 3 T-Level programme in Science.

After you have gained the equivalent of 3 A-levels (& equivalent UCAS points) you can progress along a University Pathway, a Higher Apprenticeship or employment.