T Level Digital Production, Design and Development

This T Level is a Level 3 qualification, studied over 2 years.

T Levels Digital are a 2-year qualification that you can study after GCSEs as an alternative to A levels, other post-16 courses, or an apprenticeship.

They have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need.

The Leigh UTC is a specialist in Computer Science, and we are looking forward to working together with students to develop their skills and ensure they’re ready for the job market.

Topics studied

Python programming
Cloud computing (with hands-on experience in AWS Console, IAM EC2, etc)
Cyber security
Software development cycle
UX/UI designs
Software methodologies
Website development (front end: HTML & CSS, backend: PHP & Python)
Emerging technologies (including the use of VR headsets)
Computer networks (hands-on experience with physical servers)

Course delivery

Students get an academic course with hands-on experience, and the use of a range of different hardware and software.

You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer, to give you the skills and knowledge companies look for.

We have the most modern and up-to-date hardware and software, to allow students to get the best out of their T Levels Digital Experience and learn as much as they can! The Leigh UTC has a large Computer Science department, managed by experienced teachers who have passion of teaching the subject and making a positive impact.

Placement Overview

This course requires a minimum of 45 days of work experience, including:

up to 5 days of work readiness – including virtual work experience
2 placements, of a minimum of 20 days each, after the Core 1 and 2 exams in the first year
20 days of work experience taken at a bespoke stage during the second year

Placements are assessed via:

3 meetings across the placement, with the company and teacher
a minimum of 2 on-site visits
a project set via consultation between the company and school

We already have many strong partnerships between The Leigh UTC and local digital companies, so we have a vast experience of our students entering into employment via these companies. Having this current relationship with so many of the potential placements allows us to create a more bespoke and worthwhile placement than an unknown relationship may offer. Currently, we have students working for the Digital Department in the HMRC office, and for Department of Work and Pensions, among others.

Assessment

T Levels are assessed over two years. In the first year, you complete Core Papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2 including an Employer Set Project), and in the second year, you work on a project to create a digital solution within a set window.

Paper 1

Computational thinking
Introduction to programming
Emerging issues and impact of digital
Legislation and regulatory requirements

Paper 2

Business context
Data
Digital environments
Security

Employer-Set Project

Task 1 – Planning a project
Task 2 – Identifying and fixing defects in an existing code
Task 3 – Identifying and fixing defects in an existing code
Task 4 – Developing a solution

Occupational Specialist Content / Project

Be able to analyse a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria aligned to user needs
Apply ethical principles and manage risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software
Discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge
Design

Create solutions in a social and collaborative environment
Implement a solution using at least two appropriate languages
Testing a software solution
Change, maintain and support software

UCAS Grade Equivalents

Distinction* (A* in core / distinction in occupational specialism) – 168 UCAS / AAA* A Level
Distinction – 144 UCAS / AAA A Level
Merit – 120 UCAS / BBB A Level
Pass (C or above in core) – 96 UCAS / CCC A Level
Pass (D / E in core) – 72 UCAS / DDD A Level