T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Production, Design and Development

T Levels are new qualifications that follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels. T Levels will combine classroom theory and practical learning, and are made up of the following:

• Technical Qualification: the substantial component of your course.

• Industry placement: of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days) with an employer to make sure you have authentic experience of the workplace.

The Technical Qualification is the main classroom-based element of the T Level. During your two-year course, you will learn the core knowledge that underpins the sector, and you will also develop occupationally specific skills that will allow you to enter skilled employment within a specific occupation.

This T Level Technical Qualification has been developed in collaboration with employers, so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares you for work. It will provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door to skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher-level study.

The digital industry is a major source of employment in the UK, with 1.46 million people working in digital companies and around 45,000 digital jobs advertised at any one time. Digital skills span all industries; almost all jobs in the UK today require employees to have a proficient level of digital literacy. The UK has positioned itself to be the ‘digital capital of Europe’ as it continues to invest billions every year in digital skills and commerce.

The content is split into a core component that has been created for this T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Production, Design and Development, and a single occupational specialism, which is:

Digital Production, Design and Development

The core component provides a broad understanding of the digital industry and covers the following topics:

• Business Context

• Culture

• Data

• Digital Analysis

• Digital Environment

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Learning

• Legislation

• Security

• Testing

• Tools

The core component will be assessed by two exams and an employer set project. Your occupational specialism will allow you to develop the relevant skills in preparation for your career in the digital sector. The occupational specialism is assessed by a project that is created in conjunction with employers. The content covers the following topics:

Digital Production, Design and Development

• 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.

As part of this Technical Qualification, you will also enhance your broader skills in literacy and numeracy, which will be valuable in supporting progression in other areas. In addition, you will develop transferable technical and practical skills in communication (working with colleagues and clients), research and project work, providing you with an opportunity to demonstrate your reflective practice by suggesting alternative approaches to a problem.

You must have a relevant IT-related qualification at Distinction of grade 6+ at Level 2 and a grade 4+ in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

Achieving this Technical Qualification will provide several progression options. These include:

Skilled employment:

• Digital sector roles such as Programmer, Web Designer, IT Business Analyst, Systems.

• Designer, or Software Development Technician.

A Level 3 Apprenticeship in:

• Software Development Technician.

Higher level study:

• Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). Like T Levels, HTQs are developed in consultation with employers. They are qualifications at levels 4 and 5 and prepare you for occupations at these levels.

Pearson HTQs you can progress to from the T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development are:

• BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing for England.

• BTEC Higher Nationals in Digital Technologies.

Degrees:

Degree programmes could include:

• Computer science.

• Information systems.

• Software engineering.

• Games Design.