T Level - Digital Software Development - Industry Excellence Academy

If you enjoy coding, programming and problem solving this T Level course could be for you. Programming and problem-solving are among the most in-demand skills in the digital industry alongside project management and analysing systems. Whether you enjoy creating programming solutions, working with databases or developing websites, this course can be your gateway into this exciting and rapidly growing field. In this qualification, you'll learn to code in various languages and gain insights into how organisations develop, build and test software within the industry.

The core part of the qualification will cover a range of areas, giving you a vital underpinning knowledge of concepts and the skills that you'll need in this industry.
The core elements of digital will cover the following:
• Problem solving
• Introduction to programming
• Emerging issues and impact of digital
• Legislation and regulatory requirements
• Business context
• Data
• Digital environments
• Security
Additionally, you will cover core digital skills such as problem solving, systems analysis and design, and project management.
The specialist elements will take on the form of an Employer Set Project and you will develop your skills in:
• Planning a project
• Identifying and fixing defects in existing code
• Designing a solution
• Developing a solution
• Reflective evaluation
You will also complete a 315 hour Industry Placement with one of our sponsors, which will give you valuable work experience and key behaviours to succeed in the industry.

At least five GCSEs at Grade 5 or above all from the core subjects including Maths and English. Computer Science or a computing related subject is desirable for this course.

The T Level is made up of three components: Core, Occupational Specialism and Industry Placement.
Core is made up of two written papers and a practical called the Employer Set Project (ESP). Core papers are sat at the end of first year and are 2.5 hours long. The ESP is broken down into several tasks and is assessed over two weeks in the first year.
Occupational Specialism is assessed via an Occupational Specialism Project (OSP). This is a large practical project lasting 67 hours broken down into several assessment tasks and sat over the second half of the second year. The occupational Specialism makes up 50% of your final grade and focuses on assessing your Skills and some Knowledge from the course culminating in you building a full stack web based solution for a brief.
Industry Placement
The work placement will be over 45 days. You will have the opportunity to work with one or two employers within in the IT industry over 45 days. Your work placement could be one or two days a week, or over a number of weeks. We have partnerships with many digital organisations and placements are offered based on the success of a series of interviews conducted by the college and the employer.

Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress onto a Higher Education course with our partner UCEN Manchester and complete a Foundation Degree in Software Development, Cyber Security (Defensive Threat Detection), Computing Networking, Automation and Management or with an optional top-up year to earn a BSc (Hons) degree.
Alternatively, you may progress on to an apprenticeship, degree apprenticeship or entry-level job in the Digital sector.
Career opportunities include:
•Software Development Technician
•Junior Developer
•Junior Web Developer
•Junior Application Developer
•Junior Mobile App Developer
•Junior Games Developer
•Junior Software Developer
•Junior Application Support Analyst
•Junior Programmer
•Assistant Programmer
•Automated Test Developer.

If you need help with affording college, there are a number of different finance and funding options available to you. You might be eligible for special bursary support or extra help from the government. Have a look at our fees, finance and funding page to find out all the information you need.

Do you have a burning question about this course, or would you like to know more about the qualification you'll receive and how it will help your career?
Our course enquiries team is on hand to help you understand any details and answer any questions – whether it's about applying for the course or finding out about finance. Just get in touch here!