Students achieve technical skills excellence at The Manchester College
T Level and BTEC students have been celebrating top grades at The Manchester College. Their results continue to build on an established track record of strong student achievement in technical and creative education.
Since launching in 2021, T Levels at The Manchester College have consistently outperformed the national average every single year. Results across BTECs and other Level 3 technical and creative qualifications have climbed steadily as the college's provision has grown. If you are weighing up whether a technical qualification is the right path for you, these results offer a clear answer.
How results have developed since the first T Level cohort
The Manchester College's first ever T Level cohort completed their qualifications in 2023, achieving an outstanding 98.39% pass rate across subjects. These subjects included Education and Early Years, Health and Healthcare Science, Construction, and Digital. This pass rate was more than 7 percentage points above the national rate at the time. Over 74% of that pioneering cohort achieved a high grade.
By 2025, with a third cohort completing their studies, the College's T Level offer had grown to cover an even wider range of subjects, including Finance and Engineering alongside the original subject areas. That year, 92.7% of T Level students passed, a figure that remained 1.7 percentage points above the national pass rate for T Levels in 2024. Distinctions also rose sharply, with 27.8% of students achieving the top grade, a 10 percentage point increase on the previous year.
A slightly lower headline pass rate as a brand-new qualification scales from a small pioneering group to a much larger and more diverse cohort is common across the technical education sector. What has remained constant is that The Manchester College's T Level students have outperformed the national average in every year the qualification has run. This consistency contributed to the College being graded 'Good' by Ofsted following its most recent inspection.
Where the growth has been most dramatic is in BTECs and other Level 3 technical and creative qualifications. In 2023, 96.31% of students achieved success in these courses, with 72% achieving a Merit grade or above. By 2025, that pass rate had climbed to a remarkable 99.2%, with 84% of students achieving a Merit or above and 55.2% securing a Distinction or higher.
What students and staff are saying
Rachel Curry, Principal of The Manchester College, has been a consistent champion of the College's technical education results. Reflecting on the first T Level cohort's achievements in 2023, she said:
We are exceptionally proud of the amazing results that our students have achieved which are a testament to their talent, dedication and perseverance. They've worked incredibly hard, with the support of our amazing teachers and support teams, to reach the aspirational goals they set for themselves and develop the technical and creative skills that will make sure they stand out to employers when they start their careers.
It's especially pleasing to see the success of our T Level students. They took on a brand-new qualification with enthusiasm and tenacity, and now they've got their reward. We are a proud champion of T Levels and I'd like to thank our tutors and employer partners for their commitment to making them a success.
Roddick Mujib, who completed a T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development as part of that first cohort, achieved a Distinction. Reflecting on his 374 hours of industry placement with Lloyds Banking Group, Roddick said:
"I really enjoyed the mini staff interviews I did at the beginning of my placement as I got a chance to learn what the developers do, how they solve problems and most importantly how they collaborate with each other. This is not something I can learn in the classroom, so has been really helpful.
"I have developed a lot more than just my technical skills during this placement. Learning how to communicate with colleagues, receiving feedback, implementing improvements based on that feedback and presenting to colleagues has been invaluable for my confidence."
Roddick progressed into employment and a Higher Level Apprenticeship with Lloyds Banking Group.
By 2025, similar stories were emerging from the College's third T Level cohort. Henry Mafe, who achieved a Distinction in T Level Science, secured employment. He started working as a Scientific Assistant at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute following his industry placement with the organisation. Reflecting on his course, Henry said the best part was how tutors helped him find a placement, giving him genuine insight into the world of science and the careers available within it.
Speaking after the 2025 results, Rachel Curry added:
"This year's technical education results across the board wouldn't be possible without our fantastic employer partners, who co-develop and co-deliver our courses to ensure that students leave with the relevant knowledge and skills required to make an immediate impact in their pursuit of their dream careers. Our college makes a strong contribution to the skills agenda, equipping the next generation with the technical skills that industries across the city region want and need."
Why T Levels and BTECs continue to deliver strong outcomes
What both results periods have in common is the role of genuine employer partnership. Every T Level includes a minimum 45-day industry placement, meaning students graduate with real workplace experience, not just classroom theory. This consistently translates into strong outcomes once students move into employment, apprenticeships, or higher education.
The breadth of subjects on offer has also expanded significantly since 2021, growing from an initial handful of T Level subject areas. Our subject offering now includes Education and Early Years, Health and Healthcare Science, Construction, Digital, Finance, and Engineering, giving students far more choice in matching a technical qualification to their career ambitions. You can find out more about the full range of T Levels on offer at The Manchester College.
Explore technical qualifications at The Manchester College
Whether you are interested in following in Roddick's or Henry's footsteps with a T Level or want to explore a BTEC or other technical and creative qualification, The Manchester College offers a route into a wide range of industries backed by genuine employer partnerships and a consistent record of outperforming the national average.
Browse our full range of courses on our course finder and apply today.