T levels: distinction will have same Ucas points as 3As

The DfE confirms how T levels will graded – and how many Ucas points each grade will achieve
20th August 2019, 11:39am

Share

T levels: distinction will have same Ucas points as 3As

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/t-levels-distinction-will-have-same-ucas-points-3as
Coronavirus: T-level Providers Still Planning For September 2020 Delivery

Ucas has confirmed that a distinction at T level will be equivalent to three As at A level. 

T levels are designed to lead to direct employment in industry – but in order to also support a route to higher education, the grades have been assigned Ucas points.

A distinction, for example, will earn pupils 144 Ucas tariff points, and a distinction* 168 Ucas points. 


What subjects can you take at T level ?

How are T levels funded?

T levels: the 5 big issues yet to be addressed


A T-level pass will either give students 72 or 96 Ucas points. Two students could both achieve a pass in their overall T level, but one could be given 72 Ucas points and the other 96. The difference comes in the core component: if a student has a B or C in the core, they will be assigned 96 Ucas points (which is equivalent to 3Cs at A level). If a student achieves a D or E in the core, they’ll be awarded 72 Ucas points (equivalent to 3Ds at A level). 

T level UCAS points
The Department for Education has also confirmed that on their T level certificate, students will receive: 

  • An overall grade, shown as pass, merit, distinction or distinction*.

  • A separate grade for the core component, shown as A* to E.

  • A separate grade for each occupational specialism studied, shown as pass, merit or distinction.

  • Confirmation that the minimum requirements for maths and English qualifications have been met.

  • Confirmation that the industry placement has been successfully completed. 

  • Confirmation that any additional mandatory requirements have been met. 

The overall T-level grades will be based on the grades achieved in the core component and occupational specialism. Students can study more than one occupational specialism – and, if they do, an aggregate across all those specialisms will be used.

Only students who have achieved an A* in the core component and a distinction in their occupational specialism will be awarded a T level distinction*.  

But what happens if students don’t pass? They’ll receive a T level statement of achievement. On this, the elements that the student has completed will be listed, but it won’t include an overall T-level grade. A statement of achievement will not be awarded any Ucas points. 

A DfE spokesperson said: “T levels will be the gold standard technical course of choice for young people post-16 and will carry Ucas points equivalent to three of our world-class A levels. This means young people, parents and employers can be confident T levels will be just as stretching as their academic equivalents, and will offer students the option of progressing to the next level, whether that is a job, higher technical training, a degree or an apprenticeship.

“Last week the education secretary also announced that T-level results will be published on the same day as A levels from 2022, so that all students receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work.”

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared