Design & Development for Engineering T-level

In year one all students study a common core of modules covering topics that fall within one of three themes:

Working in Engineering and Manufacturing is all about the safe and sustainable operations of businesses in the sector, and the roles and responsibilities of the people working within them. Students also investigate technological advances in engineering from both an historical perspective, and one that considers emerging and future innovation.

Maths, Science & Technology explores a broad range of mathematic and scientific principles at the heart of engineering. From the outset students develop their competency in algebra and revisit concepts like the structure of the atom. Later in the course you’ll be using calculus and will understand why the Statue of Liberty nearly collapsed. We also look at

Engineering Design & Manufacture studies the design process and how things are made. You’ll develop skills in producing hand-drawn sketches as well as 3D CAD models and 2D CAD drawings. You’ll use your drawings in the workshop and lab to bring designs to life using a range of manufacture techniques and equipment.

In year two you will follow your specialism more closely in preparation for your final assessment. Whether you specialise in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering this will focus on the theme of Engineering Design & Manufacture and you will explore how everything you’ve learned in year one should be considered in specific and more complex design projects. If Mechanical Engineering is your specialism this could be the development of a portable compact crane, or a device for moving hazardous materials in a protective chamber. If you chose Electrical and Electronic Engineering you might have to design a monitoring and alarm system for temperature-critical restricted areas, or a system to control entry and exit in an inert atmosphere cleanroom.

Engineering is a maths-based subject. There is quite a lot of maths involved and the standard is high, much of it comparable to A level maths. It's incredibly important that we develop strong numeracy skills in our students so they can be successful. If you have not achieved grade 6 (or higher) in your Maths GCSE, we ask you to commit to a little more study time focused on maths skills and retake your GCSE at higher tier. We will teach you everything you need to know and give you plenty of opportunity to practice and become brilliant at it.

In the first twenty or so weeks of year one you’ll have about three hours each week in the workshop and/or lab. We start with the basics of accurate measurement and marking out, and move on to use lathes, mills, laser cutters, and 3D printers. You’ll get more time in the workshop/lab in June before the summer holiday. In year two you’ll be in the workshop regularly from December through to your Occupational Specialism assessment in May.

An engineering T level is a powerful step towards a wide range of exciting futures. Whether your goal is university, an apprenticeship, or a job, it gives you the knowledge, experience, and confidence to take the next step on your journey.

Your T level carries the same UCAS points as three A levels, which means it’s recognised by universities across the UK. You could go on to study for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or be accepted onto more specialised degree programmes like marine or motorsport engineering. Not all universities take the same approach though, and their entry requirements vary significantly. If you have any concerns about the suitability of the T level in this respect, please ask us for advice.

Alternatively, you could progress into an apprenticeship, where you continue learning but earn a wage. Apprenticeships can lead to roles such as machinist, manufacturing technician, design engineer, or product development specialist. They are available at a range of levels up to degree apprenticeship. Many lead to full-time employment upon completion.

For those who don’t want to continue in education, the T Level equips you with the technical skills and industry experience to move straight into the workforce. Some students are offered full-time employment commencing immediately after completing their course. You may even start your own business in the engineering or manufacturing sectors.

Responsibility for securing placements is shared between the college and student. We work with many engineering businesses over a wide area to provide as many placement opportunities as we can. These are equally available to all students to apply for but are limited in number and you will likely be applying alongside one or more of your peers.

We strongly encourage you, and give you loads of support, to find your own placement. This helps ensure that it is in a location you can get to and involves doing something you’re really interested in. If often also means that there is less competition. The process starts with some focused research, then an initial approach via email and phone call, and sometimes a little polite and patient persistence. We then facilitate a placement you initiate, following appropriate safeguarding and safety checks.

We expect students to proactively engage in securing their placements with an open mind, positive attitude, and resilient determination. Every student finds a placement that is suitable for them.

You will be expected to come to college equipped with the following:

• Pen(s) – At least one with plentiful black ink. Extra red, green, and blue ink pens are very useful.
• Highlighter(s) – At least one. More than one in different colours can be very useful
• Pencil(s) – At least one HB of suitable length. Extra 2H and 2B pencils are very useful.
• Pencil Sharpener – Nothing fancy required, just make sure it works.
• Pencil Eraser – The Staedtler Mars Plastic is king, but nearly all others are perfectly adequate.
• Colouring Pencils/Pens – At least 8 different colours (excluding black, grey and white). A combination of pencils and pens is most useful.
• Ruler – A normal 300 mm long one. Foldy rulers and 150 mm rulers are not very useful.
• Protractor – The 360° kind is very useful; the normal 180° kind is perfectly adequate.
• Set Square – The 60:30 type is most useful; there’s not much need for anything else.
• Compass – The spring-bow type is most useful, but an accompanying beam bar is probably unnecessary. A well-maintained schools type is perfectly adequate.
• Calculator – Scientific type, ideally a CASIO fx-85GT CW. Off-brand calculators are often not very useful, and in some cases incorrect.
• Pencil Case – Big enough to put your equipment in. Clear ones are most useful.
• Folder – A hard cover A4 lever arch file with 5 or more dividers is most appropriate. Hard cover A4 ring binders will suffice but you will need more than one. Document wallets are not very useful.
• Paper – A lined, margined and punched A4 refill pad is most appropriate. Spiral bound A4 notebooks are not advised but some students work well with them. Anything else is not very useful.

With very careful thought. We need you to choose your specialism, either Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering, before the start of the October half-term break. This gives us about seven teaching weeks to provide you with some insight into, and experience of, both disciplines. You would have already spent considerable time finding out about the course and thinking around what you might do afterwards before applying and enrolling. This needs to continue through September. Be inquisitive, ask questions, read stuff, try things, and talk to us about it. It’s vital that you are able to make a well-informed choice and pick the specialism that’s best for you.