Digital Software Development T-level

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Do you enjoy coding and solving problems? If so this T-level course is for you. Programming and problem-solving are some of the most sought after skills in the ever-growing digital industry. Whether you enjoy solving problems or coding for apps and games, this course can open the gate for you into this fantastic rapidly expanding industry. In this qualification, you will learn to code in a range of different languages and understand how organisations develop software within the industry.

What will I study in Digital Software Development T-level?

The core part of the qualification will give you a baseline understanding of the industry. It covers a range of areas, giving you a vital underpinning knowledge of concepts and the skills that you’ll need in this sector.

The core elements of digital will cover a host of themes including the following:

  • Problem solving
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Emerging issues and the impact of digital
  • Legislation and regulatory requirements
  • Business context
  • Data
  • Digital environments
  • Security

Additionally, you will cover core digital skills such as problem solving, application design, and project management.

The specialist elements of digital will be covered through developing your skills:

  • 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 which gives you valuable work experience and key behaviours to succeed in the industry.

Entry Requirements

At least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above all from the core subjects including English, with at least a Grade 5 in Maths. If you have completed GCSE computing we would expect at least a Grade 4 to show interest in the industry.

How will I learn?

The course splits into key knowledgeskills, and behaviours - We introduce a set of topics using an interactive project for students to explore best practices and syntax in a real activity. Each lesson contains a lectured element to introduce a new concept followed by either a solo or group activity to explore this knowledge. This can take the form of a report, practical task, or group discussion.

How will I be assessed?

Your T-Level is made up of three components: Core, Specialism and Placement.

The 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 the first year and are 2-2.5 hours long. The ESP is broken down into several tasks and is assessed over two weeks and is sat in the November of second year. Core makes up 50% of your final grade and focuses on assessing your Knowledge and some Skills from the course such as: The impact of digitification on culture and inclusion; exploring digital in a business context; understanding and applying security principles; and applying root cause analysis and troubleshooting.

Specialism is assessed via an Occupational Specialism Project (OSP). This is a large practical project lasting roughly 30 hours broken down into several assessment tasks and sat over the second half of the second year. Specialism makes up 50% of your final grade and focuses on assessing your Skills and some Knowledge from the course such as: Planning for and designing a solution to a problem, fixing code and implementing additional requirements to improve the function, testing and appraising practices.

Placement is a mandatory part of the qualification, covering over 315 hours at a digital work placement. You need to show "good" levels of behaviour throughout your placement through a series of workplace reviews conducted by the college and your employer. Your course allows one day a week (set at the start of each year) and two two-week blocks per year to help support you with time to do this. Placement doesn't affect your grade, but is required to achieve the qualification as a whole, and is used to develop your Skills and Behaviours in the workplace.

Any trips?

Digital T-Levels have a teambuilding day in the first term to help students form good working bonds. We also offer one educational visit to an establishment each year and hold a celebratory practical investigation into the Internet of Things at the end of the first year (we go to laser tag). Each of these trips is roughly £35 and there will be up to three offered each year.

Are there any costs involved?

There is a small course booklet that students should keep hold of with a small cost attached from our printing department. Course textbooks are available from the Library or for purchase on Amazon and are highly recommended to succeed in this course. A computer/laptop isn't a requirement but access to one at home would be useful for revision and different tasks, study spaces are available for use at the college.

FAQs

After completing this qualification what career opportunities are there for me?

•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.


Can you tell me about the industrial placement?

The work placement will be over 45 days. You will have the opportunity to work with one or two employers within the IT industry. Your work placement could be a day release or a number of weeks. We work with many organisations within the IT industry and will help you find a suitable placement. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain skills using the latest technology.


What are the entry requirements?

We ask for 5 grades 4’s including maths and English but would recommend that you have studied GCSE Computer Science if you are considering enrolling on the Digital Design and Production T-level.


I am not sure what I want to do are these the right courses for me?

It’s really important you do your research and have an interest in a career in the digital sector. Whilst we appreciate not everyone at a young age knows exactly what they want to do next we would not recommend these courses if you have no idea what you want to do.  These courses have been designed to prepare you to work in a specific sector of the digital industry.


Can I go to University with a Digital T-level?

Over 80 Universities currently accept T-levels. The T-level Digital qualification is equivalent to UCAS points however please keep in mind that T-levels have very much been designed to prepare learners to work in a specific sector of IT.


Can I study an A-level alongside a Digital T-level?

A T-level is a full-time programme equivalent to 3 A-levels – it is not possible to study any other course alongside a T-level


Available As

T Level
[168 UCAS pts. available]

Add to Application

What can I do after I have taken this course?

Available As

T Level
[168 UCAS pts. available]

Add to Application

DO NOT DELETE OR EDIT THIS ROW OR ITS CONTENTS

What the students say

Ben Digital Coding

Ben studied Digital: Design, Production and Development as part of our second cohort of T-level students between 2021-2023. He did his industry placement at Savient, a software development and consultation company based in Cheltenham. He had a number of responsibilities, such as working on outreach projects, creating websites, and developing software that the company would take into schools to teach students about careers in IT. “I think my work placement has prepared me very well for a career in the industry”, said Ben, “I have learnt how to apply what I’ve learnt in class at work, and build on key skills such as communication.” Ben achieved a Merit in his T-level and has since started a Level 4 Software Development apprenticeship at Savient.

Ben

Eamon is a Year 2 student currently studying Digital: Design, Production and Development. He chose the T-level because he enjoys programming, and wanted to do a course that would prepare him for work, but also for university. Eamon has completed industry placements at St James’ Place and Renishaw, where he worked on programming, excel and phishing campaigns. Speaking on his time on placement, Eamon said “At first, I found asking for work tricky, but I soon knew who I had to ask and found the confidence to do so. Placement also helped me develop my time management, communication, and organisation skills.” Eamon is now looking forward to his next steps after College!

Eamon
Eamon Digital Coding
Margo Digital Software T-level

I like focusing on one course, studying it and practicing right away. In my opinion it is the best way to learn and memorise. I love the course because I have a passion for the industry.

Margaryta