The short answer
A T Level is a two-year college course, about the size of 3 A levels, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours (about 45 days). An apprenticeship is a paid job where you spend about 80% of your time working and 20% training. T Levels suit you if you want to study a broad area first; apprenticeships suit you if you know the job you want.
Key figures
- Minimum length of a T Level industry placement, about 45 days
- 315 hours
- Source: Department for Education (opens in a new tab)
- Roughly how big a T Level is, taken over 2 years
- 3 A levels
- Source: Department for Education (opens in a new tab)
- UCAS points for a T Level at Distinction*, the same as A*A*A* at A level
- 168
- Source: Department for Education (opens in a new tab)
- Apprentice minimum wage per hour from April 2026. T Level students aren't paid for their course
- £8.00
- Source: GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
If you’re in England and want something more practical than A levels, the two big options are a T Level or an apprenticeship. They’re built on the same employer-designed standards, but day to day they differ.
The quick comparison
| T Level | Apprenticeship | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A two-year course at school or college | A paid job with training |
| Where you spend your time | Mostly the classroom, plus an industry placement | About 80% at work, 20% training |
| Time with an employer | At least 315 hours (about 45 days) | The whole thing |
| Pay | None for the course | At least £8.00 an hour (from April 2026) |
| Length | 2 years | 8 months to 6 years |
| Size | About the same as 3 A levels | Depends on the level |
How T Levels work
T Levels launched in September 2020. They’re taken after GCSEs and there are over 20 subjects to choose from, each covering a broad area like digital, construction or health. Most of your time is classroom-based: the government expects around 1,100 to 1,300 hours of teaching over two years. On top of that you do an industry placement of at least 315 hours with an employer, which can be a block, day release or a mix.
The government says employers including Lloyds Banking Group, Yorkshire Water and NHS trusts have hosted T Level students on placements.
How apprenticeships work
An apprenticeship is a real job. You’re an employee, you earn a wage and get holiday pay, and you spend at least 20% of your normal working hours training. They take from 8 months to 6 years depending on the type and level. Our guide to what an apprenticeship is explains more.
UCAS points
T Levels carry UCAS points, so they can lead to university:
| T Level grade | UCAS points | Same as A levels |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction* | 168 | AAA* |
| Distinction | 144 | AAA |
| Merit | 120 | BBB |
| Pass (C or above on the core) | 96 | CCC |
| Pass (D or E on the core) | 72 | DDD |
Which should you choose?
The government’s own description is a good starting point: T Levels are for people who know their broad career area and want one large qualification, while apprenticeships are for people who want to learn a specific job on the job.
A T Level isn’t a dead end for apprenticeships either. The government lists an apprenticeship as one of the main routes afterwards. Some employers’ degree apprenticeships accept a T Level: Kier, for example, accepts a T Level at merit for its construction management and quantity surveying degree apprenticeships.
If you want to earn straight away, compare employers on our employer search. If you want more time to explore an area first, a T Level could give you that.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.