T Level in Health 2025-26

T Levels mark a revolution in technical education. T Levels will be the gold standard technical option for young people at 16-19, increasing the status of technical and vocational study. They will give young people the knowledge and practical experience they need to pursue a skilled profession - and because they have been designed in partnership with business, will give employers the skills they need.

The new qualification bringing classroom and work placement together. Giving you the knowledge and skills employers need. T Levels are the equivalent to 3 A Levels, with 80% classroom work and 20% industrial placement (least 45 days).

The T Level Health course is a new and exciting opportunity designed in partnership with employers in the sector. It promotes the knowledge and skills needed to progress into employment or higher-level technical training or education.

The course gives the opportunity to develop skills through substantial industry placements with an external employer, as well as gaining knowledge of core themes related to health. We have a dedicated industry placement officer who has excellent links with a substantial range of employers within the health sector, including a range of NHS service providers.

Our skilled and knowledgeable lecturers have diverse backgrounds in the sector and will support you to develop the behaviours, attributes, and tools to be an effective practitioner in the sector. Through classroom-based sessions they will support you to explore the elements of the course through fun, dynamic and innovative learning experiences. Our state-of-the-art health ward will give you invaluable learning opportunities through simulated activities that enable you to develop skills to be ready for industry placement and to be highly effective in your role as a trainee health practitioner.

Whilst studying the qualification you will cover the following topics as part of the core components:

Working within the health and science sector:
• The healthcare sector
• Health, safety and environmental regulations in the health and science sector
• Health and safety regulations applicable in the healthcare sector
• Managing information and data within the health and science sector
• Managing personal information
• Good scientific and clinical practice
• Providing person-centred care
• Health and wellbeing Infection prevention and control in health specific setting
• Safeguarding
• Core science concepts
• Further science concepts

Occupational specialism component:
Occupational specialism core:
• Supporting Healthcare

Plus, one from below:
• Option A: Supporting the Adult Nursing Team
• Option B: Supporting the Midwifery Team
• Option C: Supporting the Mental Health Team
• Option D: Supporting the Care of Children and Young People
• Option E: Supporting the Therapy Teams

Job opportunities after the course include:
• Ambulance Care Assistant
• Dental Nurse
• Care Worker
• Healthcare Assistant
• Palliative Care Assistant
• Emergency Care Assistant

Students who achieve this qualification could progress to the following, depending on their chosen occupational specialism:
• Employment
• Higher Education
• Apprenticeship (Higher)

5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above including Mathematics, English and Science.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Core component:
• Paper A written examination
• Paper B written examination
• Employer-set project

Occupational specialism component:
• Synoptic assignments
The student is also required to successfully achieve a distinction/merit/pass grade in one of the occupational specialism components.

September 2025

Two years, full-time.