In January 2023, the Edge Foundation in collaboration with Professor Kevin Orr commenced a qualitative research project, taking a deep dive into the experiences and viewpoints of learners across various T Level courses. We explored their day-to-day college experiences with their course, work placements, aspirations, and their perspectives on achieving career goals post-T Level completion.
Between October 2023 and May 2024, we visited 11 colleges across England, speaking to a total of 210 students and 24 teachers and wider staff (e.g. SLT, industry liaison officers or curriculum managers). We conducted:
- 28 focus groups with Foundation Level, Year 1 and Year 2 students who began their courses in 2022 and 2023; and
- 13 semi-structured interviews with teachers and staff, supporting T Level students.
This interim report aims to shed light on some of the emerging themes from these interactions. These include:
- Students were being steered into T Levels, rather than making their own, informed choice.
- T Levels are not well established - and this is affecting young people’s opportunities after completion.
- Industry placements are students’ favourite part of the T Level yet, in practice they have revealed many issues.
- There is ambiguity in the teaching style and structure of T Levels.
The final report, coming out in Autumn 2024, will examine these themes in greater detail.
