DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING T-LEVEL

Level 3 T-level Technical Qualification in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing

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Course Level

Level 3

Duration

2 years FT

Placement

45 days

Entry

September

Fees

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Department of Engineering and Built Environment

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Get an industry-recognised qualification equivalent to three A-levels

Clear route to progress into a skilled career or university study

Do you want to be part of the next generation of engineers? The sector is currently facing a major shortage of skilled workers in the UK, with hundreds of thousands needed to join the workforce within the next five years. If you are interested in the areas of engineering, design, manufacturing or electronics, our T-level Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing course will equip you with the essentials for a fantastic future career.

University College Birmingham is one of the first colleges in the UK to offer the new T-level qualification, which combines learning in the classroom with gaining vital ‘on-the-job’ experience. This two-year course will introduce you to fundamental engineering principles before enabling you to specialise in either mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering. In each case you will explore design processes, essential tools and materials, drawings, developing models and testing prototypes, as well as gaining a firm grounding in the essential maths and science relevant to the industry.

Equivalent to three A-levels, this course will help you boost your employment prospects by gaining extensive experience on a work placement in a real-world environment, supported by experts in our Hired employability team. By completing this industry recognised qualification, you could move towards careers in engineering and manufacturing repair, maintenance and installation, or you could progress onto an apprenticeship or higher education course.

Why choose this college course?

BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Build key skills and knowledge related to engineering and manufacturing, as well as enhancing your English, maths and digital skills
SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Choose between studying mechanical engineering or electrical/electronic engineering in your second year
WORK PLACEMENT – Get to know the world of work and gain essential industry experience through a work placement
RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION – Our T-level course has been designed in collaboration with industry to ensure your skills meet employers’ needs and expectations

There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.

Our facilities

Students on our construction and engineering courses will learn in brand new, real-world training environments at University College Birmingham. Our Centre for Sustainable Construction at the iconic James Cond building will offer state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers and their supply chains, along with further new facilities at Camden House. These will include:

Training rigs
Production line technology
Industry 4.0 rigs
Process manufacturing training equipment
Hydraulics
Pneumatics
Renewable energy simulators

Control engineering rigs
Cyber physical system
Mechatronics automation
PLCs
Fluid dynamics software
MATLAB design software
Enhanced IT facilities

Formerly the James Cond print works, this retrofitted building is now our Centre for Sustainable Construction.

Two student connecting wires on an electric board.

State-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers.

Study in one of many modern classroom spaces across our James Cond and Camden House campuses.

Male lecturer teaching a smaller group of students who are on laptops.

Enhanced IT facilities to support you alongside your practical training.

Course breakdown

Topics you will study:

Year 1

Core Component

Working within the engineering and manufacturing sectors
Engineering and manufacturing past, present and future
Engineering representations
Essential mathematics for engineering and manufacturing
Essential science for engineering and manufacturing
Materials and their properties
Mechanical principles
Electrical and electronic principles
Mechatronics
Engineering and manufacturing control systems
Quality management
Health and safety principles and coverage
Business, commercial and financial awareness
Professional responsibilities, attitudes and behaviours
Stock and asset management
Continuous improvement
Project and programme management

Year 2

Occupational Specialism: Choose from Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Control and Instrumentation

Occupational Specialism: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Design methodologies and processes
Tools, equipment and materials used in electrical and electronic engineering
Representations, symbols, conventions and annotations used in electrical and electronic engineering
Producing electrical and electronic drawings and representations
Designing and developing working models
Testing models and prototypes

Occupational Specialism: Mechanical Engineering

Knowledge of design methodologies and processes
Knowledge of the tools, equipment and materials used in mechanical engineering
Knowledge of mathematical theories and methods used in mechanical engineering
Skills in producing mechanical drawings and representations
Skills in designing and developing working models
Skills in testing models and prototypes

Occupational Specialism: Control and Instrumentation

Knowledge of design methodologies and processes
Knowledge of the tools, equipment and materials used in control and instrumentation
Knowledge of mathematical theories and methods used in control and instrumentation
Skills in producing schematics for control and representations
Skills in designing and developing working models and systems
Skills in testing models and prototypes

Please note: Units/topics of study are subject to change

You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.

Entry requirements

Our engineering lecturers are looking for students who are enthusiastic and passionate about a career in manufacturing and engineering, together with a keen determination to succeed in the industry, so please contact Admissions if you do not have the specific requirements outlined below.

If you are unsure if your qualification is equivalent or if you wish to check if you meet the entry requirements for this course, please call 0121 214 2919, email feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk or use our live chat.

Academic requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) including English (Language or Literature), or equivalent.
GCSE Maths at grade 5.

English and maths

As applicants are required to achieve English and maths at grade 4 (grade C) or above prior to entering this course, University College Birmingham will not offer English or maths alongside this course.

Supporting documents required

School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.

Applicant criteria

As this is a 2-year study programme, you will need to be aged 16 to 18 to apply for this course.

Currently, T-level courses are only funded for learners who are under the age of 19 at the point of enrolment. However, the government is currently reviewing a T-level pathway for mature learners, which we hope will be available in the future. If you would like to apply for a related course, please consider our BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering.

Placement

T-level courses require you to complete a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) on placement over the two years. You will be required to work with our Hired team to secure your placement.

Guaranteed progression

We are continuing to develop and enhance our portfolio of engineering and construction courses with the aim of delivering undergraduate courses in the next two years. This will provide an opportunity for students who successfully complete a Level 3 qualification in these subjects to progress here at University College Birmingham. Students will be guaranteed progression to one of our relevant degree-level courses.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

You will have three days per week in college and an industry placement of at least 45 days. Around 4-6 hours of homework per week is also advised.

Staff will monitor your progress and have one-to-one meetings with you with targets set. You will also have progress reviews during your work experience, both from our staff and your employer.

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2025-2030.

This course is delivered in partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT).

Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships

University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.

70%

of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them

Work placements

Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our Hired team can help find the ideal placement for you.

Our engineering T-level course requires you to complete a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) on placement over the two years. Our employability tutors will visit you out on placement to ensure you gain the right practical skills.

Career opportunities

The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Mechanical engineer

Average Salary: £32,000

Electrical/electronics engineer

Average Salary: £32,000

Process manufacturing engineer

Average Salary: £35,000

Product designer

Average Salary: £45,000

Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Engineering HND course.

Hired

We are here to support your career goals every step of the way.

Find out more

Discover more about T-levels

Designed in direct collaboration with employers and businesses, T-levels are a great new route into skilled employment, further study or higher apprenticeships.

Find out more

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