2023 Technical Education Study

Key Findings

• Almost all of the second T Level cohort (94%) completed the required industry placement by the end of their programme, similar to the first cohort. Compared with level 3 technical learners, T Level learners were more likely to have an industry placement (94% vs. 49%) and their placements tended to be longer.
• A small majority of T Level learners were satisfied with their programme (57%). Satisfaction varied significantly by T Level route: from 79% of Education and Early Years learners to 39% of Health and Science learners. This lower level of satisfaction may be due to Ofqual finding the Health and Science assessments not fit for purpose, which resulted in regrading.
• T Level overall satisfaction (57%) was lower than for the first T Level cohort (71%), and the comparator cohorts of level 3 technical learners (76%) and A level learners (72%).
• Most T Level learners (70%) planned to undertake further study, most commonly through a degree (41%) or an apprenticeship (24%).
• Almost three quarters (71%) of the third cohort of TLFY learners were satisfied with their course, compared with 77% of the first cohort and 69% of the second cohort.
• At the start of the TLFY, 42% of learners intended to progress onto a T Level, however, by the end of the course, this had reduced to 33%. A similar reduction was seen in the second TLFY cohort (36% to 28%). The most common reason for not continuing onto a T Level was preferring to study another course.
• About three quarters of level 4 and 5 learners were satisfied with their course (77%), similar to the previous cohort (75%). The most common next step for level 4/5 learners was studying for a degree (42%), followed by paid work (19%) or another level 4/5 qualification (15%).