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Key details

Course areas
Computing, IT and EsportsT Levels
Student type
16 - 18 courses
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
Course code
Parent course code:C057615 Child course code: Q057616
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Course introduction

A T Level is a composite technical study programme, aimed at preparing young people for work, higher level apprenticeships or higher education (HE).

Route core elements:

  • Problem Solving
  • Introduction to Digital Support
  • Data
  • Legislation and regulatory requirements
  • Business Context
  • Emerging Issues
  • Digital Environments
  • Security
  • Employee Set Project

The pathway core:

  • Careers within the digital support services sector
  • Communication in digital support services
  • Fault analysis and problem resolution

Core skills:

  • Understand digital system fundamentals and infrastructure roles
  • Apply structured approaches to problem solving
  • Work confidently with data collection, processing, and analysis tools
  • Understand key digital legislation and codes of conduct
  • Identify how digital systems support business operations and strategy
  • Explore the impact of emerging technologies on users, industry, and society
  • Recognise and mitigate cyber threats through layered security approaches
  • Understand and manage digital environments, including on-premises and cloud infrastructure

Occupational specialism: Digital Support and Security:

  • Apply procedures and controls to maintain the digital security of an organisation and its data
  • Install, configure and support software applications and operating systems
  • Discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge

The purpose of the T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Support Services is to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into skilled employment or higher-level technical training relevant to the T Level.

The objectives of this qualification are to equip you with:

  • the core knowledge and skills relevant to digital support services
  • up-to-date occupational knowledge and skills that have continued currency amongst employers and others
  • the necessary English, mathematics, and digital skills
  • threshold competence that meets employer expectations and is as close to full occupational competence as possible
  • opportunities to manage and improve their own performance

Industry placement experience:

Industry placements are intended to provide you with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for skilled employment in your chosen occupation and which are less easily attainable by completing a qualification alone. As part of achieving the overall T Level programme, you will be required to complete a minimum of 315 hours industry placement. It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure the minimum number of hours is undertaken by the student. There may be specific requirements for providers and employers to consider prior to the student commencing a work placement.

Course information

2 years

T Level - Technical Qualification in Digital Support Services - NCFE - Level 3

You’ll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English, Maths, or a relevant Level 2 IT qualification with GCSE English and Maths at grades 9–4.

You also will need to attend an interview, to ensure you have the sufficient IT knowledge and skills required to enrol on this course.

Core component:

  • 2 written examinations
  • employer-set project (ESP)

In order to achieve a grade for the core component, you must have results for both sub-components (the core (written) examination and the ESP).

The combined results from these sub-components will be aggregated to form the overall core component grade (A*–E and U).

If you fail to reach the minimum standard across all sub-components, you will receive a U grade. No overall grade will be issued for the core component until both sub-components have been attempted.

Occupational specialism component:

  • synoptic assignment

You will also be required to successfully achieve a distinction/merit/pass grade in the occupational specialism component. If to reach the you fail to reach level of attainment, you will receive a U grade.

Students who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:

Employment as: 

  • Digital support technician
  • Digital applications technician
  • Digital service technician
  • Infrastructure technician
  • IT solutions technician
  • Hardware solutions
  • Software solutions 

Advanced apprenticeships in digital including: 

  • Digital Support Technician
  • Cyber Security Technologist
  • IT Solutions Technician
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional 

Typical university courses: 

The T Level is equivalent to 3 A Levels and carries UCAS points. 

Many universities accept T Level learners into relevant digital degrees, such as: 

  • BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Networks
  • BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions
  • BSc (Hons) IT Management or Systems Support 

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

IT User Support Technicians

Potential Earnings

£52,335.50

Average Earnings

£31,868.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Information and Communication Technology

People in these occupations manage and analyze technical information and communication systems, provide user support, and plan, build, and test applications and systems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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