Where are they now? Data from first T-level cohort shows a range of progression paths for students

This report presents feedback of destinations for a sample of the first wave of T Level students, who completed their programme of study in 2022. This analysis was conducted by RCU on behalf of the Gatsby Foundation.

T-levels were first introduced in September 2020 in three subjects: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, Digital Production, Design and Development, and Education and Childcare. A new report by RCU Ltd, commissioned by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, has analysed data from the first group of students to complete the courses in June 2022.

Drawing on data routinely gathered by providers, the report offers insight into students’ various progression paths, including apprenticeships, higher education (both higher technical education and undergraduate study) and employment.

The sample included feedback from 22 providers covering just over half (52%) of students who achieved their results in 2022.

The report shows that of the 531 students:

• 46% (242) progressed into higher education
• 27% (145) progressed into employment
• 9% (48) progressed into an apprenticeship

Of the others, 2% (9) progressed into employment and higher education, 4% (23) to another destination, and for 12% (64) the destination was unknown at this point.

Publishing the report, Jenifer Burden, Director of Programmes, Gatsby Charitable Foundation said: “We recognise that this is a small cohort, and it would be unwise to draw specific conclusions at this stage. However, the report does demonstrate that students are progressing to a range of destinations supporting their next career steps.”

Alongside the report, Gatsby is working with employers and providers to produce case studies showing students’ progression to apprenticeships, employment, higher technical education, and undergraduate study. The first of these focuses on William Rose who completed his Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level with Bridgwater and Taunton College in 2022, and is now a civil engineering degree apprentice at Bylor. This short film shows William’s story from T-level student to degree apprentice.

Gatsby would like to thank all the providers who contributed to this research. RCU Ltd is now collecting data for students who completed their T-levels in 2023, and we will share the output from this analysis in due course.

To find out more about Gatsby’s T-level Destinations project, please email sarah.herdan@gatsby.org.uk