Digital Software Development and Digital Production, Design and Development

Course Information

Introduction

T-Levels are a new, high-quality technical qualification in England, designed in collaboration with employers to give young people a head start in their chosen career. Equivalent to three A-Levels, a T-Level is a two-year course that combines classroom-based learning with a substantial industry placement. They were created to provide a skilled workforce for the economy, offering a direct pathway into skilled employment, higher apprenticeships or further study, including university. Unlike traditional academic routes, T-Levels focus on developing the practical skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for a specific industry, making students "work-ready" upon graduation.

Contact

shannon.vanzyl@leedscitycollege.ac.uk or adam.stringer@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Overview

The T Level in Digital: Software Development is a comprehensive technical programme designed to train the next generation of software professionals. This course is about mastering the entire process of creating digital solutions, from initial concept and design to coding, testing and deployment. It provides a versatile foundation for a wide array of careers in the digital sector.

You will learn to build secure, robust and user-focused software, with skills that are applicable across numerous fields. This includes developing business applications, creating dynamic websites and mobile apps, working with data systems, and even applying your skills to the domain of computer game development for those interested in that pathway. The course is built around a core understanding of the digital landscape, complemented by a specialist focus on software development principles and a mandatory industry placement, assuring you graduate with both the qualification and the real-world experience that employers value.

Who is this course for?

Ambitious 16-18 year olds or adults who want to pursue full-time education; as well as anyone who wants to develop key creative digital, computing and technical skills identified by many employers.

Course units/modules

The course is structured into core components and a specialist occupation, ensuring you gain both broad and deep knowledge.

Year 1: Core Knowledge & Skills

You will build a solid foundation in the principles that underpin all digital roles, including:

• Algorithmic Thinking & Python Mastery: Master core computational logic, software design, and high-level programming using Python to build reliable, error-free applications.
• Emerging Technologies & AI: Explore cutting-edge digital shifts including generative AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing.
• Cybersecurity & Data Ethics: Learn threat mitigation, ethical hacking concepts, data privacy laws (GDPR), and system defence strategies.
• Data Systems & Analytics: Gain hands-on experience structuring, wrangling, and visualising complex data using tools like SQL, Pandas, and Matplotlib.
• Digital Infrastructure: Understand cloud environments (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), modern network architectures, and virtualisation technologies.
• Industry Employer Set Project: Apply core skills to solve real-world industry challenges set by digital sector employers.
• Software Development Lifecycle: Planning with Agile methodologies, designing algorithms and using version control (Git).
• Emerging Trends: Exploring the impact of AI, Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Year 2: Occupational Specialism (Software Developer)

You will specialise by applying your core knowledge to practical software development:

• Problem Analysis: Interpreting briefs to design software solutions.
• Software Design & Development: Writing clean, efficient code in languages like Python, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, MySQL and applying Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles, and developing user interfaces.
• AI & CI/CD Pipeline Automation: Harness generative AI coding tools and build continuous delivery pipelines (CI/CD) to streamline software deployment.
• Database & API Integration: Connect custom software to enterprise databases and external RESTful APIs for seamless live data exchange.
• User-Centred Design & Testing: Apply User-Centred Design (UCD) principles alongside automated functional and security testing to release market-ready software.
• Testing & Evaluation: Designing test strategies, identifying and fixing bugs and evaluating your final product against requirements.
• Practical Project: You will complete a significant project, such as building a web application, a mobile app, a data tool, or a game prototype, to demonstrate your end-to-end skills.

Industry Placement

You will complete a minimum of 45 days (315 hours) working with a real employer, applying your skills in a professional setting like a software company, a digital agency, or a computing department.

Benefits and skills

A respected, career-focused qualification valued by employers and equivalent to three A-Levels, it provides a direct route into a skilled profession without being a purely academic pursuit.

• "Learning by Doing" with an Industry Placement: The extensive 45-day placement gives you genuine workplace experience, a professional network and a significant advantage when applying for jobs.
• Versatile and Future-Proof Skills: The skills you learn are in high demand across every sector of the economy, from finance and healthcare to entertainment and game development, ensuring a wide range of career options.
• Multiple Progression Pathways: Upon completion, you can choose to step directly into a role as a Junior Developer, Web Developer, Game Programmer or Application Support Analyst, pursue a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship, or use the UCAS points to go to university.
• Build a Professional Portfolio: The practical projects and placement work provide you with a portfolio of evidence to show potential employers or universities, demonstrating your capability beyond exam results.

Entry requirements

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths

Available apprenticeships and progression options

• High-Demand Job Roles: Graduate ready for entry-level roles such as Junior Games Developer, Junior Web Developer, Assistant Programmer, Automated Test Developer, or Software Engineer.
• Public & Private Sector Scope: Step into lucrative roles across diverse industries, from gaming studios and FinTech firms to government tech teams and enterprise businesses.
• Higher Education & Apprenticeships: Progress directly into higher-level degree apprenticeships or university degree programmes (BSc Hons).

Assessment types

Assessment is done via a range of assessment methods including assignments, employer and external-based assignments and exams.