Leeds City College

Our students are looking forward to bright futures in the worlds of work and study after collecting their Level 3 results.

For some, like Lizzy Robinson, exam success had an extra significance given the challenges they had faced earlier in life.

The 21 year old started at college without any formal qualifications, having missed an extended period of school. So she was delighted with the treble distinction star she achieved in her Level 3 diploma in Design and Production.

A proud achievement

She said: “I’m proud of myself for being able to achieve this.

“I joined the college when I was 18 so I’m kind of a bit of a latecomer, so I’m really happy that I was able to do it.”

Lizzy, who is full of praise for her tutors and the support they gave, is now looking forward to starting a BA Hons Degree in Costume Production at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where she secured a scholarship.

T Level students land apprenticeships

For others, like T Level students Daniel Hamilton and Muawwidh Kazi, the T Level route has led to work opportunities – with both learners landing apprenticeships at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Daniel said: “I’ve found the T Level brilliant. When I looked at what it had to offer you get a vocational course and the opportunity to have a work placement at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds.

“I was hoping I could get the relevant work experience, and job opportunities, and that’s how it worked out.

“I did eight months’ work placement with the DWP for my T Level, and they then offered me a social mobility apprenticeship.

“I’m looking forward to starting the apprenticeship in September – the beginning of working life and earning a wage.”

It has been a similar experience for Muawwidh, who like Daniel did a Business Management and Administration T Level and secured his apprenticeship offer during his time with the DWP.

Alex Kinany, meanwhile, is already enjoying his apprenticeship with Barkston Plastics, so passing his T Level was a nice bonus.

He said: “I did a T Level in design and development engineering and I got offered an apprenticeship through the work experience I did as part of that.

“I enjoyed all of it – I had to do a bit of everything!”

The rewards of a practical approach

For Molly Holdsworth, her Level 3 Animal Care technical certificate has opened a path to an Animal Biology (with foundation year) course at Nottingham Trent University.

She said: “There was a lot of practical work on the farm,you could be cleaning out the goats one day or be in the animal centre cleaning out the baby dragons and invertebrates.

“I very much enjoyed being hands-on and they would also let you help to plan stuff, and, after being shown, to have a go yourself.”

Physiotherapy career beckons for adult learner Tom

Determined to follow his dream of becoming a physiotherapist, Tom Dunn left his job to begin an Access to HE Diploma in Health Science with us in September, 2025.

He has gone on to excel in his studies, gaining 39 distinctions and six merits – equivalent to 138 UCAS points.

Tom left education at 16 to join the armed forces, but has wanted to pursue a career in physiotherapy for a long time so came to college to get the Level 3 qualification he needs to progress.

Despite being apprehensive about returning to education after almost 20 years, his concerns were soon put to rest.

He said: “Any initial concerns I had were quickly cleared by the tutors, enabling me to get stuck in.”

During his time at college, he received the Sir George Martin Trust award in recognition of his hard work.

Tom says he will start his BSc course in Physiotherapy at the University of Bradford in September with “a renewed sense of confidence in my abilities within education”.