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Digital Production, Design and Development

T Level , Level 3
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Available at the following campuses:

A shot of the Quarry Hill Campus building and park on a summer day

Quarry Hill Campus

What Our Students Say

“I think it’s the fact of being able to progress your creativity and be able to work on very new ideas – so whether if you’re going to do like a music video, a documentary, a short film, those sort of like projects where you just get something new, something you haven’t even done before, um it helps to expand your mind into something completely different and work into something that’s not the same thing as you’ve done before.”

Scott, Creative Media

“You get so much experience, like you’re not just doing one side of journalism you’re doing all different things – so one day you’ll be doing some magazines and then the next you’ll be filming in the TV studio so it’s just great to get to experience all kinds of journalism so then you get to decide which part you want to go into.”

Alannah, Creative Media

“The equipment is equipment that I’ve never actually used before coming to college and you know I had to learn about it, but when I did actually learn about it and get to grips with it a bit it really helped me be able to create new sounds on my instruments and stuff like that, and be able to kind of work with them a bit instead of just using old 2001 amps from my old school, so it was pretty nice to be able to use actually new modern equipment.”

Tom, Music Performance

“What stood out about this course was the fact that they did loads of different types of acting – it wasn’t just natural or screen or theatre, they did every type and they also looked at script writing which is something that I’m interested in, so it covered all basis that I was interested in. What I’ve enjoyed the most is definitely the performances and being able to put together so many different pieces from so many different stimuli’s – you get to work on so many different things and so many different topics and cover literally everything in such a short amount of time.”

Rachel, Acting

“I have a huge passion for acting as it is, and before I came to college I was primarily looking at screen acting which is a lot more naturalistic, and you don’t really get to experiment much with different like types of movement and things – but coming here has allowed me to experiment with movement and sound and loads of different types of theatre, which is amazing – and when you get to show people that, you just feel so amazing, because you’ve come up with this piece that you feel so proud of and it’s just great to see on everyone’s faces that they’re really happy with your piece.””
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Rachel, Acting

Did you know!

  • T levels are a two-year study programme, where 80% of study is based in a classroom environment and 20% is focused on an industry placement with an employer.
  • The T Level qualification has been designed and developed with over 250 global and leading employers, allowing and ensuring that you will gain the right level of knowledge and skills required by employers for the jobs of the near future.
  • The digital production, design and development T level is specifically designed to allow potential applicants to experience first-hand requirements of a challenging yet rewarding career in the digital and creative industries, whether that is within the web industry, games industry or a global business. The requirements for computer programmers and general computing enthusiasts is ever increasing with the emergence of newer technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, game engine programming and artificial intelligence.

Course Information

Introduction

This course is at capacity and no further places are currently being offered, however we can offer places on the waiting list for the course.

Experience first-hand requirements of a challenging yet rewarding career in the digital and creative industries. Whether you’re passionate about the web industry, games industry or working in a global business, learn the requirements, trends and technologies for computer programmers and general computing in an ever-changing world.

This T Level will enable you to enjoy 80% studying in a classroom environment and experience 20% learning on an industry placement with an employer.

More about STEM

Overview

T-Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16-18 courses. The qualification is equivalent to three A levels and the main focus of study is based around vocational skills. The qualification includes a 45-day industry placement and the course is run over two years.

This T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development explores various elements of the digital and creative industries. The course has a strong emphasis on the exposure to emerging environments, such as cloud based computing and gaming technologies. The main focus is on developing computing skills which will be enhanced by using programming environments and hardware that reflect the developments required in using various platforms in solving business and gaming solutions.

You will develop strong skills in problem solving, analytical approaches, and designing and developing pragmatic solutions for given problems. You will also become familiar with data analytics, web design and development, and game solutions and programming, whilst exploring current and emerging technologies, and how these are evolving as we progress in the current digital world.

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 Core Component (Year 1)

Consists of a range of topics regarding digital-related knowledge and employer-informed skills:

  • Problem solving
  • Programming/coding - using live briefs based on games development
  • Emerging technologies/trends - e.g. artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, augmented reality)
  • Games engines and issues in Digital
  • Legislation
  • Data - the importance of data management within games and how games rely on data
  • Digital (cloud/virtual), business and gaming environments
  • Testing and cyber security - game testing and issues around cyber security within gaming platforms
  • An employer-set project (ESP) which consists of applying the above skills in a real life working environment - e.g. being presented with a problem and then planning, solving and evaluating the issue and solution

The Occupational Specialism (Year 2)

Allows development and practical use of employer informed skills such as:

  • Analysing a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria, aligned to user needs
  • Game development used in problem solving
  • The design, implementation and testing of software
  • Ability to change, maintain and support software
  • Creating solutions in a social and collaborative environment
  • Being able to discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge
  • Applying ethical principles and managing risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software

Benefits and skills

  • A 45-day industry placement with a digital and IT employer - gain real life skills that will boost your CV and UCAS applications for university
  • Develop STEM skills needed for the industry, such as problem solving, creative thinking, communication, data-driven decisions, intellectual curiosity, flexibility and collaboration
  • Gain industry skills through exciting and live project work
  • Insight into how computer games are developed, with a strong emphasis on the technical side of computer game development
  • Learn in a state-of-the-art environment at our new Quarry Hill campus

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Maths.

Available apprenticeships and progression options

You can progress to a university of your choice and study various courses in the creative and digital industries including computer game programming, game design, game development, computer game science, web development, software development and data analytics.

You also have the option to study a Higher Education course in computer game development and computer science at our University Centre Leeds institution.

Completing this T Level will also support progression to entry-level job opportunities in computer game programming, software design and development, web development, mobile app development, general programming.

Assessment types

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

Course details

Duration: 2 years
Start Date: 15/09/2025
Fees (16-18): No fee
Study Type: Full time
Course Code: 76746-01

Employment Statistics

  • Programmers and software development professionals

    Average Salary
    £50,440

  • Arts officers, producers and directors

    Average Salary
    £50,440

  • Office supervisors

    Average Salary
    £30,160

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