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Students in Gateshead, Blaydon and Durham will have the chance to study for T Levels from September 2020.

The T Level is designed to be the equivalent of an A Level but teaching technical skills.

A total of 52 colleges across the country have been chosen to launch the qualification.

They include Durham Sixth Form Centre, Gateshead College, New College Durham and St Thomas More Catholic School in Blaydon.

Here is all you need to know about the new qualification.

(Image: GARETH EASTON)

What is a T Level?

T Levels are a brand new qualification that young people will be able to study after their GCSEs – this will be a technical equivalent to an A Level.

Like an A Level, they are classroom based but students will benefit from a high quality work placement to put their skills into practice. These technical studies and work placements will give learners the best of both worlds – a broad learning experience and a real taste of the world of work.

When are these coming in to place?

The very first T Level subjects will be taught from September 2020 in more than 50 colleges, and then more subjects will be rolled out to more colleges over the next few years.

What age can I choose this?

Young people entering year 10 in September 2018 will be the first to be able to choose T Levels – they will then begin their studies after their GCSEs in year 11.

What kind of thing can I study?

The first subjects that can be studied in 2020 will be Digital, Construction and Education and Childcare.

But by 2023, all subjects will be fully rolled out and include legal, finance, accounting, catering and engineering.

Where can I take a T Level?

Young people will be able to study a T Level at colleges across the country. The number of colleges offering T Levels will increase as the rollout progresses. 50 colleges will be offering the first T Levels from 2020.

Are they as recognisable as an A Level or apprenticeship?

They are new, but employers - including Accenture, Fujitsu, and GlaxoSmithKline - are involved in designing what will be in these qualifications.

By having these high profile organisations designing the content, we know students will be learning the key skills that employers are looking for, increasing their employability.

What is different about a T Level?

All T Level programmes will include a high quality, substantial industry placement‎ so that students can apply their learning in a real workplace environment. This will help learners move from education to employment in a more seamless manner.

How long does a T Level take?

T Levels will be 2 year full time programmes, roughly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels.

What can I do once I finish a T Level?

Students who have completed a T Level will have a range of options available to them, including being ready for the world of work but also having the chance to continue technical study at a higher level, either at university, or going on to a higher level apprenticeship.

What does this mean for existing technical qualifications?

We will review the other existing technical qualifications on offer to make sure the system is clear and easy to understand – for young people, parents and employers.

Some other qualifications may remain if they have a clear purpose, are high enough quality and support good outcomes for students.

What qualifications do you need to get to be able to study a T Level?

Colleges and other providers will set their own entry requirements, but as T Levels will be technical equivalent as A Levels, it is likely that students will need good GCSE results to study a T Level.