Further Education Course 

T Levels

Digital Software Development

View Key Course Details

Why study Digital Software Development at Derby?

  • Learn on the job – T Levels include a work placement of 315 hours, so you can put the theory you learn on campus into practice in the workplace.
  • Industry-standard facilities – CISCO approved centre in computing and IT and have fully equipped computer suites with the latest software and programmes.
  • Be inspired – Opportunities to attend the Insomnia Gaming Festival means that our students can meet games developers and designers.
  • Industry Relevance – The curriculum is designed to reflect current industry practices and standards.
  • Create new opportunities – This programme provides a pathway for learners who wish to progress to higher-level IT qualifications in higher education.
  • Develop a range of skills – From digital problem-solving and cyber security, to learning how to communicate and collaborate effectively in the workplace, this programme gets you ready for a world beyond education.

A T Level is a composite technical study programme, aimed at preparing young people (16-18) for work, higher level apprenticeships, or higher education.

T Levels are designed for students who wish to study at an advanced level but also wish to gain invaluable “on the job” experience. They are new, elite courses, which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. These are 2-year courses which have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so that the content meets the needs of industry, and prepares students for a career in IT/Digital, University, or a higher/degree level apprenticeship.

As these are equivalent to three A Levels, they carry some UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) Points.

What you will study

  • Problem solving
  • Introduction to programming
  • Emerging issues and impact of digital
  • Legislation and regulatory requirements
  • Business context
  • Data
  • Digital environments
  • Security
  • PO1. Analyse a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria, aligned to user needs.
  • PO2. Design, implement and test software.
  • PO3. Change, maintain and support software.
  • PO4. Create solutions in a social and collaborative environment.
  • PO5. Discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge.
  • PO6. Apply ethical principles and manage risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

As part of achieving the overall T Level programme, students are required to complete a minimum of 315 hours industry placement.

The course is classroom based for four days per week, and during this time you will have lessons where knowledge will be delivered. This delivery will occur through a combination of presentations and tasks which will allow you to explore the topics in more detail. There will be discussions, question and answer sessions, and written tasks. There will be a substantial number of practical activities, which will make use of both physical and virtual environments. Some activities will be undertaken as part of a small group, but you will need to be able to demonstrate your knowledge as an individual.

Careers

Students who achieve this qualification could progress to the following, depending on their chosen occupational specialism:

Entry requirements

Either:

Or

Fees and funding

If you are aged 16-18 on 31 August 2025, you will not usually pay tuition fees for your course. Most full-time college-level study programmes are fully funded for this age group.

However, you may still have additional costs, including: travel to and from college, uniforms, kits, and equipment, educational trips, meals while at college, childcare (if applicable).

This is where the college bursary can help support you.

How to apply

Ready to take the next step? Applying is quick and easy, just complete our online application form using the link below.

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Additional information about your studies

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.