T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning For Construction: Surveying and Design for Construction
Mode of study | T Levels |
Duration | 2 Years |
Campus | London Road Campus |
Start date | 4 September 2023 |
Course code | FLR3TCO (2325) |
About T Levels
T levels or Technical Levels are groundbreaking new qualifications which are equivalent to 3 A Levels. T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). This placement is a second year requirement where the college will work together with students, parents, and employers, to ensure that students are work ready and on a pathway suited to their individual needs.
T Levels have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training, or study.
T Levels are ideal if you have completed your GCSEs, and wish to continue your studies but also want to get into a skilled job. They are also great if you prefer a practical approach to your studies.
They enable you to build knowledge and experience to help you get the job you want. T Levels are developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so you will have the skills that employers in your chosen industry need.
T Levels are ideal for you if you are focused on a particular career or work skills and either want to progress to university, further training, an apprenticeship, or employment.
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Who is it for?
The construction industry is an incredibly exciting option for a well-paid, rewarding career. There are so many different job roles we cannot list them all here. The T Level, with its in-depth content and brilliant work placement scheme, can lead to a well-paid job with great prospects for progression as soon as you leave college. If you wish, the UCAS points will allow you to go on to university and qualify in a profession such as Architecture, Surveying, Civil Engineering, Project Management or Town Planning.
The T Level in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction will provide the perfect opportunity for you to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of a wide range of construction-related topics that will prepare you for progression to degree-level education at university, as either an architect, surveyor, quantity surveyor, structural engineer or town planning or a higher apprenticeship at SCG or direct entry into employment.
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Entry Requirements
Five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, all from the core subjects, including English Language and maths. Grade 5 is recommended for maths.
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What does the course involve?
The T Level is a big subject with a large amount of theory content. It is the equivalent of doing 3 A Levels. The range of topics we cover is very wide, and no two days in college are the same. Construction employers have designed the content. See the specification for more detail. Please be aware, this is not a practical subject; you will not be learning a trade.
A small flavour of the areas we cover:
- Maths- especially trigonometry and areas/volumes/measuring/calculus
- Science- materials, forces, heat, light, and sound
- Law- planning law, landlord and tenant and contract law
- Drawing- freehand sketching, 2D CAD, 3D CAD • Surveying- using tapes, levels and a very high-tech “total station” with GPS
- Sustainability- low carbon buildings, alternative energy, and heat sources, Passivehouse
- Construction techniques, modern methods of construction and project management
- Designing buildings to a client’s specification
- Digital Technology
- Relationship management
The T level is aimed at those who have a strong desire to work at management level in the construction industry. It can also lead to a degree course, in say, architecture, surveying or planning. It is NOT the right type of course if you wish to learn a trade such as carpentry, bricklaying, or plumbing.
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How is the course assessed?
Assessment Year 1:
- 2 written papers in the summer. 2 1/2 hours each
- An employer-set project of 15 hours duration which requires you to design and draw a building.
Year 2:
- You will study an Occupational Specialism, chosen from Design and Surveying. You will complete an assessed project of 30 hours duration in year 2, based on your chosen specialism. You also need to have completed at least 315 hours of work placement to complete the T Level.

Esther Dickson
Level 2 Painting & Decorating
Previous school: Telford College
My favourite thing that I’ve studied is decorative skills, which involve doing different techniques like stencilling and marbling. It’s quite intricate work and it was a challenge to learn, but I’m really proud of what I’ve done. You’ve just got to try new techniques out and know that you’re going to learn how to do it successfully when you’ve got a tutor as friendly and helpful as my tutors. My dream is to have my own interior design studio, specialising in working with small spaces and proving that you don’t need a lot of room to have a great home.

Andrew Holloway
HNC in Construction & the Built Environment
Previous Institution: Shrewsbury Academy
I wanted a complete change in career and had always considered becoming an architect. When I came to an SCG Open Evening, tutors suggested the route of Higher Education in Construction. It is a great hands-on course and I especially enjoyed learning about CAD, as this is a skill I need to become an architect.

Jordan Phillips
Level 1 Painting & Decorating
Previous school: Shrewsbury Academy
Painting & Decorating is a good trade to train in and offers great business opportunities afterwards. The tutors are good and I have learnt so much here – I have especially enjoyed learning how to wallpaper.
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