Digital Production, Design & Development T Level Programme (Level 3)
September 2025 start

The broad nature of this T Level will prepare you for a role in a huge range of sectors, not just IT. That’s because in the UK, and globally, most companies have some form of digital requirements, whether it’s a company website or an internal IT system.

To broaden your options, you’ll cover a variety of topics, from coding, to web design, to marketing. This means that when it comes to employment, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to go wherever your ambitions take you, whether that’s working in the IT department of a building company, or fine-tuning a bank’s new accounting system.

Equivalent to three A Levels, this two-year programme has also been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so you can rest assured that that the content is relevant and up to date.

You’ll spend 20% of your time on an industry placement, giving you vital experience in the world of work and a CV to wow future employers. Your employer may also provide you with that invaluable first reference, whilst a number of our students have also been offered full-time contracts following successful Industry Placements.

Topics covered include:
• Programming
• The Impact of Digital - AI, AR & VR
• Data & Security
• Digital Environments

On your Industry Placement, you’ll experience life in the digital industry, possibly working on a real-life development project; for example, you may find yourself working alongside a Software Developer, following the full software lifecycle, right from the design phase through to testing.

Elements of study
Your programme consists of the following elements:
• Study of your chosen vocational subject - 80% of your programme
• Employability skills, such as punctuality, attendance, communication and team work but most especially the values and expectations of your chosen occupational sector
• Industry Placement, giving you a taste of working life – 20% of your programme
• Tutorial and personal development, such as healthy living, volunteering and citizenship skills

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs, graded 9-4, including English and Maths
• Relevant Computer Science/IT qualification at Level 2

You’ll be assessed via a mixture of assignments, employer-set projects and exam(s).

The sole purpose of a T Level is to prepare you for employment and a dynamic career. Due to the broad range of topics covered on the Digital T Level, you’ll be equipped for a career in a variety of sectors. You could work as a:

• CAD Administrator in the engineering industry, upgrading systems and troubleshooting support tickets, earning up to £50,000 per year
• Games Tester, pinpointing gameplay errors, glitches or bugs, earning up to £50,000 per year
• Web Designer for an online shopping retailer, earning up to £40,000 per year

As the T Level is equivalent to 3 A Levels, you could even decide to progress to university or a paid Apprenticeship, if you choose.

We have a range of dedicated support and wellbeing services including FREE travel; FREE breakfast; dedicated Learning Development Mentors (LDMs); impartial advice and guidance; dedicated one-to-one support for learners with additional needs; and support with the cost of College, plus much more.

Sitting a job interview, writing a personal statement, applying for university - taking part in our enrichment programme will give you a CV to wow in all of these situations! You’ll benefit from departmental and cross-college enrichment with:

• Inspiring trips and experiences
• Meetings with industry experts
• Visits to leading companies in your sector

As well as giving you essential professional and technical skills, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a successful and well-rounded person, helping you to make a lasting impression.

We want you to have fun, so we also have plenty of leisure and sporting activities for you to enjoy, improving your health and wellbeing

As part of our Pre-Professionals Programme, you'll have your own personal Learning Development Mentor, supporting you throughout your time at College. You'll also have access to a Careers Advisors and Work Placement Officer - they'll help you to manage your studies; oversee your progress; aid in your personal development; and enrich your learning, giving you exposure to not only employers, but leading companies in your sector.

You'll benefit from masterclasses, industry visits and project-based learning, and you'll also receive support with CV writing, personal statements, mock interviews and more, so that when it comes to the crunch, you have the skills and confidence to impress.

We’re an elite College, and part of the University of Bolton Group, offering you a gateway to all of Greater Manchester’s vast range of fantastic opportunities for specialist careers, university degree courses and higher Apprenticeships.

We’ll reward your achievements with trips to The Anderton Outdoor Activity Centre and the opportunity to apply for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our £75 million campus offers a refurbished fitness suite and sports hall; Apple Mac suites; libraries, a lecture theatre; hair and beauty salon; and a restaurant, café and canteen.

You’ll also enjoy a wide range of events, including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

Click the yellow ‘Apply’ button on this page.

You’ll be asked to set up a Learner Hub account so that you can track your application and enrol online. You’ll also be asked to book your interview for your course at the same time.

If you have any difficulties setting up your Learner Hub account, please email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

Open Events are the best way to discover what life as a Bolton College student is like, giving you an insight into College life.

Open Events at our Deane Road Campus are as follows:

• Tuesday 17th October 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 12th December 2024, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 12th February 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 20th March 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 30th April 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 19th June 2025, 5pm-8pm

If you’d like to attend one of these events, register here

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.