One week after T Level results day, thousands of learners across England are looking ahead to university, apprenticeships, and the first steps in their careers. 

But beyond the grades themselves, this year’s results tell an even bigger story. 

They highlight the growing popularity of technical education, the value of industry placements, and growing interest in education, early years, and health careers. They also provide a glimpse of the talented workforce that will soon be supporting children, young people, families, and communities across the country. 

A record year for T Levels 

This year, almost 20,000 learners received T Level results, representing a 65% increase on the previous year. The overall pass rate reached 92.6%, while almost seven in 10 learners achieved a merit or above.  

More than 97% completed their industry placement, reflecting strong partnerships between providers and employers. 

Among all T Level pathways, Education and Early Years remained the most popular subject, with 3,780 learners receiving results this summer. The Health T Level also saw significant growth, with 2,967 learners achieving results, an increase of 61% compared to the previous year. 

These figures reinforce a growing trend – that young people increasingly want qualifications that combine academic learning with meaningful, real-world experience. 

Why placements continue to make the difference 

Speaking to learners across the country on results day, one message came through loud and clear: industry placements are one of the most valuable parts of the T Level experience. 

Whether studying Education and Early Years or Health, learners highlighted how time spent in the workplace helped bring their learning to life. Placements gave them the opportunity to build confidence, gain first-hand experience, and explore potential career paths before taking their next step. 

For Niamh Alice May Foster, who studied the Education and Early Years T Level at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group and achieved a distinction, placement learning was the standout part of the course. 

"My favourite part was definitely the placement,” shared Niamh. “I loved every minute of it, taking the practical learning from college and applying it on placement. It's been an amazing experience." 

Niamh will now progress to York St John University as she continues her journey towards a career in education. 

Health T Level learner Amelie Dodd shared a similar experience. After achieving a merit at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, she is preparing to study Child Nursing at Sheffield University. 

"I enjoyed the course – especially the placement, as I got to work with a lot of different teams and colleagues and understand how they work in a real-life setting," said Amelie. 

Education and Early Years learners making their mark 

Education and Early Years continues to attract learners who are passionate about making a positive difference in children's lives. 

This year, the pathway delivered particularly strong results, with: 

• 656 learners achieving a distinction 
• 1,985 learners achieving a merit 
• 1,050 learners achieving a pass. 

Behind those figures are hundreds of individual stories of achievement. 

Scarlett, who studied at Wigan & Leigh College, achieved a distinction and is now returning to her placement setting to work full time with learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Meanwhile, Tabitha Gaines from Middlesbrough College also achieved a distinction and is heading to the University of Sunderland to study Primary and SEND Education. Her ambition is to become a teacher, and she plans to combine university study with part-time work as a supply teaching assistant. 

Another learner already celebrating success is Kacey from HRUC (Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges). Alongside achieving a merit, Kacey was also awarded an industry placement award and describes the T Level as having changed her life. 

Stories like these demonstrate the diverse opportunities available to Education and Early Years learners, whether their next step is employment, higher education, or further professional development. 

Building the future health workforce 

The Health T Level is playing an increasingly important role in supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. With learner numbers growing significantly this year, the qualification is opening doors into nursing, midwifery, healthcare science, and a range of other specialist professions. 

Freya Follwell, who specialised in Midwifery at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, achieved a distinction and will now continue her studies at Keele University.  

Watch: We spoke to Cerys Wilks and Poppy Willet at Middlesbrough College about their favourite parts of the Education and Early Years T Level and their plans for the future

When asked what she enjoyed most about her T Level, she highlighted the qualification's unique blend of academic and practical learning: "It wasn't an A Level, and it wasn't a BTEC. It was somewhere in between. It suited me perfectly and reassured me with all my choices." 

At Wigan & Leigh College, Ava and Liz both achieved distinctions in their Health T Levels and are progressing to exciting new opportunities. Ava is heading to the University of Manchester to study Midwifery, a profession she has long been passionate about. 

Liz is embarking on a combined undergraduate and postgraduate programme in Child and Adult Healthcare, building on the skills and experience she gained through her T Level studies. 

When placements lead directly to employment 

One of the most encouraging aspects of this year's results is the number of learners whose industry placements have already opened doors to employment. 

At Middlesbrough College, Education and Early Years learners Robyn Meehan, Ella Armstrong, Olivia Rennison, and Lucy Carling achieved a combination of merits and distinctions. 

Their next steps include nursery practitioner roles, a position within a private school nursery, and an Early Years Teacher Apprenticeship with Teesside University. 

Each of them secured a job offer through their placement experience, demonstrating the value of strong employer engagement.  

What these results mean for our sectors 

As education, early years, and health continue to face workforce challenges, attracting talented people into these professions has never been more important. 

The continued growth of T Levels suggests increasing confidence in a qualification that combines academic learning with meaningful workplace experience, helping learners develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to take their next steps. 

The success of learners brings those outcomes to life. Their journeys demonstrate how technical education can equip learners with the practical experience, professional behaviours, and passion that our sectors need both now and in the future.

Discover more success stories from our learners and colleges on Level 3 results day by clicking here.

Pictured: Amelie Dodd, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group

Pictured: Ava and Liz of Wigan & Leigh College