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After GCSEs

T Levels vs apprenticeships vs A levels

The short version: A levels if you're not sure yet or you're aiming at a competitive degree. A T Level if you know the broad area and want real workplace time while staying a student. An apprenticeship if you want to be employed and paid from day one.

Find which route fits you T Levels explained

Should you do a T Level, an apprenticeship or A levels?

Choose A levels if you are unsure what you want or are aiming at a competitive degree, a T Level if you know the broad career area and want 45 days in a real workplace while staying a student, and an apprenticeship if you want to be employed and paid from day one. All three can lead to university, and none closes the others off permanently.

Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.

Side by side

Comparison of T Levels, apprenticeships and A levels in England
T LevelApprenticeshipA levels
What you areA student at a college or sixth formAn employee with a contractA student at a school or sixth form
Do you get paid?No wageYes, from day one (at least £8.00 an hour in the first year)No wage
How long2 years12 months to 5 years, depending on level2 years
Time in a workplaceAt least 315 hours — around 45 daysAbout 80% of your time; at least 20% is trainingNone built in
How many subjectsOne subject area, studied in depthOne occupationUsually three separate subjects
Typical entryAround 4–5 GCSEs at grade 4+, often including English and mathsLevel 2 from GCSEs or none; Level 3 usually GCSE 4+; degree level usually A levels or a Level 3Usually 5 GCSEs at grade 4–5+, higher for some subjects
Route to universityYes — up to 168 UCAS points, accepted by many universities for relevant coursesYes — or skip it, a Level 6 apprenticeship awards the degree itselfYes — the most widely accepted route
Best ifYou know the broad career area and learn by doingYou want to earn and start your career nowYou're unsure, or aiming at a competitive academic degree

Pay figures are the UK legal minimum from 1 April 2026. See our sourced pay and hours facts.

How to pick in five minutes

  1. 1

    Write down the jobs you'd take tomorrow if you could. If you can't name one, A levels keep the most doors open.

  2. 2

    Check whether those jobs have an apprenticeship route. Engineering, construction, digital, health, finance and agriculture almost all do.

  3. 3

    Decide whether you need money now. Only the apprenticeship pays you.

  4. 4

    Ask how you learn best. Sitting exams in three subjects, or one subject plus 45 days on a real site?

  5. 5

    Apply to more than one. A college place and an apprenticeship application can run at the same time; you accept later.

Common questions

Is a T Level better than an apprenticeship?
Neither is better; they suit different situations. A T Level keeps you a full-time student with 45 days in a workplace, which is useful if you want the training but are not ready to commit to one employer. An apprenticeship pays you from day one and gives far more workplace time, which is better if you want to start earning and know the job you want.
Do employers prefer T Levels or A levels?
For technical and skilled roles, many employers value a T Level because the student arrives with real workplace experience and industry-designed content. For academic and professional routes that run through university, A levels remain the most widely recognised qualification. Both are accepted for apprenticeships.
Can you go to university with a T Level or after an apprenticeship?
Yes to both. A T Level carries up to 168 UCAS Tariff points, the equivalent of three A* grades, and many universities accept it for relevant courses. After a Level 3 apprenticeship you can apply to university or move on to a higher or degree apprenticeship where the employer pays the tuition.
Can you change your mind after starting?
Usually yes, but timing matters. Colleges often allow a switch between a T Level and A levels in the first few weeks of the first year. Leaving an apprenticeship means leaving a job, so you would need to find a new employer or a college place, and college enrolment normally closes in the autumn.
Which pays the most in the long run?
It depends on the occupation more than the route. Skilled trades, engineering, energy, digital and construction roles reached through apprenticeships can out-earn many graduate jobs, and degree apprentices finish with no tuition debt. Careers with regulated degree entry, such as medicine, generally require the university route.

Related guides

Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.