T Level Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Applications Open - Monday 27 October 2025

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply - Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide.

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Ashford College

Application Limits - You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

During the 2-year programme, you will get equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to build a career in Engineering and Manufacturing. You will also complete an exciting 45-day work placement with a local employer. T Levels are designed for students aged 16–19, a T Level combines 80% classroom-based learning with 20% work placement experience.

This project-based course is designed to prepare you for a professional engineering environment. To support your learning, the College has invested in advanced engineering facilities, including CNC machines, robotic arms, and dedicated Computer Aided Design (CAD) labs. Your classroom work will take place in in our purpose-built engineering workshop, and you will also complete a 45-day work experience placement with a local employer. Classroom-based learning – 80% of the course You’ll be supported throughout the course by expert tutors who will guide you through both the theory and practical elements. You’ll work on refining your skills to use CNC lathes, KUKA robotic machinery, and CAD software, while theory lessons will help you understand why engineers make the decisions they do. During the course, you’ll cover a range of topics including: • Understanding how materials, conditions and context influence design processes • Essential mathematics for engineering and manufacturing including standard trigonometry (calculating angles and sides in triangles) • Understanding how materials are processed and how this affects their quality • Learning about basic business principles including commercial priorities and markets You’ll also have the opportunity to specialise in one of the following areas: • Fitting and assembly technologies • Machining and toolmaking technologies • Composites manufacturing technologies • Fabrication and welding technologies Work placement – 20% of the course During your T Level, you’ll have the unique opportunity to spend 20 per cent of your time working with a local employer. You’ll be immersed in the business, treated like an employee, and gain practical experience you can add to your CV helping to kickstart your engineering career. Our dedicated Industry Liaison Officers will match you with a placement that supports your interests and career goals, with many students going on to secure paid work as a result.

T Levels are assessed through a combination of exams, coursework, and completion of your industry placement. The exams take place at the end of each year to test the skills you have learnt so far.

To study at Level 3, including all T Level and A Level programmes, you will need an average entry score of 5.0 from your best 6 GCSE subjects, ideally including English and Maths.

By the end of your course, you'll be well-prepared to tackle engineering problems and contribute to creating solutions. A diverse range of progression paths will be open to you such as engineering degree, a high-level engineering apprenticeship or an entry level role in the engineering industry. Many of our T Level learners are now working within the Engineering industry. One T Level learner, Josh, reflected on his time at College commenting: "I'm really appreciative of the College and my tutor who supported me in gaining full-time employment in Manufacturing Engineering. I'm going to be working with the design process and with CAD. I'm really excited about the future and can't wait to see where this role takes me.”