My T-Level Experience: Learning Business Skills in the Classroom and Beyond

Isaac Jefferson is a T-Level Business Management and Administration student studying at Station Plaza in Hastings. Isaac has an interest and curiosity about marketing, and since March 2026, he’s been working alongside the College’s marketing team in Eastbourne to complete his industry placement.

Here’s Isaac’s T-Level journey so far.

Why did you choose a T-Level?

I chose a T-Level because I wanted to focus my learning on one main subject area. For me, that was business, which is why I decided to study a Level 3 T-Level in Business: Management and Administration.

T-Levels combine classroom learning with practical experience, including an industry placement and exams based on the subject you study. I felt this approach would suit me better than a more traditional course, such as A-Levels, as it would allow me to develop my knowledge while gaining experience in a real working environment.

What's studying a T-Level actually like?

Studying a T-Level is challenging, but also rewarding. There is a lot of content to cover, and you need to understand how to apply what you learn to different situations.

Alongside classroom learning, the course gives you the opportunity to develop practical skills through an industry placement. This helps you prepare for the workplace and build skills such as independent working, research, communication and collaboration.

Having the chance to put what you learn into practice is one of the things I find most valuable about the course.

My industry placement

As part of my T-Level, I've been completing an industry placement with the College’s marketing department. During this time, I've worked on a variety of projects and had the opportunity to take photographs at a creative event.

I'm quite introverted by nature, so approaching people to ask if they'd like their photos taken pushed me outside my comfort zone. It was a valuable experience that helped me build my confidence and develop my communication skills.

I've also been involved in developing ideas for open events, social media videos, activities and schedules. I put forward concepts and receive feedback on how they could be improved or made more engaging and practical.

This has helped me understand how ideas develop into finished projects. I've learned that feedback is an important part of the process, giving me the chance to reflect on my work, build on my strengths and identify areas where I can improve.

What happens next?

I'm still exploring what I want to do after completing my T-Level. Some students use their qualification to progress to university, while others move directly into employment or further training.

At the moment, I'm keeping my options open. I'm not completely sure whether university is the right next step for me, but I like knowing that it's a possibility if I achieve the results I need.

One of the benefits of a T-Level is that it can open up different routes for the future, giving you time to develop your skills and work out which direction is right for you.

Would you recommend a T-Level?

Absolutely! I'd recommend a T-Level to students who want to focus on a particular subject and gain practical experience alongside their studies.

The course has helped me develop my academic skills, including literacy and essay writing, as well as my confidence and social skills. I've been able to learn in the classroom and apply those skills in a workplace setting.

If you prefer a more practical approach to learning and want to gain experience alongside a qualification, a T-Level is definitely worth considering. For me, it's been a great way to develop both academically and personally, while keeping my options open for the future.