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  2. Manchester Curriculum 2
  3. Developer Pathway
  4. Digital Software Development (T Level)

Digital Software Development (T Level)

Get the industry-specific knowledge and skills required to create interactive digital products and keep you ahead in the fast-paced digital industry.

Why study Digital Software Development at Ada?

This T Level has been developed in partnership with top employers such as ARM, BBC, BT, Cisco, and CompTIA, ensuring you gain the precise knowledge and skills that are highly sought after in the industry.

It offers a rigorous combination of specialised academic learning in computing, delivered by expert teachers, and extensive hands-on experience in the workplace. By the end of your two-year program, you’ll be well-equipped to transition seamlessly into a Digital Apprenticeship Degree or a University Computer Science Degree, setting the stage for a thriving career in the digital sector.

As part of your T Level, you’ll undertake a minimum of 45 days of industry placement, providing you with the opportunity to work closely with computing industry experts. You’ll apply your software design and development skills in a professional environment and learn directly from industry leaders. In addition you’ll complete a number of industry-based professional certification programmes from the likes of Cisco Networking Academy.

What will I learn?

In Year 1, you’ll master the digital fundamentals: Full-stack Programming, Cyber Security, Networking, and UX/UI Design. In Year 2, you’ll specialise in the software development lifecycle, learning to design, code, and test professional solutions using at least two industry-standard programming languages.

How will I be assessed?

Exam Board: NCFE

Year 1: Two written exams covering core digital theory and an Employer Set Project (ESP) to test your real-world problem-solving.
Year 2: An Occupational Specialism project where you demonstrate your ability to develop and fix professional software.

Industry Placement: Completion of a 45-day (315 hour) placement with a local employer.

How will I be taught?

You’ll learn through a “hands-on first” approach, combining lab-based coding sessions and collaborative sprints with teacher-led technical workshops. Your learning is reinforced by a 45-day industry placement, where you’ll apply your skills in a professional office environment alongside expert developers.

Key links / reading lists / website links:

Access recommended reading lists, essential websites, and primary sources for T Level.

T Level results

In 2025, nationally, only 2.85% achieved an A in their core exams whereas 23.5% of Ada’s T Level students achieved an A at their first attempt.

Further to their incredible results in their core exams, we are also very proud to announce that 10 of our Year 12 students secured one of the 20 places available at Amazon for their 45 day T Level work placement in Year 13! This means Ada students secured half of the available places!

Teaching staff