Today, HSDC is excited to announce that the College will soon be offering a T Level in Science, as well as a Science GCSE Suite, offering more routes into a variety of scientific careers.
Both courses will be provided at HSDC’s South Downs Campus from September 2026, and will be taught by the College’s expert lecturers, all of whom have a wealth of experience in their respective fields.
Science T Level.
The Science T Level will be a two-year, full-time Level 3 course equivalent to three A Levels that offers learners an industry-focused route into employment or higher education. T Levels split their learning between the classroom and a 45-day industrial placement, ensuring that all students are given valuable insights into the contemporary world of work.
In the first year of the Science T Level students will spend time in the classroom covering a range of modules, including Good Scientific Practice, Working in the Science Sector, and Core Principles of the Natural Sciences. The second year will see learners studying Laboratory Sciences as an Occupational Specialism.
These modules, alongside the industry placement, have been designed to give HSDC’s students a strong foundation from which they can launch their careers. This T Level can open doors to jobs such as a Laboratory Technician, Analytical Support Scientist, Food Technologist or Quality Control Specialist.
The Science T Level also has UCAS tariff points and is fully supported by top universities, allowing HSDC’s students to study degrees in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Chemical Engineering, Forensic Science, amongst many others.
Ellie Belcher is a Science Lecturer who has been working hard to prepare the Science T Level for delivery from September 2026. Speaking about the new course, Ellie said:
“Science is about curiosity and discovery – and that’s exactly what T Level Science is built around. While studying this course, students will be able to learn from subject specialists and gain hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment.
As a lecturer on this course, I am particularly excited to offer the same strong foundation as A Levels, but with the added advantage of real-world experience that employers and universities value. HSDC’s T Level in Science is going to be an exciting, practical pathway for curious, ambitious students who are passionate about all aspects of science.”
GCSE Science Suite.
HSDC’s new GCSE Science Suite has been designed for ambitious students who require a strong set of Science GCSE qualifications to progress onto higher level science-based courses including T Levels and A Levels. This course is perfect for learners who are determined to pursue a scientific career, but need to secure strong grades at GCSE level first.
This course will be a suite of five Pearson Edexcel GCSEs – English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all of which are essential when applying for higher level science courses. This suite is an important addition to South Downs’ diverse curriculum, as it ensures that the College’s science courses remain accessible to all, no matter their grades at GCSE.
Emily Pease, Head of Faculty for Health & Science at South Downs, is very excited about the upcoming introduction of the new science courses, saying:
“We are thrilled to launch the new T Level Science program in September 2026. This highly practical qualification is designed to transform theory into expertise, combining in-depth knowledge with essential hands-on laboratory learning and a significant industry placement. Whether your ambition is in Biomedical Science, Forensic Science, or the broader science sector, the T Level provides a powerful, direct pathway to employment, high-level apprenticeships, and university, offering a career-focused alternative to A Levels.”
To find out more about these new courses, click on the links below:
Science T Level: https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/courses/south-downs-campus/t-level/science-t-level/
Science GCSE Suite: https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/courses/south-downs-campus/gcse/science-gcse-suite-5-gcses/
