Diplomas

The Diploma is a new qualification that combines theoretical study with practical experience. It has been designed jointly by schools, colleges, higher education and employers. From September 2008, 144 areas across the country will teach the Diploma in five subjects and, from September 2009, 72% of schools and 88% of colleges in England will offer in the qualification in ten subjects.

All Diplomas will require a student to achieve a set standard in English, maths and ICT, complete a project and do a minimum of 10 days’ work experience. Diploma students will also acquire skills and knowledge that are essential for success in employment and higher education, both related to the discipline and those which are common, like teamwork, self management and critical thinking skills.

The Diploma will provide students with an integrated programme of study made up of different courses and awards. Foundation and Higher Diploma students can go on to study for the next level of Diploma, take a different type of qualification such as a GCSE, A level or Apprenticeship, or go on to a job with training. An Advanced Diploma can lead on to university or into a career. The Diploma will help students make decisions about their future direction without closing down options.

The Diploma is a qualification that is recognised by both employers and higher education. Over 5,000 employers have been involved in the design and development of the first five Diplomas and 235 of 306 Higher Education Institutions have said they will consider applicants who have achieved an Advanced Diploma or an Extended Advanced Diploma. This includes most of the country’s top establishments including Oxford, Leeds, Bristol and Warwick.

A total of 17 Diplomas will be available in areas across the country by 2011. GCSEs and A levels have been updated and the number of Apprenticeships is being increased. Taken together, these changes will mean that all young people can choose a qualification that suits their interests and learning styles and enable them to achieve higher qualification levels.

There are three levels of Diploma – Foundation, Higher and Advanced – that students can take at different stages in their education.

• Foundation Diploma – equivalent to five GCSEs at grades D-G
• Higher Diploma – equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A*-C
• Advanced Diploma – equivalent to three-and-a-half A levels

From 2011, an Extended Diploma will also be available. It is designed to extend each of the 17 subjects on offer by adding more generic and additional and specialist learning. The Extended Diplomas are expected to be equivalent to:

• Foundation Diploma – equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades D-G
• Higher Diploma – equivalent to nine GCSEs at grades A*-C
• Advanced Diploma – equivalent to four-and-a-half A levels

Universities now welcome Diploma Student

Diploma students can now choose from about 80% of undergraduate university courses across the country, according to data released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Young people who started studying the Advanced Diploma in September 2008 in Society, Health and Development; Creative and Media; Engineering; Construction and the Built Environment; and Information Technology will begin applying to university from this autumn. Universities’ admissions requirements for undergraduate courses from 2010 will include the Diploma for the first time.

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