What are Diplomas?

What is a Diploma?

The Diploma uniquely combines essential skills and knowledge, hands-on experience and employer based learning, to prepare a young person for work or further study.  Diplomas will offer a mix of theoretical and practical learning, including functional English, mathematics and ICT and the opportunity to develop a specialism or undertake complementary study. 

Why do a Diploma?

Diplomas offer students a fully rounded education to equip them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to go into further or higher education and employment. Today both education and employment need students and employees who have broad skills and knowledge that they are able to apply in a practical way. The Diploma draws on different ways of teaching and different styles of learning so that individuals meet these expectations.

What is in the Diploma?

The Diploma is a flexible qualification that combines theoretical and practical learning with 'functional skills' in English, mathematics and ICT. It also provides the opportunity for learners to incorporate other courses of study such as vocational qualifications, GCSEs and A levels. Diplomas also contain learning in one of 14 employment sectors. Combined with additional or specialist learning this allows students to study a topic in greater depth or to study something new, or complementary.  There is a vital work experience element in Diplomas so that learning through doing is increasingly taken into the workplace.  This will help ensure a sound understanding of an area of employment. Learners will have the opportunity to develop personal learning and thinking skills, to develop skills such as team working and the vital communication skills they will need for life and work.  A Diploma project will be available at all three levels, allowing students to develop their ability to learn independently and broaden their sector related understanding by engaging in an investigative piece of work on, for example, environmental, social, economic and political issues.  It is important that there is a range of rigorous learning options for all those young people progressing from school or college to training, higher or further education. GCSEs and A levels offer one route, many Advanced Apprentices go on to higher education and Diplomas will offer another dynamic option. 

What are the Learning Lines and when are they being introduced?

Diplomas will be available in 14 lines of learning at Levels 1, 2 and 3, covering all the sectors of the economy. See below.

What will a student do when they have completed a Diploma?

A Diploma prepares students for employment or for training, higher or further education by developing a sound understanding of how a sector works, experience in that sector and its economic importance. It will give students an insight into what occupation, future training or learning they may wish to take up. It will not make them job ready.  Apprenticeships and NVQs are available to those individuals who already know what occupation they want to pursue.

Who should do a Diploma?

Diplomas will appeal to students who want to work in different environments by giving them the opportunity to learn in other schools, colleges and work places. Employers will offer students practical work-related learning within industrial standard facilities. Diplomas are available at three levels. The level 1 Diploma will appeal to students who are working at level 1 of the foundation tier. This includes young people for whom GCSEs may not be appropriate. The level 2 Diploma is designed for those who are expected to get grades from A* to C in their GCSEs.  The level 3 Diploma will appeal to high achievers who need an education programme that nurtures their talents and also offers them the opportunity to develop wider skills for the workplace such as team work, communications and the interpersonal skills that enable all people to achieve in life and work. It will also provide a clear progression route to higher education.

Where will a Diploma be taken?

Diplomas are new qualifications that offer a new way of learning. No one school or college will be able to teach the entire range of available Diplomas. They will be offered by partnerships of schools, colleges and work based learning providers. Students undertaking a Diploma will not spend all of their time sitting at a desk in a classroom. They will take courses at school or college, work with employers and local businesses, take additional courses such as project planning in other settings and undertake an extended project with other learning providers across the employment area covered by their Diploma.

What does the Diploma offer employers?

The Diploma is a employer-designed and supported qualification that will be available as an entitlement in all 14 employment sectors by 2013. Employers will be actively involved in shaping the skills and work experiences of young people. The Diplomas offer a very real chance for employers to contribute to the education of potential employees, making a positive impact on their local community and raising skills in England.

Note:

When progressing from school to college, training or university, some organisations will expect that Diplomas are combined with other qualifications.  Please consult each institution on their particular entry requirements and programmes of study.

Last updated on the 02-07-2007