Diplomas

So what's the deal with Diplomas? TheSite answers your questions.

That's right, we're actually interested in what we're studying.

What is a Diploma?

Introduced in 2008, Diplomas are for 14-19 year olds in England only.

Diplomas are aimed at a broad range of students and usually take two years to complete. There are different levels, depending on your age and ability:

• Foundation, which starts in Year 10 or 12 and is equivalent to five GCSEs at grades D-G
• Higher, which also starts in Year 10 or 12 and is equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A*-C
• Advanced, which is equivalent to three-and-a-half A-levels, or a Progression Diploma, which is equivalent to two-and-a-half A-levels.

I’ve heard Diplomas are being scrapped! What’s going on?

Headlines suggesting Diplomas are being scrapped are not strictly accurate. The Government has only scrapped the launch of three new Diplomas in Science, Humanities and languages. Schools can still teach Diplomas if they want to and it’s still a recognised qualification by all but a few universities.

I don’t live in England – can I still do a Diploma?

Unfortunately, the Diploma is only currently available in schools and colleges in England.

How does it work?

The Diploma combines hands-on experience with classroom study. It’s made up of different parts:

• Principal Learning: Your main Diploma subject
• Functional Skills: English, maths and ICT
• The Project: A way to show what you’ve learnt. It can be a written report, or something practical, like a short film
• Work experience: A minimum of 10 days with an employer, finding out what it’s like to be in the workplace
• Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills: Where you learn about working in a team, being creative, studying and organising yourself
• Additional and Specialist Learning: Optional courses agreed with your teacher, e.g. a GCSE in a foreign language

Does the Diploma replace GCSEs and A-levels?

No, it’s another option for you to consider. In Years 10 and 11, you can take GCSEs either as part of the Diploma (as your Additional and Specialist Learning option) or in addition to it. You can also switch between the different types of qualifications, for example, you may choose to take a Higher Diploma from 14-16, then do A-levels. Or you might do GCSEs then start an Advanced Diploma at 16. Post-16, you can do A-levels at the same time as a Diploma.

What can I take a Diploma in?

From September 2010 there will be 14 subjects available, although your choices will be limited to what’s on offer locally. They are:

• Construction and the Built Environment
• Creative and Media
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Society, Health and Development
• Environmental and Land-based Studies
• Business, Administration and Finance
• Manufacturing and Product Design
• Hospitality
• Hair and Beauty Studies
• Public services
• Retail business
• Sport and active leisure
• Travel and tourism

How is the Diploma assessed?

Some elements will be marked by a teacher, and you’ll also sit externally-set tests. Your final grade will be calculated by combining your grades for the Principal Learning and the Project only. You’ll also have to pass the Functional Skills, Work Experience and Additional and Specialist Learning parts – but the grades for these, where applicable, don’t count towards the Diploma grade.

Where can I do one?

It is up to the schools themselves whether they offer Diploma subjects, and which ones they offer. You may have to attend another school or college for part of your class work, but you will receive help with these arrangements and your travel will be paid for.

Where will a Diploma take me?

The Government says that doing a Diploma will keep all your options open and that you’ll be able to get a job or an Apprenticeship or go on to further study, such as college or university, when you’ve finished. Currently, however, 20% of universities do not accept the Advanced Diploma as an entry qualification. All universities have given statements to UCAS about their views on the Diploma.

Picture of students by Shutterstock.