Learning and Choices

The Diplomas

Diplomas are new qualifications that started being offered by schools and colleges in September 2008 more subject areas will be added over the coming years, with the full range of 17 available to all students by 2013.

The new Diploma qualification offers 14 to 19 year olds practical, hands-on experience as well as classroom learning. It's designed to help young people develop the knowledge and skills employers and universities want.

They are offered at three levels:

  • Foundation Diploma - Level 1 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs, grades D-G).
  • Higher Diploma - Level 2 (equivalent to 7 GCSEs, grades A*-C).
  • Advanced Diploma - Level 3 (equivalent to 3.5 A levels).
  • Progression Diploma - Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A levels).

The Diploma is a qualification based around an employment sector. The Diplomas being offered across the county from September 2009 are:

  • Business Administration and Finance.
  • Construction and the Built Environment.
  • Creative and Media Studies.
  • Engineering.
  • Hair and Beauty.
  • Hospitality and Catering.
  • Information and Communications Technology.
  • Land-based and Environmental Studies.
  • Society, Health and Development.

For more information about which diplomas are being offered:

A Diploma is taught in more than one setting so you may do some of your work in school, or at college or with a training provider or employer or a combination of all three.

The Diplomas will offer you a mix of theoretical and practical learning, including
functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT and personal learning and thinking skills, such as team working and working independently on a project.

They will help you gain qualifications you need for work, college and university.

For further information visit: