What is a Diploma?
The Diploma is a new qualification for students aged 14 – 19 that you can do at school or college alongside your core GCSE subjects or other A levels. It combines theoretical study with practical experience to equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience needed for success at college, university and work. The Diploma gives you the opportunity to learn in an exciting, creative and enjoyable way, combining class work with hands-on experience, choosing study subjects that interest you.
The Diploma will appeal to students of all abilities and aspirations who like to learn about subjects in practical ways that they can relate to real life. The course will give you a strong grounding in specific subject areas, but will also ensure you have wider skills and personal qualities to prepare you for work in any field and for further education.
The Diploma provides al 14-19 young people with-
· A combination of the essential knowledge and skills that employers and universities are looking for
· Opportunities to experience different styles of learning in different environments such as school, college and the workplace, with an emphasis on practical activities and an integrated curriculum
· Opportunities to experience work in one of the UK’s main employment sectors
· Flexibility and choice with options to pursue their interest, whether this is further study or a job
· An insight into what work is really like without committing them to a career in a particular area
· A high quality qualification that will be valued by industry and higher education
· Get credit for each part of the Diploma they achieve as well as a grade for the whole Diploma
What is different about a Diploma?
Diplomas allow you to learn through theory and practice, as well as finding things out from books and people you get to apply your knowledge by doing things practically.
What will I study in the Diploma?
The Diploma will teach you the skills and knowledge that you need for the main subject of the Diploma and how to use these skills in real-life environments and understand why they are important.
Diplomas also include English, Maths and ICT Functional Skills. You will also learn skills like teamwork, creative thinking and problem solving. The Diploma also includes a range of optional courses that you can choose from,: they could be relevant to your Diploma subjects or your other interests and career ambitions.
Each Diploma gives you the chance to work on a project, letting you put the skills you are learning into practice. You will also get the chance to spend at least 10 days working with an employer, experiencing what you are learning for real.
What subjects could I study?
There are 9 subjects available –
Business, Administration and Finance
Construction and the Built Environment
Creative and Media
Engineering
Hospitality
Information Technology
Public Services
Society, Health and Development
Sport and Active Leisure
How does the Diploma Work?
There are 3 levels of Diploma – Foundation, Higher and Advanced.
· The Foundation Diploma is the same as 5 GCSEs at grades D-G
· The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSE at Grades A*-C
· The Advanced Diploma is the same as 3.5 A levels at grades A-E
You can study the Foundation or Higher Diploma alongside your core GCSEs in Key Stage Four. At year 12 you can then go onto study A levels, a Higher or Advanced Diploma or you could start an Apprenticeship or other qualification.
The Advanced Level Diploma is a full time course in a post 16 college. It will take up most of your timetable all week.
Parts of the Diploma
· Principal learning - developing the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the chosen Diploma subject
· Functional Skills - essential in English, maths and ICT
· Additional/specialist learning - , which offers you the opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth or broaden their studies through complimentary learning.
· Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills - this is where you learn about things like teamwork, being creative and organising yourself
· Project - this is about creating something to show what you’ve learnt, it can be about anything that interests you.
· Work Experience - this is where you spend time with an employer learning what it is like to be in the workplace.
And after the Diploma?
You keep all your options open with a Diploma so when you finish you can stay on at school or college and do another course like the next level up Diploma, A levels, NVQ, go onto university, do an Apprenticeship or a job with training.
For more information about Diplomas, please click on the link below:
http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/