14 to 19 Education - Diplomas
What subjects are taught in a Diploma?
Where is the Diploma available?
Find out more about Diplomas
What are Diplomas?
Diplomas are exciting new qualifications
for 14 to 19 year olds. They have been created to widen the choice of courses available to young people and to help motivate and encourage them to stay in learning for longer.
Diplomas have been developed by employers, schools, colleges and
universities, with awarding bodies, to help young people realise their
potential and gain knowledge and skills in a ‘real world’ environment.
A Diploma is an all-round package which gives students the right knowledge,
experience, insight and attitude to prepare them for the next stage
in life – whether that’s university, college or work.
When will they be introduced?
Some schools and colleges are already offering Diplomas,
with more being phased in during 2009 and 2010.
By 2013, the Diploma programme will be fully implemented and every
14 to 19 year old in the country will be entitled to take a Diploma if they wish.
Who are they for?
Because of their unique design, Diplomas are equally suitable for the most able pupils preparing for demanding university courses; for young people who find the existing education system doesn’t suit them and for those who want to go straight into work after leaving school.
Students will be able to select which level Diploma suits them best:
Each takes about two years to complete:
Foundation Diploma is at level 1- roughly equivalent to five GCSEs at grades D to G.
Higher Diploma is at level 2- roughly equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A* to C.
Advanced Diploma is at level 3- roughly equivalent to 3.5 A levels.
Progression Diploma is at level 3- roughly equivalent to 2.5 A levels.
What subjects are taught in a Diploma?
The first five Diplomas are already running in some schools and colleges.
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Creative and Media
- Engineering
- Health and Social Care
- IT
Five more Diplomas will be available in some schools and colleges from September 2009.
- Land-based and Environmental studies
- Manufacturing
- Hair and Beauty
- Business Administration and Finance
- Hospitality and Catering
Another four diplomas will be introduced in September 2010
- Public Services
- Sport and Leisure
- Retail
- Travel and Tourism
The final three Diplomas will be introduced in September 2011:
- Humanities
- Languages
- Science
Where is The Diploma available in Leicester and Leicestershire?
Creative & Media
- Melton and Belvoir
- Leicester City (Available from 2009)
Engineering
- Melton and Belvoir
- North West Leicestershire
- Leicester City (Available from 2009)
- South Leicestershire (Available from 2009)
Environmental and Land-Based
- Leicester City (Available from 2009)
Society, Health and Development
- Leicester City (Available from 2009)
Hospitality
- North Charnwood (Available from 2009)
Hair and Beauty Studies
- Hinckley, Bosworth, Birstall & Wreake (Available from 2009)
- North West Leicestershire (Available from 2009)
- Leicester City (Available from 2009)
Construction and The Built Environment
- South Leicestershire (Available from 2009)
IT (Information Technology)
- South Leicestershire (Available from 2009)
Useful websites and resources
- The Directgov Diploma website
- DCSF Diploma website
- DCSF 14-19 newsletter
- Diploma support
Supports consortia (partnerships of schools, colleges, training providers and employers) to implement plans for the roll-out of the Diplomas. - Open Learning Resources
Diploma Leaflets
Last Updated: 20-Aug-2010