The Diploma
What is a Diploma?
From 2008 a new qualification for 14 to 19 year olds is being introduced – The Diploma. It’s part of a national programme to widen the choice of courses for young people and will be available at three levels Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2) and Advanced (level 3).
The Diploma is a qualification based around an employment sector, combining academic study with practical experience. The Diploma will help develop work-relevant skills, knowledge and understanding in a creative and enjoyable way.
The Diploma will be studied alongside any compulsory subjects, so students in years 10 and 11 will still do for example English, maths, science and P.E.
What subjects do Diplomas cover?
The Diploma is based around key employment sectors in the UK. Five subjects are being introduced from 2008, another five from September 2009 and a further four from September 2010.
Initially selected schools and colleges will be teaching some or all of the Diploma courses but they will become more widely available every year.
The benefits of a Diploma
- Diplomas combine academic learning with hands-on experience.
- Although students will be based at their school or college, they may have the chance to do part of their learning in other schools, colleges or the workplace.
- Learning about their chosen sector will help students make decisions about their future career.
- Students acquire transferable skills that any employer, in any sector would recognise.
- Diploma students have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to go on to college or university.
There is a website specifically about the new Diplomas www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas
Source: The Diploma – What Parents Need to Know, Department for Children, Schools and Families 2007
Diplomas available in North East Lincolnshire from September 2008
- Engineering (Click here for further information regarding N E Lincs Engineering Diplomas)
Diplomas available in North Lincolnshire from September 2009
- Business, Administration and Finance (post 16)
- Creative and Media (pre & post 16)
- Engineering (pre & post 16)
- Hair & Beauty (pre & post 16)
- Information Technology (post 16)
- Society, Health and Development (post 16)
Diplomas available in North East Lincolnshire from September 2009
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Creative and Media
- Environmental and Land-based Studies
- Hair & Beauty
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing & Product Design
Diplomas available in North Lincolnshire from September 2010
- Business, Administration and Finance (pre 16)
- Information Technology (pre 16)
- Society, Health and Development (pre 16)
Provisional from 2010:
- Construction and the Built Environment (pre and post 16)
- Retail Business (pre and post 16)
- Sport & Active Leisure (pre and post 16)
- Travel & Tourism (pre and post 16)
Diplomas available in North East Lincolnshire from September 2010
- Business, Administration and Finance
- Hospitality
- Society, Health and Development