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Diplomas are new employer designed qualifications developed by schools, colleges and universities. They are available in different levels and offer a mix of theoretical and practical learning. It will help you explore potential careers in areas that interest you, but will also let you keep your options open as it includes essential skills such as English, maths and ICT. You'll get an insight into what work is really like, without committing yourself to a career in a particular area. It will also provide a recognised route to further education (FE), higher education (HE) or directly into work.
Each Diploma is made up of three components:
Principal learning: this focuses on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding required for your chosen Diploma subject. At least half of this part of the Diploma is concerned with applying knowledge and skills through tasks, problem and situations related to work.
Generic learning: this is the same for all Diplomas, and is made up of a number of strands. Functional skills are the practical English, maths and ICT skills that everyone needs to deal with everyday life, such as writing a letter of application for a job or working out the value of a car. Personal, learning and thinkingskills, such as team-working, creative thinking and self management, are all vital to success in both life and work, and will be useful to you in your chosen education or career path. You'll have the chance to do at least 10 days work experience, and you'll also have to complete a student project to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you've acquired through the Diploma.
Additional and specialist learning: this gives you the opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth, or to broaden your studies through taking additional qualifications. These could be related to the main subject of your Diploma, required for university entrance, or ones that reflect some other interests and ambitions. They can include GCSE, A level, BTEC or a wide range of other qualifications.
Diplomas won't initially be available in every school and college in the country. At the start they'll be taught in selected partnerships of establishments that have been approved to offer them. This means you'll have opportunities to experience different styles of learning in different environments. In addition to learning within the classroom you may spend time at a college or in a workplace. You will also spend time on work experience with an employer giving you the skills required for a head start in business life. To find out what Diplomas are available locally:
- talk to your careers teacher
- talk to your Connexions personal adviser at your local Connexions centre
- visit www.stepon.org, the 14-19 online prospectus for Essex
The Diploma will be available at a number of different levels:
- Foundation (Level 1) is equivalent to 5 GCSEs (grades D to G), and can be started in year 10 or above.
- Higher (Level 2) is equivalent to 7 GCSEs (grades A* to C), and can be started in year 10 or above.
- Advanced (Level 3) is equivalent to 3.5 A levels, and can be started in year 12 or above.
- Progression Diploma is equivalent to 2.5 A levels, and will comprise only the principal and generic learning components of the full Advanced Diploma.
- Extended Diploma will extend the Diploma by adding more generic and additional and specialist learning. It will be available at all three levels from 2011 and is expected to be equivalent to:
- Foundation - 7 GCSEs at grades D to G
- Higher - 9 GCSEs at grades A* to C
- Advanced - 4.5 A levels.
The Diploma is being introduced over a number of years, and in different schools and colleges at different times so check with your school/college, but 10 subjects will be available from September 2009:
- Information Technology
- Society, Health and Development
- Engineering
- Creative and Media
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Environmental and Land Based Studies
- Manufacturing and Product Design
- Hair and Beauty Studies
- Business, Administration and Finance
- Hospitality
These will be followed by:
September 2010
- Public Services
- Sport and Leisure
- Retail
- Travel and Tourism
Directgov - The Diploma
Find out the facts about The Diploma. This website explains the benefits and rewards of the qualification, plus find out where courses are available.
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