14–19 Diploma
Encyclopedia
The Diploma is a composite qualification in England
launched in September 2008. Its development was announced in the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005. It is available to learners between the ages of 14 and 19, crossing the divide between general education and vocational education
.
/employment
sectors. These are known as lines of learning (rather than subjects). These include Engineering
, Creative and Media and Travel and Tourism. Diplomas are not intended as preparation for direct entry into a profession, but as a general education as well as an introduction to an industry sector from which a student might progress, either through further study in full time education, or training.
All 14 lines of learning are available at levels 1, 2 and 3 of the National Qualifications Framework
. At level 1, the Diploma is known as a Foundation Diploma and is roughly equivalent in terms of challenge and volume of study to 5 GCSE qualifications at grades D - G. At level 2, the Diploma is known as a Higher Diploma
which is comparable in terms of challenge and volume of study to 7 A* - C grades at GCSE. At level 3, two sizes of Diploma are available. The Advanced Diploma is comparable in challenge and volume of study to 3.5 A-levels, whereas the Progression Diploma, involved a smaller volume of study, approximated to 2.5 A-levels.
Most Diplomas have three main components: principal learning, generic learning and additional and specialist learning. Principal learning is a single qualification, based on the chosen line of learning. This qualification makes up the greatest proportion of the Diploma. Generic learning includes a number of sub-components: functional skills qualifications in English
, Mathematics
and ICT
; a project qualification; a minimum of 10 days work experience and achievement of six personal, learning and thinking skills. The additional and specialist learning component permits the student to choose to include one or more qualifications in their Diploma. These qualifications may, but do not have to, relate to the line of learning. The Progression Diploma does not include the additional and specialist learning component.
tariff points have been agreed for the advanced diplomas, many universities
do not accept the qualification for entry to further study. The UCAS website details whether universities will or will not accept the qualification.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
launched in September 2008. Its development was announced in the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005. It is available to learners between the ages of 14 and 19, crossing the divide between general education and vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
.
Diploma lines of learning, levels, and qualification structure
Diplomas are available in a range of 14 industryIndustry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
/employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
sectors. These are known as lines of learning (rather than subjects). These include Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, Creative and Media and Travel and Tourism. Diplomas are not intended as preparation for direct entry into a profession, but as a general education as well as an introduction to an industry sector from which a student might progress, either through further study in full time education, or training.
All 14 lines of learning are available at levels 1, 2 and 3 of the National Qualifications Framework
National Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. At level 1, the Diploma is known as a Foundation Diploma and is roughly equivalent in terms of challenge and volume of study to 5 GCSE qualifications at grades D - G. At level 2, the Diploma is known as a Higher Diploma
Higher diploma
A higher diploma is an academic award in Libya, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and Oman. In Libya the award is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology, in Hong Kong it is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's...
which is comparable in terms of challenge and volume of study to 7 A* - C grades at GCSE. At level 3, two sizes of Diploma are available. The Advanced Diploma is comparable in challenge and volume of study to 3.5 A-levels, whereas the Progression Diploma, involved a smaller volume of study, approximated to 2.5 A-levels.
Most Diplomas have three main components: principal learning, generic learning and additional and specialist learning. Principal learning is a single qualification, based on the chosen line of learning. This qualification makes up the greatest proportion of the Diploma. Generic learning includes a number of sub-components: functional skills qualifications in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and ICT
Information and communication technologies
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
; a project qualification; a minimum of 10 days work experience and achievement of six personal, learning and thinking skills. The additional and specialist learning component permits the student to choose to include one or more qualifications in their Diploma. These qualifications may, but do not have to, relate to the line of learning. The Progression Diploma does not include the additional and specialist learning component.
UCAS
Although UCASUCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. UCAS is primarily funded by students who pay a fee when they apply and a capitation fee from universities for each student they accept..-Location:UCAS is based near...
tariff points have been agreed for the advanced diplomas, many universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
do not accept the qualification for entry to further study. The UCAS website details whether universities will or will not accept the qualification.
External links
- http://diploma-support.org
- 14-19 Reform