The Diploma qualification

The Diploma is a new composite qualification, aimed at 14- to 19-year-olds, that brings an innovative approach to learning. It enables learners to gain knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience of sectors that they are interested in, while putting new skills into practice. Employers and awarding organisations have teamed up with schools, colleges and universities to form Diploma development partnerships (DDPs) and are working together with the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) and Ofqual to take forward Diploma qualifications. Diplomas are offered at the following levels: Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2) and Progression and Advanced (level 3). The first five Diploma lines of learning were made available for teaching from September 2008 and all 17 subject/sector areas will be introduced at Foundation, Higher and Advanced level by 2012.

The Diploma provides learners with real opportunities to practise their skills. It includes principal learning qualifications that provide opportunities for applied learning, which cover newly defined sector-related material and allow learners to develop and apply generic skills. In addition learners take the project qualification¹, which offers the chance to personalise and show breadth and independence of learning.

Functional skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT) are also an integral part of the Diploma: learners are required to attain a specified level to be awarded a Diploma. Learners will have opportunities to develop and apply functional skills across the Diploma curriculum. Functional skills are also available as standalone qualifications.

Learners must also take qualifications to meet specified guided learning hour (GLH) requirements for additional and specialist learning for the Diploma. This gives learners the opportunity to personalise their learning. Many qualifications that are already being offered can contribute to additional and specialist learning.

The constituent qualifications that contribute to the Diploma, such as principal learning qualifications, functional skills and qualifications for additional and specialist learning, are awarded by component awarding bodies. Diploma awarding bodies award Diploma qualifications. Component and Diploma awarding bodies are recognised through a supplementary process.

Centres and centre consortia for the Diploma manage records of learners’ results at centre level. The Diploma aggregation service holds records of learners’ achievements that contribute to the Diploma, including constituent qualifications, attainment of Personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) and completion of work experience. The Diploma aggregation service aggregates these achievements and works out automatically whether they are sufficient for a Diploma to be claimed through the service, so that Diploma awarding bodies can award the Diploma qualification.

1. The foundation project qualification is offered at level 1. The higher project qualification is offered at level 2. The extended project qualification is offered at level 3. All references to the project encompass the foundation, higher and extended project qualifications. [↩]