Awarding of the Diploma

Diploma awarding bodies

All levels of the Diploma are graded. The Diploma aggregation service calculates the grade for the whole Diploma by aggregating the unit scores for principal learning and for the project. Also refer to the relevant sections of the Criteria for accreditation of Diploma qualifications version 2.

1. Diploma awarding bodies must have a clear understanding of the awarding process by which the grades for principal learning units and the project are converted to points. These points are added together to derive a Diploma score, which is converted into a Diploma grade using published thresholds.

Arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the Diploma aggregation service is managed to safeguard the use of the service over time, and to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to awarding organisations’ use of the service.

2. Diploma awarding bodies must award and report on Diploma grading according to the following grading scales:

  • A*, A and B for graded results at Foundation level and U for unclassified results
  • A*, A, B and C for graded results at Higher level and U for unclassified results
  • A*, A, B, C, D and E for graded results at Advanced level and for progression Diplomas and U for unclassified results.
Centres will be able to access a trial grade for each learner who has completed the necessary achievements for the Diploma. Centres can review the trial grade before claiming award of the Diploma, or set an intention to claim with the Diploma aggregation service.
The minimum required amounts of GLH for additional and specialist learning are:
120 GLH at Foundation (level 1);
180 GLH at Higher (level 2); and
360 GLH at Advanced (level 3).

3. Diploma awarding bodies must award the overall Diploma grade based on the combined scores obtained for principal learning and the project from the Diploma aggregation service. Diploma awarding bodies must only award the Diploma on the basis of claims accepted by the Diploma aggregation service. These claims must meet the following requirements:

  • achievement at pass or above of the combined results of principal learning and the project 1
  • achievement of qualifications from the Diploma catalogue for additional and specialist learning that:
    • are at the same level or are at level 2 or level 3 for the Foundation Diploma
    • are at the same level or one level above the level of the Higher or Advanced Diploma
    • meet the minimum required amounts of GLH
  • achievement of functional skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT) required at:
    • level 1 or above for the Foundation Diploma
    • level 2 for the Higher Diploma
    • level 2 for award of the Advanced Diploma or the Progression Diploma
  • confirmation that requirements for personal, learning and thinking skills have been met
  • completion of work experience.

4. Diploma awarding bodies must assist centres in understanding the grading scales and requirements for the award of the Diploma.

  1. The units for principal learning qualifications must all be taken with the same component awarding body and must be at the same level as the overall Diploma. The project must be at the same level or one level above the level of the Diploma. [↩]