14–19 Diploma

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The 14–19 Diploma is a qualification in England, launching in September 2008 in certain areas of the country. Its development was announced in the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005.

As the qualification title suggests, it will be available to learners between the ages of 14 and 19, thus crossing the divide between compulsory education and post-compulsory education.

What is it?
The 14 – 19 year old Diploma is a new qualification introduced by the government that combines existing qualifications and purpose designed qualification to make up a two year course. The Diploma is designed to give learners a fully rounded education, appealing to their interests and styles of learning while keeping their careers and educational options open for the future. Each course consists of units of work which include specific subject based class work, hands on experience with compulsory subjects like English, maths and ICT.

Levels of achievement:

Foundation diploma is a level 1 qualification and is equivalent to 5 GCSE’s grades D – G
Higher diploma is a level 2 qualification and is equivalent to 7 GCSE’s grades A* – C
Advanced diploma is a level 3 qualification and is equivalent to 3.5 A Levels Progression (also available) which is equivalent to 2.5 A Levels

What will I study? As a life based learning you will learn English, Maths and ICT along with you Diploma subject, you will also gain skills, which employment, University and Colleges value such as team work, creative thinking and problem solving skills. Diplomas allow learners to work on projects, which help you to put skills into practice.

How is it Examined?

Main subjects are examined through a mixture of practical assessments and examinations, whereas generic learning is assessed through a combination of a project, national tests for English, Maths and ICT plus a minimum of ten days working experience.

Five "lines of learning" will be available in the first instance:

Construction and the Built Environment
Creative and Media
Engineering
Information Technology
Society, Health and Development

The next five lines of learning will be available from September 2009:

Business, Administration and Finance
Environmental and Land Based studies
Hair and Beauty studies
Hospitality
Manufacturing and Product Design

The Diploma support programme provides support to practitioners for delivery of the diploma from 2009 and beyond. See http://www.diploma-support.org.

Further lines will be added year by year until in 2011 there will be 17 lines available, including Science, Humanities and Languages.

Within each line of learning, Diplomas are awarded at three levels:

Foundation (equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D–G, level 1 in the National Qualifications Framework)
Higher (equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A*–C, level 2 in the framework)
Advanced (equivalent to 3.5 A Levels)

UCAS tariff points have been agreed for the Advanced Diplomas, since they are expected to be used in progression to higher education. Some universities have said that they may not accept the qualification for entry to undergraduate study. The majority of institutions listed as offering higher education courses have posted statements on the UCAS site spelling out their position on what they will accept. See http://www.ucas.com/students/beforeyouapply/diplomas/14-19diplomas/statements