Resources

Diplomas are new qualifications for 14 to 19 year old learners and are alternative qualifications to GCSEs and A levels. They will offer practical hands-on experience in addition to classroom-based learning.

Diplomas will be taught at three levels, foundation, advanced and higher, and will be awarded at five levels:

• Foundation Diploma (equivalent to 5 GCSEs grades D - G)
• Higher Diploma (equivalent to 7 GCSEs grades A* - C)
• Progression Diploma (equivalent to 2.5 A levels)
• Advanced Diploma (equivalent to 3.5 A levels)
• Extended Diploma - from 2011 (contains additional maths, English and specialist learning)

In 2009 10 subjects were available, and by 2011 it is planned that there will be 17 subjects.

Diplomas are constructed around 6 learning strands:

1. Principal learning (which must be undertaken).
2. Additional and specialist learning (optional choices).
3. Functional skills (maths, English and ICT).
4. Personal learning and thinking skills (e.g. team work and self-management).
5. Work experience.
6. A project.

Diplomas in HLST subjects will be introduced in 2009 and 2010:

September 2009 - Hospitality and Hair and Beauty Studies
September 2010 - Sport and Active Leisure and Travel and Tourism

For a broad range of information on diplomas see the DCSF 14 -19 Reform Website and the Directgov.uk diploma website

For subject specific information, dedicated websites are available through the associated Sector Skills Council/Body websites:

• Hospitality and Tourism - People 1st 
• Hair and Beauty Studies - Habia 
• Leisure and Sport - SkillsActive

The 14-19 Diploma: Implications for HE Position Paper was produced by HLST to publicise the outcomes of the 14-19 Diploma Think Tank event which took place at Oxford Brookes University on 28 April 2010. The purpose of this event was to provide a forum for identifying and discussing key issues and questions facing higher education from the development of the new 14-19 Diplomas.

Not what you were looking for?
Try Using the Search Box Above