Main Routes to Learning & Training
The Diploma
The Diploma is a new qualification for 14-19 year olds that offers a mixture of classroom learning and hands-on practical experience - including work experience - to help you to learn about:
A broad line of learning - such as creative and media, public services, engineering, or society, health and development.
The functional skills of maths, English and ICT - the practical bits of these subjects, which are needed to cope in life and at work.
Personal, learning, and thinking skills – including such things as team working and study skills.
You'll also be able to do additional and specialist learning such as A/S or A levels or a vocational course as part of your Diploma.
Diplomas may be on offer in the following lines of learning:
- Business, Administration and Finance
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Creative and Media
- Engineering
- Environmental and Land-based
- Hair and Beauty
- Hospitality
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing and Product Design
- Public Services
- Retail Business
- Society, Health and Development
- Sports and Active Leisure
- Travel and Tourism
However, not all the different lines of learning or levels of Diploma will be on offer in your local area. Find out more about what’s on offer on the Walsall area prospectus.
What levels are there?
The Diploma is on offer at levels one to three and each level usually takes two years to complete:
- A Foundation Diploma is at level One and is worth the same as five GCSEs at grades D-G
- A Higher Diploma is at level two and is worth the same as seven GCSEs at grades A*-C
- An Advanced Progression Diploma is at level three and is worth the same as two and a half A levels
- An Advanced Diploma is at level three and is worth the same as three and a half A levels
Interested? Find out more about Diplomas:
Talk to your:
- Personal tutor or careers teacher at school or college
- Personal Adviser from Connexions – you can speak to them at school or college or at your local Connexions centre.
Go online:
- For general information about Diplomas as well as videos, case studies, and quizzes see Direct Gov.
- For information about where Diplomas are on offer locally use the Walsall area prospectus.
- You can find out more information about all the 16+ options including the Diploma on Direct Gov.
What can a Diploma lead to?
Diplomas lead to the same opportunities that are on offer to students doing other courses at the same level. So for example, you can go on from:
Foundation Diploma, which is at level 1, to a Higher Diploma, GCSE or other level 2 course such as a work-related qualification or into employment with training, or an apprenticeship.
Higher Diploma, which is at level 2, to an Advanced Diploma, Advanced Progression Diploma, AS or other level 3 course such as a work-related qualification or into employment with training, or an apprenticeship.
Advanced or Advanced Progression Diploma, which is at level 3, to a degree or other level 4+ course such as a work-related qualification or into employment with training, or an apprenticeship.
