With a Diploma, you will learn in new ways and different environments, not just the classroom. It will also give you the opportunity to explore subject areas and develop the skills you’ll need to study or work in them.
The Diploma is normally a two year full-time course, and contains a mix of compulsory and optional subjects. Compulsory elements of your Diploma will cover the main things you’ll need to know and be able to do in your chosen area. It also includes team working, problem solving, analytical and research skills - things that employers and universities really value.
In addition, you can make your course broader by picking from a range of optional subjects (the 'additional and specialist learning' element of your Diploma). This could be a more specialist course that interests you personally or a different subject, like a language.
All Diploma students need to achieve a minimum standard in English, maths and ICT. You will also get the chance to spend at least 10 days working with an employer, experiencing what work is like from the inside.
In 2008, there will be five Diplomas to choose from:
- Engineering Diploma
- Construction and the Built Environment Diploma
- Information Technology Diploma
- Creative and Media Diploma
- Society, Health and Development Diploma
More will be introduced every year. From 2011, all 17 Diplomas will be available in areas across the country.
Construction and the Built Environment Diploma
The Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment introduces you to the world that we have created. It will help you to develop an understanding of the built environment and some of the skills required to create, manage and maintain it. You will learn how to plan, design and construct a new structure and gain experience of many of the skills involved in developing it. Through this you will analyse the factors that influence the development of the built environment and how it affects people and communities.
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Information Technology Diploma
The Diploma in IT introduces you to how organisations work and the role technology can play in them. You will analyse business problems and learn how to develop IT systems that meet business needs as well as helping organisations and people. You’ll get to explore the use of technology in business, and develop skills in areas like web design and project management. This will help you to prepare for a range of different careers and study in the ever-changing landscape of the technology-enabled world.
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Creative and Media Diploma
The Diploma in Creative and Media will teach you to master the skills and processes central to creative roles. You will learn how to think, question, explore, create and communicate, and bring your ideas to life through making, performing and doing. You will learn how to be aware of your surroundings and how they can effect what you create. You will also choose a specialist theme from a whole range of topics that include 3D visual art to fashion, textiles, dance and interactive media.
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Society, Health and Development Diploma
The Diploma in Society, Health and Development will introduce you to the principles and values that underpin all the different jobs in this sector. It will show you what services are on offer and how they fit together – as well as teaching you to put the individual at the centre of those services. Through practical activities based on different aspects of the sector, you will learn how to value diversity and equality whilst developing a good understanding of health, well-being and different lifestyles.
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Engineering Diploma
The Diploma in Engineering explores the ideas and concepts behind engineering, and looks at its impact in the modern world. You’ll be introduced to key engineering principles such as design, materials, electronic systems, maintenance and manufacturing. You will also learn through using practical experience of what makes innovations succeed, how new materials contribute to design and how to develop and launch new ideas.
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