Questions and Answers

Where will I study my Diploma?
As well as learning in the classroom you might spend time in a college. You will also get the chance to do work experience with an employer. Very few schools or colleges will be able to teach the full range of Diploma courses. So, they are now working together to make sure you get the best facilities and teachers in your area. More subjects will be introduced every year. From 2011, all 17 Diplomas will be available in selected areas across the country.

What about travelling to other places, like a college or workplace?
When you study for a Diploma, you will learn in the classroom as well as spending time in college or doing work experience. This may mean attending another school or college, and spending time with an employer doing work experience. This will of course involve more travel than you’re probably used to at the moment. Your school or college can make the necessary travel arrangements for you.

How long does it take to do a Diploma?
Diplomas will generally take two years, studying full-time. If you are doing a Foundation or Higher Diploma aged 16 or over, you should be able to complete it in less time. Alternatively, you can study for a Diploma part-time if you have a job or other commitments.

I haven’t done a Foundation or Higher Diploma. Can I still do an Advanced Diploma?
Yes you can, you don’t need to have completed a Foundation Diploma or a Higher Diploma to do an Advanced Diploma.

What is the difference between Diplomas and Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are for people who already know the career they want to pursue. They provide training for specific jobs. A Diploma will give you an insight into group of related subjects, and a fully rounded education. So if you have an Engineering Diploma, for example, you can choose from a wide range of industries which involve Engineering or something in a completely different area. Employers and universities will know that you have the broad skills that they value most.

What do I get at the end?
When you finish, you'll receive a Foundation, a Higher or an Advanced Diploma in the subject you chose. You’ll also get all the individual qualifications that make up your Diploma. After doing a Foundation or Higher Diploma you could go on to take a Diploma at the next level, either in the same subject or you could change to another area. You could go on to do GCSEs, A levels or another qualification. You might decide instead to do an Apprenticeship or start a job with training. Or go onto university to do a degree.

Can I move from Diplomas to other qualifications?
Yes. The Diploma is part of a range of learning options to help you move from school or college onto university, a job or further training.

It’s another option for you to consider. And it does not replace existing options like GCSEs, A levels or Apprenticeships. In fact, you can take GCSEs or A levels alongside a Diploma, and probably will if you are in Years 10 and 11. And you can even choose to take a GCSE or A level as part of your Diploma course, or one of your optional courses.

All Diploma students need to achieve a minimum standard in English, maths and ICT. These are the same as what you will be covering anyway. But it also means that you will gain experience in how to apply these subjects to practical situations to help you achieve them.

What can I do if I am worried about affording further study?
If you are worried about being short of cash for your studies after 16, there is help. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) can help you finance your final years of learning. For more information visit the EMA website.

Where can I get more Information?
To find out more about the Diploma, you can talk to your teachers, Careers Adviser or Connexions Personal Adviser.

How are Diplomas graded?
The final grade will be calculated by combining your grades for the principal learning and the project. But to achieve a Diploma, you will also need to show that you have passed all the required Diploma components including the three Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT. What you get at the end is a student transcript, which shows all the individual qualifications that make up your Diploma course.