FAQs
What is Principal Learning?
Principal learning is the learning that gives the Diploma its title. It is learning that is related to a sector of the economy, and has been designed and endorsed by the relevant industry. This is the guts of the Diploma - the core content that students will be following. At least 50% of Principal Learning is applied learning.
What is Generic Learning?
Generic learning involves developing broader skills for employability and learning. Within the Diploma it consists of the Functional Skills (English, maths and ICT), Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS), work experience, and a project.
What is Additional and Specialist Learning?
The Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) component of a Diploma allows students to choose qualifications to either specialise in a particular area within their line of learning (e.g. a student could use GCSE Art and Design as part of a Foundation or Higher Diploma in Creative and Media), or to broaden their study according to their own interests (for instance by taking a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language). ASL is a significant component of a Diploma - at Foundation it is has 120 minimum guided learning hours (GLH), at Higher it has 180 minimum GLH, and at Higher it has 360 minimum GLH.
What areas do Diplomas Cover?
From September 2008:
- Construction and the built environment
- Creative and media
- Engineering
- Information technology
- Society, health and development
From September 2009:
- Business administration and finance
- Hair and beauty studies
- Hospitality
- Environmental and land-based studies
- Manufacturing and product design
From September 2010:
- Public services
- Retail business
- Sport & active leisure
- Travel & tourism
From September 2011:
- Science
- Humanities
- Languages
What is a Diploma worth - how does it compare to other qualifications?
The Foundation Diploma is a level 1 qualification. It takes about the same amount of time to do and is equivalent in points to 5 GCSEs.
The Higher Diploma is a level 2 qualification. It takes about the same time and attracts the same points as 7 GCSEs.
The Advanced Diploma is aimed at those over 16, and is a level 3 qualification. It takes the same time to do as three A levels, and is worth 3 and a half A levels
Do I have to use the same exam board for all the Diploma components?
No. You can choose different exam boards for different components of a Diploma. All the results for the different components will be gathered together for aggregation by QCA.
Why do students have to do work experience?
The Diploma has been designed in close collaboration with employers, to provide students with the kind of employability skills that industry will recognise as valuable. As such, work experience is a key part of the Diploma.
How much work experience does a student have to undertake?
A student must undertake at least 10 days work experience. Ideally this work experience should be directly related to the Diploma that is being studied. However, the focus of work experience is on overall employability skills rather than sector-specific skills, so work experience can be achieved with any employer.
Posted
May 18 2008, 11:12 AM
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