The Specialised diplomas – the story so far (January 2007)
The Specialised diplomas are new vocational qualifications that will provide a real alternative to traditional ‘academic’ qualifications and learning styles. They will be suitable for young people who enjoy the challenge and stimulation of developing knowledge and skills in a ‘real world’ environment.
All students taking a Diploma will undertake a MINIMUM of 10 days work experience.
The first of the new specialised Diplomas will be available for teaching across England in September 2008 in Construction, Creative and Media, Engineering, ICT and Society, Health and Development.
A further five sets of Diplomas are due to be available from September 2009 in Business Admin and Finance, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and catering. Land based and Environmental and manufacturing.
The final four of the fourteen planned lines of learning are expected to be available in September 2010 in Public Services, Sport and leisure, Retail and Travel and Tourism.
Diplomas are being developed through Diploma Development Partnerships (DDP’s). Employers are taking a lead role in developing the new Diplomas within the DDP’s as part of a Partnership of employers, further and higher education institutions, schools and awarding bodies brought together by Sector Skills Councils ( SSC’s).
Awarding bodies will develop the qualifications in partnership with the DDP’s and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) will be responsible for the principles and standards that will be applied to accrediting the Diplomas prior to them becoming available for teaching by schools, colleges and training providers.
The Specialised Diplomas will be available at Levels 1, 2 and 3
Level 1 Diploma |
Generic learning |
Principal learning |
Additional/Specialist learning |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall size 600 Guided learning hours |
40% (240 Guided learning hours) |
30 – 45% (180-270 Guided learning hours) |
15-30% (90-180 Guided learning hours) National curriculum subjects |
20% of total learning will be Applied learning (Guidance on how learning can be applied to work-related tasks, problems and situations will be developed by awarding bodies, sector bodies and employers.) 75% minimum of Principle learning plus the project will be in specified line of learning 25% of Principle learning could be in other lines of learning |
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Level 2 Diploma |
Generic learning |
Principal learning |
Additional/Specialist learning |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall size 800 Guided learning hours |
25% (200 Guided learning hours) |
45 – 60% (360-480 Guided learning hours) |
15-30% (120-240 Guided learning hours) National curriculum subjects |
27.5% 0f total learning will be Applied learning |
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Level 3 Diploma |
Generic learning |
Principal learning |
Additional/Specialist learning |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall size 1080 Guided learning hours |
20% (216 Guided learning hours) |
40 – 60% (432-648 Guided learning hours) |
20-40% (216-432 Guided learning hours) |
25% 0f total learning will be Applied learning |
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Explanation of terms used
Generic Learning – GL
GL includes those generic skills that are relevant to learning, training and working in all lines of learning and all sectors These will include functional skills, personal learning, and thinking skills.
Principle Learning – PL
PL consists of learning modules and units of assessment that the learner must include in their Diploma. The opportunity to develop and apply generic skills will also be integrated into principle learning.
Additional and Specialist Learning – ASL
- Additional learning – further learning which can include national curriculum area or additional learning areas such as languages, music or science that do not duplicate learning already within PL and GL
- Specialist Learning – Units that learners can choose to include in their Diplomas. Specialist learning allows the learner to take up further more specialised learning within their line of learning. These will be qualifications or units identified and recommended by employers and higher education advisers on the relevant DDP.
