The Diploma is a qualification for students aged 14 to 19, designed to combine academic and vocational learning and prepare young people for progression to further/ higher education and employment. More than 5000 employers, universities, schools and colleges have been involved in the development of the Diploma.

All Diplomas are available at Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2) and Advanced (level 3) levels. Fourteen Diplomas are available to schools and colleges. These are:

  • Engineering
  • IT
  • Creative and media
  • Construction and the built environment
  • Society, health and development
  • Hair and beauty studies
  • Environment and land-based studies
  • Hospitality
  • Business, administration and finance
  • Manufacturing and product design
  • Travel and tourism
  • Public services
  • Retail business
  • Sport and active leisure.

The Diploma is a qualification comprised of a number of components – all of which must be successfully completed:

  • Principal learning – this is the sector-related learning developed by employers and universities, and is a combination of practical and theoretical learning. Roughly 50 per cent of the Diploma is principal learning.
  • Project – This is a single piece of work of a student’s choosing related to the Diploma subject or sector area. It requires evidence of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. Students take the Extended Project Qualification at Advanced Diploma level. This can also be taken alongside other qualifications as a freestanding qualification. It carries the same UCAS points tariff as half an A Level and is graded A* to E.
  • Functional Skills – available in English, mathematics and ICT.
  • A minimum of 10-days work experience.
  • Personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) such as team work and creative thinking.
  • Additional/specialist learning – Diploma students will complete either an ‘additional’ qualification to add breadth or a ‘specialist’ qualification to add depth to their principal learning. Qualifications are drawn from a catalogue including GCSEs, A Levels, BTECS and technical certificates. Each Diploma has its own catalogue of qualifications. These can be found at Ofqual.