14 - 19 Diplomas

Big On Diplomas

Diplomas are exciting brand new qualifications for 14 -19 year olds and are designed to give young people more options and to encourage them to continue their learning. Diplomas do not replace existing learning options eg; GCSEs, A Levels and Apprenticeships.
Diplomas are offered in partnerships by schools, colleges and work-based learning providers and your learning will take place in realistic work situations.

Diploma facts

• There are 3 levels to study a Diploma at: Foundation, Higher and Advanced
• There are 7 Diplomas available with Bishop Auckland College
• A Diploma requires a minimum of 10 days work experience
• You will do a project for the Foundation and Higher Diploma and an Extended Project for the Advanced Diploma
• You will also study English, Maths and ICT

What are Diplomas worth?

• A Foundation Diploma is the same as 5 GCSEs at grades D - G
• The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSEs at grades A* - C
• The Advanced Diploma is the same as 3.5 A Levels Diplomas available with the College
• Creative & Media
• Business Administration & Finance
• Construction & the Built Environment
• Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy
• Hospitality
• Information Technology
• Society, Health & Development
• Sport & Active Leisure

Diplomas are made up of three main parts:

Principal Learning

This gives you all the essential knowledge and skills to your chosen subject area. It will help you to communicate
effectively, think critically and be creative with your ideas. At least half of this part of the programme is concerned
with applying knowledge and skills of tasks, problems and situations that are related to work.
Employers have helped with design this part, so you know you are learning what that particular job area wants
you to be able to do.

General Learning

In order to help you get work, you need to continue with general learning.
This will be made up of:

Functional Skills

You will study English, Maths and ICT.

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

These will not be taught as a separate subject but you will be given tasks to make sure you improve in these areas while you are doing other parts of the Diploma.

Additional and Specialist Learning

This part of the Diploma, lets you choose additional subjects which fit well with your main area of learning or subjects that you really want to study as a specialist. Each Diploma has a long list additional learning, which leads to a qualification in its own right.
You will get advice about the choices available.

Work Experience:

A Diploma requires a minimum of 10 days work experience.

Project

You will do a project for the Foundation and Higher Diploma and an Extended Project for the Advanced Diploma.

For more information:
Call: Lesley Taylor on 01388 44 30 70
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For general information:
Click: www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/