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Diplomas - For Students and Parents

Introduction

The Engineering Diploma will provide young people with a first chance to find out about engineering without committing to a specific career.  Engineering offers a wide selection of career options many of which play an important social role, give opportunities to not only experience but also contribute towards the development of the latest technology, give good financial rewards and the recognition of professional status.  The vast array of activities which engage engineers include:

• developing medical solutions;
• designing, building and maintaining transport;
• ensuring our leisure, living and working environments benefit from safe and efficient heating, air conditioning, electricity and water supply;
• developing the latest gadgets for communication, entertainment and making our lives easier.

Diplomas provide an opportunity for students to:

• find out about the breadth of careers available within engineering - providing excellent preparation to make informed choices about the kind of work, training or further study to pursue in the future,
• explore the role of engineering in society and in their future,
• ‘have a go’ through applied learning,
• experience different styles of learning and to learn in different settings,
• gain a world class qualification which, as the qualification has been developed with input from employers and universities, should give them a head-start in employment and higher education,
• develop wider skills valued by employers, further education colleges and universities - including communication, mathematics and IT skills,
• demonstrate an interest in a sector of industry which should give them an advantage when applying for a job, apprenticeship or university place.

For young people who aspire to professional status (as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineering, or an Engineering Technician) the level 3 Diploma will provide a unique industry related qualification which should help them secure a place at university.  

Regardless of academic aspiration, the Diploma at all levels will allow students to spend some of their study time outside the classroom, perhaps engaging in hands-on activities in a workshop, seeing the latest engineering technology in use, or working on a project with other students. 

Diploma levels

14-19 Diplomas are available at three levels:

• The Foundation Diploma is an introductory GCSE level qualification and designed for those students who want to learn about engineering but do not feel confident progressing straight to a Higher Diploma.  It is broadly equivalent to five GCSEs grade D-G. 
• The Higher Diploma is a GCSE level qualification for those wanting to learn more about engineering whether or not they have completed a Foundation Diploma.  It is broadly equivalent to seven A*-C GCSEs. 
• The Advanced Diploma is designed for sixth formers and college students who would like an industry related alternative to A’ levels which can help them secure employment or a university place.  It is valued as being worth up to 420 UCAS points making it broadly equivalent to 3.5 A' levels.  Students completing an Advanced Diploma in Engineering will be able to dedicate similar time to study of maths and science to those who complete a maths A’ level and a science A’ level, with the advantage that they learn how to apply maths and science to engineering.  The brightest students may be able to complete one or two A or A/S levels alongside the Advanced Diploma.

Additionally there will be a Progression Diploma.  The Progression Diploma is designed for the minority of students who aspire to a Level 3 qualification but are unable to complete a full Advanced Diploma, perhaps because of restrictions on the time they have available for studying.   The Progression Diploma will be given to learners who complete all the Principle Learning and Generic Learning within the Advanced Diploma and is broadly equivalent in size to 2 A’ levels.  The Progression Diploma will not give students the opportunity to complete Specialised units or Additional units.

Key dates and further information

The Diplomas are being introduced in September 2008, and all young people should have access to them from September 2013.

Schools and colleges which will first teach the Diploma have now been identified. 

Other information available on this website includes guidance on work related learning, project timescales, and the diploma content specification. 

If you want to find out more register for updates or contact Karen Neal.  Alternatively visit the links page for more contacts (including details of Sector Skills Councils involved in development of the Diploma) and sources of information.