Diplomas 16+

In Year 11, you begin to make some important choices about your future. The Diploma is an alternative to the traditional GCSE/A level route, but one which keeps just as many options open for you. It could lead to further study, or to employment with training.

Diplomas are not replacing GCSEs and A levels, but give you a different option, which allow you to take GCSEs or A levels alongside.

What are the benefits of doing The Diploma?
These are just some of the advantages of taking a Diploma:

  • The Diploma will give you a head start in the competitive employment market.
  • You’ll get a valuable insight into one of the UK’s main employment sectors – without committing yourself.
  • The Diploma allows you to go on to university or get a job. The choice is yours.
  • The Diploma gives you the knowledge and skills that employers and universities are looking for.

Which Diplomas can I choose from?
In 2009, Sunderland students will be able to choose from 10 Diploma subject areas:

  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • Creative and Media
  • Engineering
  • IT
  • Society, Health and Development
  • Business, Administration and Finance
  • Manufacturing
  • Hair and Beauty Studies
  • Environmental and Land-based Studies
  • Hospitality

What will I study in my Diploma?
The Diploma combines compulsory elements and optional subjects. Compulsory courses in your Diploma cover the main things you’ll need to know about your chosen sector.

For example, in an Engineering Diploma there are three principal learning themes:

  • The Engineering World
  • Engineering Technology
  • The Engineering Future

You will do Functional Skills - English, Maths and ICT.

In addition, you will have a choice of doing additional learning such as GCSEs or specialist learning units linked with your Diploma subject. For example, if you’re studying for a Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment you could take a more specialist course in Surveying, or you could choose a more traditional subject like a Modern Foreign Language.

You will get the chance to spend at least 10 days working with an employer, developing these skills, and experiencing what work is like from the inside.

What qualification will I get at the end of it?
The Diploma is available at three different levels:

  • The Foundation (level 1) is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G;
  • The Higher (level 2) is equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C;
  • The Advanced (level 3) is equivalent to 3.5 A levels.

What could I do next?
There are lots of options. On completing a Foundation or Higher Diploma you could go on to take a Diploma at the next level, either in the same subject, or you could change to another area. You could also go on to do GCSEs, A levels or another qualification. You might decide instead to go on to do an Apprenticeship, or start a job with training. Your career adviser can help you make the right choice.

Will the Diploma help me get a good job?
The Diploma was developed with employers to help students get the skills, knowledge and experience they need to do well. Employers know that a Diploma student has the range of skills they are looking for.

Will I be able to get into university with the Diploma
Taking a Diploma can be the first step towards college or university. If you go on to do an Advanced Diploma, universities will regard it as broadly equivalent to three A levels.

What are the benefits of doing The Diploma?
These are just some of the advantages of taking a Diploma:

As well as learning in the classroom, you may also study some days at an employer's place of work, and spend time on work experience.

The Diploma allows you to go on to further study, and then on to college or university – or into a job and training.

The Diploma gives you the knowledge and skills that employers and universities are looking for without committing yourself to a career in a particular area.