Diplomas
Diplomas are new, multi-component qualifications themed around an industry sector (known as ‘line of learning') aimed at widening the educational choices for 14-19 year olds. Designed as an alternative to traditional GCSEs and A levels, the Diploma is a unique qualification that combines academic classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on work experience relevant to the subject area.
The content has been developed in partnership with employers, who've identified the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a chosen industry. Diplomas have been designed so young people are better prepared for work.
Diplomas are set to become one of the 3 main education options alongside GCSEs/A levels and Apprenticeships.
NCFE's involvement in the Diploma
NCFE is approved as both a Diploma Awarding Body (DAB) and a Component Awarding Body (CAB) for the lines of learning which began in 2008 and a CAB for those to be launched in September 2009. At the moment, we're only using our status to offer 2 components of the Diploma; Additional and Specialist Learning and some of the Functional Skills qualifications.
Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL)
Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) offers learners an opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth or broaden their studies in other areas. At NCFE, we're using our Component Awarding Body (CAB) status to offer ASL, and a large proportion of our existing portfolio is included in the ASL catalogue across all lines of learning. ASL offers flexibility and the chance to study courses that are of particular interest to the learner, without it being related directly to the Diploma subject.
This means a learner studying a Foundation Diploma in Engineering could, for example, study NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Photography or NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Exercise Studies. We also have a number of qualifications approved as specialist learning for the Creative and Media Diploma. You can check which of our qualifications are approved for each line of learning in the Diploma catalogues.
Accessing the Diploma Catalogues
The catalogues are managed by the Office of Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) and are currently updated every 3 months. We've made searching the Diploma catalogue easier for you. Visit the Diplomas page of our website www.ncfe.org.uk/diplomas and click on the links to find out which NCFE qualifications are approved as ASL across all of the lines of learning at each level.
New Developments
We've also been approved as a CAB to offer ASL in all phase 2 lines of learning (teaching will begin in September 2009).
For more information on Diplomas and phase 2 developments, please visit our website www.ncfe.org.uk/diplomas, or you can contact the Research and Product Development team at NCFE on 0191 239 8000 or email info@ncfe.org.uk.
