Walsall Children's Services

The 14-19 Diplomas

The new Diploma is an alternative to the traditional GCSE or A level route. It offers a mix of classroom learning, creative thinking and hands-on experience. It can help students to develop the skills and experience that are valued by employers and which universities and colleges look for in potential students.

Diploma levels

There are three levels to the qualification.

1. The Foundation Diploma, which takes broadly the same time to do as four or five GCSEs and can be started in Year 10 or above.
2. The Higher Diploma, which takes broadly the same time to do as five or six GCSEs and can be started in Year 10 or above.
3. The Advanced Diploma, which takes broadly the same time to do as three A levels and can be started in Year 12 or above.

The Advanced Diploma could lead to college, university or to skilled employment. A Progression Diploma is also available, which takes broadly the same time as two A levels. This can be chosen if students wish to take a smaller programme or would like to combine a Diploma with another qualification.

Diplomas lines (subject areas) available

There are 17 broad Diploma lines that are being introduced over the next few years - by 2013 all students will be entitled to access the lines listed below.

For further information about each of the diploma lines visit www.walsallchoices.com