Universities Come Out To Back The Diploma
Partnerships including Oxford academics, British Airways, other leading educational experts and industry leaders will come together to develop the next three Diplomas, in science, languages and humanities, the Government has announced.
Some of the country’s most famous universities, including the vast majority of the Russell Group and every member of the 1994 Group have now publicly said they will also consider applicants with a Diploma.
The new ‘Phase 4’ Diplomas, to be taught from 2011, will follow the same structure, principles and design as their predecessors. Whereas Diplomas so far have been themed around employment sectors, the latest three lines will be subject based: Science, Languages and Humanities.
They will ensure young people also have a strong grounding in the skills they will need for future employment – English, maths and ICT, as well as personal learning and thinking skills. Students will be required to do 10 days work experience as well as other work related learning, in line with the current Diploma programme.
The Diploma Development Partnerships are groups of experts who are brought together to lead the qualification development process. Phase 4 Diplomas will offer science and languages to help reverse the recent decline in the study of these subjects, as well as the option to concentrate on humanities.
The membership includes representation from a number of high profile employers, including AstraZeneca (Languages and Science), British Airways (Languages), UBS (Humanities) and the NHS (Science). Subject experts and subject associations are also represented and a representative from Oxford University is included on each diploma line.
235 of 306 UCAS Higher Education Institutions have now put statements on the UCAS website, outlining their position on the Diploma. The vast majority indicate they will consider applicants with the Advanced Level Diploma (worth 3.5 A Levels) or extended Advanced Level Diplomas (worth 4.5 A Levels). The majority of those Higher Education providers who have not issued statements are smaller institutions offering less than 50 Higher Education courses.
Some 20,000 students will begin studying the Phase 1 Diplomas this September. They cover: Construction and the Built Environment, Creative and Media, Engineering, IT, Society, Health and Development.
This announcement comes a week ahead of the publication of GCSE results, when young people will be making their choices for future qualifications.
Ed Balls said:
“I’m pleased so many universities have now come out in support of the Diplomas, including some of our most famous institutes. They recognise that candidates will have not only the practical skills they need for the world of work but the knowledge and theoretical rigour to study at degree level and beyond.
“It’s also good to see such a formidable group of minds signed up to help us develop the content of the Science, Language and Humanities Diplomas. I believe their backing and involvement will make these subject lines increasingly popular with employers and Higher Education Institutions.”
Jim Knight said:
“This is great news for young people, especially those considering their options post-GCSE. They deserve to have a genuine choice about where their qualifications take them, be it university or straight towards employment. That’s what our reforms to the education system for 14 to 19 year olds are all about.
“The Diplomas offer exciting and relevant options for young people to build their own package of learning on a platform of core skills. The Phase 4 Diplomas will help boost young people’s participation in science and languages, which are much sought after subjects both in higher education and the work place.”
Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of Oxford said:
"Oxford academics are engaged in the development of those phase four diplomas which appear to have the greatest relevance for our courses. Our interest is in helping to ensure that the Diplomas can deliver the highly rigorous academic content and study skills that candidates to highly competitive universities need.”
Nigel Thrift, Vice Chancellor at the University of Warwick, said:
“The University welcomes the Diplomas for their potential to extend opportunity to more young people, enabling them to take advantage of a high quality university education.”
Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter, said:
“We recognise the strong potential the Diplomas offer, coupled with A level reform and the Extended Project, to provide the stretch that is needed to demonstrate the quality of school leavers at the highest level of achievement, but also, through a more holistic approach to the secondary educational experience, their ability to broaden the horizons of even the most disaffected pupils.”
Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor at the University of Leeds, said:
“Young people studying the Diploma will gain skills that are valuable for university and for their future.”
Julian Skyrme, Head of Undergraduate Recruitment and Widening Participation at the University of Manchester, said:
“It is clear Diplomas will engage and stretch learners of all abilities and provide universities with students who will be able to present new skills and competencies.”
Source: Press noticed issued by the Department of Children Schools and Families 11-Aug-08
