Last updated: 21 May 2007

The Diploma is an exciting new 14-19 qualification that will bring an innovative approach to learning. It will enable students to gain knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience of sectors that they are interested in, while putting new skills into practice.

Employers and awarding bodies have teamed up with schools, colleges and universities to form Diploma Development Partnerships (DDPs) and develop high quality content for the new qualification. Diplomas will be available at levels 1, 2 and 3 in 14 sector areas as a national entitlement from 2013.

First teaching of the following Diplomas will be available from 2008:

• engineering
• society, health and development
• construction and the built environment
• IT
• creative and media.

Scoping a Diploma in science

QCA has been asked to scope the need for a Diploma in science as the fifteenth sector area. More information about this development and opportunities to get involved in the debate can be accessed from this page.

Finding out more about the Diploma

The Sector Qualifications Reform team at QCA is advising on Diploma policy and has developed the structure of the Diploma with partners. To find out more about work on developing this qualification, please see the links and downloads available on this page.

Further information about the Diploma is available in the documents Specialised Diploma - your questions answered, downloadable from the DfES Gateway website, the Diploma factsheet and the recently updated The specialised Diploma structure and standards document containing information on the qualification structure, standards and assessment. All three documents are available to download from this page.