Last updated: 20 Sep 2007

QCA today announced the accreditation of the central learning elements of the first five new Diplomas. Qualifications covering the principal learning and the project for each Diploma will be available for first teaching from September 2008.

Principal learning is the key constituent qualification in each Diploma and covers the essential curriculum relating to the sector title. The project is similar to the extended project that is currently being developed at A level and will develop a high degree of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. Principal learning and the project are combined with functional skills and additional and/or specialist learning to make the whole Diploma.

As well as the accreditation announcement, QCA has published the operating rules for Diploma and Component awarding bodies. The rules set out the principles, information and clarification needed for the operation of the Diploma.

The criteria for phase 2 Lines of Learning have also been published on the QCA website today. Diplomas in Business, Administration and Finance, Environmental and Land-based studies, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering, and Manufacturing and Product Design will be available for first teaching in September 2009.

QCA Chief Executive, Ken Boston, said:

"QCA and our partners are committed to ensuring that the new Diplomas provide young people with new study programmes, new approaches to teaching and learning and a new employer-endorsed curriculum designed to give all 14 to 19 year-olds a fully rounded education and equip them for higher education and employment.

"QCA is dedicated to ensuring that all qualifications that we regulate are of a high quality. Teachers, employers, higher education and, most importantly, learners can have confidence in these new and innovative qualifications.

"The development of the Diplomas has attracted tremendous interest from a wide range of awarding bodies individually and in partnership. Some have decided not to submit qualifications for accreditation for 2008, in order to take more time for the planning and development of high quality and innovative Diploma specifications. I am very pleased that these awarding bodies are committed to being at the heart of the developmental process, and envisage them playing a major role in Diploma provision from 2009. QCA wishes to see learners having the widest possible choice from a full range of high quality programmes."

Notes to editors

1. The following principal learning qualifications have been accredited:

Construction and the built environment

• AQA - City & Guilds Principal Learning in Construction and the Built Environment at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Edexcel Principal Learning in Construction and the Built Environment at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  

Creative and media

• AQA - City & Guilds Principal Learning in Creative and Media at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Edexcel Principal Learning in Creative and Media at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• OCR Principal Learning in Creative and Media at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  

Engineering

• AQA - City & Guilds Principal Learning in Engineering at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• EAL Principal Learning in Engineering at Levels 1, 2 and 3 [EAL withdrew this qualification on 24 August 2007]
  Edexcel Principal Learning in Engineering at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• OCR Principal Learning in Engineering at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  

Information Technology

• AQA - City & Guilds Principal Learning in Information Technology at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Edexcel Principal Learning in Information Technology at Levels 1, 2 and 3
• OCR Principal Learning in Information Technology at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  

Society, Health and Development

• Edexcel Principal Learning in Society, Health and Development at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  

2. The following project qualifications have been accredited:

• AQA - City & Guilds Project at Levels 1 and 2
• AQA - City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Project
  

• Edexcel Project at Levels 1 and 2
• Edexcel Level 3 Extended Project
  

• EDI Project at Levels 1 and 2
• EDI Level 3 Extended Project
  

• OCR Project at Levels 1 and 2
• OCR Level 3 Extended Project
  

3. Information on the Diploma qualifications can be found at www.qca.org.uk/diploma

4. Awarding bodies have now published detailed information on most of the accredited principal learning and project qualifications on their websites.

AQA City and Guilds - http://www.diplomainfo.org.uk/
Edexcel - http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/diplomas
OCR - http://www.ocr.org.uk/14-19/14-19_diploma.html

5. The full Diploma catalogue will be available on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk in early September 2007.

6. The Diploma criteria enable an awarding body to develop the detail of the constituent units and qualifications for each of the Lines of Learning.

7. The accreditation decision was taken by the regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland which are the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS), and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

8. If you require any more information, please contact the press office. Details are shown below.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Press Office
83 Piccadilly
London W1J 8QA
www.qca.org.uk

direct tel: 020 7509 6789
out of hours: 0779 892 4552