 Principal Learning
|
The largest component of the Diploma, Principal Learning develops the skills, knowledge and understanding specific to the learner’s chosen field of study, or ‘line of learning’.
The qualification consists of six to 10 units, assessed through a mixture of written exams and controlled assessment. At least 50% of the course must be delivered as applied learning.
To see what's covered in the Principal Learning for a particular Diploma, select the line of learning you're interested in from the menu on the Diploma homepage. |
| Projects (Foundation, Higher or Extended)
|
The Project is an essential component of the Diploma. As part of the Diploma, the topic chosen must either complement and develop themes and topics related to the Principal Learning, or it must support progression in terms of future employment or study.
For example, if a learner is studying the Diploma in IT and wants to pursue a career or further study in this field, then an IT-related project will both support progression and inevitably complement and develop themes related to the Principal Learning. If, on the other hand, the learner has decided that they would like to change direction and pursue a different career, for example in engineering or law, then a project in one of these areas would support progression in that direction.
|
| Functional Skills
|
These are the new qualifications that have been developed as a response to the employability needs set out in the government’s 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper. You can find more information on functional skills by visiting the functional skills area of this website. |
| Personal, learning and thinking skills
|
The Diploma requires each learner to receive 60 GLH of personal, learning and thinking skills development.
These skills will enable them to enter work and adult life confidently and capably. |
| Work experience
|
All Diplomas require 10 days' work experience at levels 1, 2 and 3, except for Society, Health and Development, which requires 20 days at level 3. These requirements are set by the DDPs (Diploma Development Partnerships) and are the same across all awarding bodies. |
| Additional and specialist learning
|
ASL gives learners the chance to deepen or broaden their studies by allowing them to choose qualifications that they are interested in, and that are in line with their employment and educational progression goals.
To achieve the Diploma, learners must successfully complete Additional and/or Specialist Learning at the appropriate level.
Specialist Learning consists of qualifications related to the specific Line of Learning of the Diploma and the relevant employment sectors. These qualifications support progression within those employment sectors and/or to further and higher learning.
Additional Learning consists of qualifications generally drawn from outside the learner’s Principal Learning area. Additional Learning should offer broad progression opportunities meeting individual needs, interests and aspirations. In addition, it can be matched to sector needs and market requirements.
It’s important to ensure that only accredited qualifications listed in the relevant NDAQ catalogue are selected. You can use the Diploma Validator to check compatibility. |