More FAQ links to most professional bodies:

Most professional bodies have a FAQs page. Below are links to a few examples of these professional bodies' websites.

Why study for a professional qualification?

Obtaining a professional qualification can offer rewards. Some examples of these are entry into one's chosen career, promotion or a salary increase either within one's existing role or when looking for a new post elsewhere.

What is the view of employers?

Professional qualifications are highly regarded by employers. Being awarded a professional qualification from a particular industry body is seen as recognition of one's professional status within that industry.

What is a Royal Charter?

Royal charters are granted by the Sovereign to organisations that work in the public interest and show excellence, stability and permanence in their particular field. Having chartered status is believed to improve job prospects and salary levels.

Can standard qualifications include exemption to professional qualifications?

In some sectors Higher Education courses offer a route to professional qualifications.  

Are professional qualifications credit rated?

An increasing number of professional bodies are mapping their courses to meet the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) design specifications and a significant number of professional qualifications are now accredited on the credit based QCF.

Do I need to get a degree before studying on a professional qualification?

In some areas such as law, individuals are required to obtain specific qualifications such as a certain type of degree before the post graduate professional qualification can be taken. Other examples are social work, architecture, information work, medicine, psychology or teaching.  In the area of youth work, Honours Degree level will be the minimum requirement for conferring professional status for youth work in England from 2010.

What is a professional qualification?

Professional qualifications are generally qualifications awarded by professional bodies. Most professional qualifications include practical training, which enables learners to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field.

What is the Advanced Diploma?

The Advanced Diploma is one of the new Diploma qualifications being offered as part of the 14 – 19 curriculum reforms which are currently underway. It offers a combination of general and applied learning and is designed to support progression either to further or higher education, or to employment with training.

What do students study?

Advanced Diploma students choose a main subject area from some 17 Diploma learning lines.

In 2008, 5 new Diplomas were introduced in:

• Information Technology
• Engineering
• Creative & Media
• Construction & the Built Environment
• Society, Health and Development

Between now and 2012, a further 12 will be phased in -

How is the Advanced Diploma different from A Levels?

The Diploma focuses on one main line of learning e.g. Creative & Media; Engineering, whereas at A level, most learners opt to study two or three separate subject disciplines e.g. English, Psychology, French. Students are, also, required to pass the three Functional Skills: Maths, IT and English at Level 2 and to choose an area for in-depth study as part of their Extended Project.  They also have to do at least 10 days’ work experience.

How does the Advanced Diploma differ from the Advanced BTEC?

Both qualifications are generally studied over two years and require study across a range of compulsory modules (Principal Learning (Advanced Diploma) / BTEC core modules) and options (Additional & Specialist Learning (Diploma) / Optional specialist units BTEC).

How does the Advanced Diploma prepare students for HE?

The Advanced Diploma has been designed with progression to HE in mind.  Its mix of applied and theoretical learning, combined with Extended Project and Functional Skills / Personal, Learning & Thinking Skills requirements will ensure that learners are prepared for the demands of study at undergraduate level.

How are students assessed?

Students on the Advanced Diploma are not expected to sit full qualification exams.  Work from the Principal Learning and Extended Project components will be mainly internally assessed and externally moderated by the relevant awarding bodies, as currently happens with other Advanced (Level 3) qualifications.

What happens if students don't pass all parts of the Diploma?

As has already been described, the Diploma consists of a number of key constituent parts. To obtain the full Diploma qualification, learners need to pass all of these.

What UCAS points does the Advanced Diploma attract?

Most HEIs express their entry requirements in the form of UCAS tariff points (often with specific grade requirements) for full time undergraduate courses. The UCAS tariff points for the Advanced Diploma, made up of a total of points from the Principal and Generic Learning and the Additional & Specialist Learning, are listed below. The maximum points that can be gained are 490, equal to 3.5 A-levels.

What progression routes are available to Diploma learners?

Students are able to progress on to a range of qualifications, as is the case for any Level 3 learner.

What do Universities say about the Advanced Diploma?

Universities are broadly welcoming the Advanced Diploma; in fact they were involved in shaping them. Generally Universities are of the opinion that the Advanced Diploma will provide learners with the thinking, organisational and research skills necessary for studying a degree.

What's the view of employers?

Employers have, in many cases, been instrumental in the shaping of the diplomas. For example, the Telecoms industry has been key in shaping the IT diploma.

What Advanced Diplomas are being offered by the London Boroughs?

Where can I find more information about specfic lines of learning?

Sector Skills Councils have been integral in developing the 14-19 Diploma lines, representing the interests of businesses and employers. Each Diploma line has its own individual website.

1st lines

http://www.engineeringdiploma.com/  -  Engineering

http://www.e-skills.com/diploma  -  Information Technology

http://www.skillset.org/qualifications/diploma/  - Creative & Media

http://www.cbediploma.co.uk/  -  Construction & the Built Environment

http://shd.skillsforhealth.org.uk/  -  Society, Health and Development

2nd lines

http://www.diplomaelbs.co.uk/ - Environmental and Land Based Studies

http://www.hospitalitydiploma.co.uk/ - Hospitality

http://www.habia.org/diploma/ - Hair and Beauty

http://www.baf-diploma.org.uk/ - Business, Administration and Finance

http://saldiploma.skillsactive.com/- Sport and Active Leisure

http://www.diplomainretailbusiness.com/- Retail Business

http://www.tandtdiploma.co.uk/ - Travel and Tourism

Principal Learning

• AQA (Assessment & Qualifications Alliance and City & Guilds): www.aqa.org.uk
• Edexcel Limited: http://edexcel.com
• OCR (Oxford, Cambridge & RSA Examinations): www.ocr.org.uk

What are partners in the Linking London area doing to prepare for Diploma students?

Universities nationally have been completing entry profiles specifying the courses that they will accept for entry to HE and most have created generic statements indicating their acceptance of Advanced Diplomas.

What support is available to support Diploma deliverers / Admissions tutors?

General support is available from www.diploma-support.org

Support for the Functional Skills programme is available from www.fssupport.org

There are on-line communities for each individual line of learning. These are spaces to where you can share resources, get advice and ask questions. www.diploma-support.org/communities/forums

What is a professional qualification?

Professional qualifications are generally qualifications awarded by professional bodies. Most professional qualifications include practical training, which enables learners to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field.

More FAQ links to most professional bodies:

Most professional bodies have a FAQs page. Below are links to a few examples of these professional bodies' websites.

What is the Advanced Diploma?

The Advanced Diploma is one of the new Diploma qualifications being offered as part of the 14 – 19 curriculum reforms which are currently underway. It offers a combination of general and applied learning and is designed to support progression either to further or higher education, or to employment with training.

FAQs

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Diploma FAQs