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More Diploma courses are launched | More Diploma courses are launched |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The number of vocational Diploma courses available to students in England has doubled from five to 10. | The number of vocational Diploma courses available to students in England has doubled from five to 10. |
The government wants the Diploma to become a core qualification in the education system, viewed to be as valid as A-levels and GCSEs. | The government wants the Diploma to become a core qualification in the education system, viewed to be as valid as A-levels and GCSEs. |
The programme has now expanded to include hair and beauty, hospitality and manufacturing, among others. | |
The qualification is being rolled out across England. It is hoped enrolments will rise from 12,000 to about 40,000. | |
The Diploma was introduced last Autumn for 14 to 19-year-olds, initially offering five subjects including engineering, health and construction. | |
Rigorous | Rigorous |
It was intended to include a strong vocational element with extended periods of work experience, so students connected what they were learning to their chances of getting a job. | It was intended to include a strong vocational element with extended periods of work experience, so students connected what they were learning to their chances of getting a job. |
Ministers were also at pains to emphasise that core skills such as maths and English would be a central part of every course. | Ministers were also at pains to emphasise that core skills such as maths and English would be a central part of every course. |
They said an advanced level Diploma would be the equivalent of three and a half A-levels, rigorous enough to get students into university. | They said an advanced level Diploma would be the equivalent of three and a half A-levels, rigorous enough to get students into university. |
But, last week government-backed research suggested students are unlikely to get into university with the new Diploma alone. | But, last week government-backed research suggested students are unlikely to get into university with the new Diploma alone. |
Admissions tutors and managers at the most competitive universities were likely to question the academic rigour of the qualification for England. | Admissions tutors and managers at the most competitive universities were likely to question the academic rigour of the qualification for England. |
They were said to be "quite cynical" and "cautious" about the qualification. | They were said to be "quite cynical" and "cautious" about the qualification. |
The 19 institutions surveyed would accept candidates with Diplomas. | |
But most students would need to undertake some additional specialist learning as part of the Diploma - most likely in the form of an A-level as well, the Exeter University study said. |