Why Study the Diploma
The Diploma in Creative and Media is an exciting new option for young people between the ages of 14 and 19. It gives you the chance to learn about the creative industries that interest you, in a practical and hands-on way.
You can study the Diploma as an alternative to GCSEs and A levels, or alongside those qualifications, to give you a really varied and exciting learning experience at school or college. You might also get to study the Diploma in different locations, visiting employers and universities and travelling to other schools and colleges.
The Diploma will help you to develop the skills and knowledge that employers and universities value - both within the creative sectors and beyond.
What makes the Diploma different?
Studying the Diploma will give you:
- A chance to develop a hands-on understanding of the creative industries as a career of choice;
- A structured learning experience that provides you with a chance to develop the skills needed by business and universities;
- Access to role models from the world of work, in particular creative and media sectors;
- An opportunity to mix GCSEs and A levels with a more relevant and practical style of learning;
- Study a mixture of qualifications that meet your interests and needs;
- Make an informed choice about work, training or university instead of being locked into one option;
- Gain experience of the workplace and understanding of what the job really involves;
- Get a head start should you choose a career in creative and media;
- Obtain a good grounding in skills that employers need, such as English, maths and ICT, as well as personal learning and thinking skills;
- Widen your learning into related industries and professions.
You can study the Diploma at three levels: Foundation, Higher and Advanced.
The Foundation Diploma is the same as 5 GCSEs at grades D to G.
The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C.
The Advanced Diploma is the same as 3.5 A levels.
A Progression Diploma is also available, which is the same as 2.5 A levels.
From 2011 there will be an Extended Diploma on offer too. It contains extra maths and English plus extra Additional and Specialist Learning. If you do the Extended Diploma at Foundation level, it's the same as 7 GCSEs at grades D to G; at Higher level it's worth 9 GCSEs at grades A* to C, and at Advanced it's the same as 4.5 A levels.
The Diploma is usually a two year course, no matter which level you study. If you study the Foundation or Higher Diploma, it will take up half of your study time, and you will take other GCSEs, including your core subject GCSEs. If you study the Advanced Diploma, it will take up your complete timetable.