FAQs about the Diploma
What is the Diploma in Creative and Media?
The Diploma in Creative and Media is an exciting new qualification available in schools and colleges in England for 14-19 year olds. The Diploma combines practical and theoretical learning to give you a hands-on experience of the creative and media industries.
What other Diplomas are available?
There are 17 Diplomas in total, being introduced in stages over five years. You can find out more about the other Diploma lines on the Directgov website.
What are the different levels of the Diploma worth compared to other qualifications?
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
How long does it take to do the Diploma?
Diplomas will generally take two years, studying full-time. If you are doing a Foundation or Higher Diploma aged 16 or over, you should be able to complete it in less time. Alternatively, you can study for a Diploma part-time if you have a job or other commitments.
Will the Diploma limit my options? What if I decide I don't want to work in the creative industries?
No, the Diploma in Creative and Media has been designed to give you a broad learning experience, allowing you to sample a range of creative and media disciplines and find out which ones interest you. At the same time, you'll be developing transferable skills that will support any future career choices, both in the creative industries and beyond. You'll also have Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT, skills that will help you throughout your working life.
I haven't done a Foundation or Higher Diploma. Can I still do an Advanced Diploma?Yes you can, you don't need to have completed a Foundation Diploma or a Higher Diploma to do an Advanced Diploma.
How much work experience do I have to do?
Diploma students are required to do a minimum of 10 days work experience. However, this can be in any kind of work place, it doesn't have to be a creative business.
What are Functional skills, and how do they fit with Diplomas?
Functional skills are the essential elements of English, mathematics and ICT that everyone needs to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work. In order for a learner to complete their Diploma, they must have achieved functional skills qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT; at level 1 for the Foundation Diploma, and level 2 for the Higher and Advanced Diplomas.
Will all Diplomas be available at all schools and colleges?
No, but from 2013, arrangements will be in place to ensure that young people in England can take any Diploma they want, even if it is not provided at their school. Not all schools and colleges will be able to begin offering the Diplomas immediately, and it is unlikely that any one school or college will be able to offer all 17 subject areas.
Are Diplomas only available in England?
Yes, all Diplomas are only available in England. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are making their own provisions for 14 to 19 education. The Creative and Media Principal Learning will be available as a pathway in the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Can the Diploma be taken by distance learning?
No, the Diploma is not available by distance learning.
How are Diplomas graded?
The final grade will be calculated by combining your grades for the principal learning and the project. But to achieve a Diploma, you will also need to show that you have passed all the required Diploma components including the three Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT. What you get at the end is a student transcript, which shows all the individual qualifications that make up your Diploma course.
Can the Diploma in Creative and Media help me go on to higher education?
Yes. The creative and media industries traditionally recruit graduates, so the Diploma in Creative and Media has been designed to support progression to university, by developing the independent, reflective learning skills universities value. All UK universities have stated that they will accept learners with Advanced Diplomas.
Do my Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) options have to Creative and Media related?
No, the ASL component of the Diploma is intended to give you more choice and flexibility. You can either deepen your knowledge and skills in a creative subject, or broaden your learning with a completely different subject, perhaps related to your future career goals. Employers in the creative and media industries have told us that they value people with a diverse background, so you should choose your ASL options based on your interests and goals.