The Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences is a brand new qualification being prepared now for teaching from September 2011. It will offer learners a new style of applied learning and open doors to a wide range of further study and career opportunities.
Our vision is to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to understand themselves and their world and to shape its future.
Combining the knowledge from a range of established disciplines and, crucially, the skills to apply it to the world of work, Diploma holders will go on to employment and higher education as skilled explainers, facilitators, enquirers, advocates and positive forces for change.
Diplomas
Diplomas are new qualifications being introduced between 2008 and 2011 as part of the Government’s programme of reform for 14- to 19 year olds’ education. They have been created to offer an alternative learning style for students. Diplomas will give young people a fully rounded qualification, and include functional English, Maths and ICT, to equip them with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need for further or higher education and long-term employability. Diplomas will be taught in schools and parallel the traditional alongside existing qualifications including GCSEs, A Levels and Apprenticeship routes.
Read more about Diplomas on the Government's website www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas. For more information on Diploma structure read the QCDA Leaflet on Diplomas and for specific information for employers please go to www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/employers.
Where we are: design and development of the Diploma
The criteria for the Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences have now been published by Ofqual, the qualifications and exams regulator for England, and awarding organisations are now working on their specifications, to be launched in schools and colleges in September 2011.
Between now and July 2010, we will support awarding organisations’ work through a formal review process of interim submissions. We will also develop the catalogue of Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL) that sets out which qualifications can be taken as part of the Diploma framework.
From November 2009 onwards, we will be involved in the ‘Gateway’ process through which schools and colleges will apply as consortia to deliver the Diploma.
How to get involved
Whether you’re an employer looking to get involved with a local school, a university considering the Diploma as an entry qualification, a school, college or LEA planning to deliver this line of learning or a learner thinking about your future options, we want to hear from you!
We have a dedicated team who have the answers to your questions and the contacts and information that you need to be part of this exciting new qualification. Get in touch at humanities@ccskills.org.uk.
New dedicated website
Our dedicated Diploma in Humanities website is now live – so please bookmark our new home at www.humanitiesdiploma.co.uk