| |
Home
News Centre
Popular
Questions
Publications
FoI
Publications Scheme
Research
Consultations
Our
Strategy
Speeches
Statistics
Inside
the Department
Cymraeg/Welsh
Links
Contact Us
Help
User guide
|
|
New report shows universities’ ‘overwhelming support’ for Diplomas
24 August 2009- Diplomas seen as excellent preparation for higher education -
- Five new Diploma lines to start this September - Schools Minister, Iain Wright, has today welcomed research showing that top universities overwhelmingly back the Diploma. The research, published today by the National Foundation for Educational Research, found that all universities questioned would welcome applications from the first Diploma cohort in 2010.The NFER report also found that:• Russell Group universities (20 major research-intensive universities) are strongly supportive of the breadth of learning and range of skills that Diploma students develop.
• University Vice Chancellors are confident that Diplomas will deliver the qualities they want in undergraduate students: flexible, independent working and experience of a work placement.
• Universities are enthusiastic about the Extended Project – a crucial component of the Diploma – and felt it developed the learning skills universities look for: critical thinking; analysis; and research skills.
• Universities welcome the opportunity to widen participation to higher education, commenting that Diplomas will bring new types of student and new styles of learning into higher educationThis report, which echoes a report from Universities UK earlier this year, will also be welcomed by young people choosing to study one of five new Diplomas lines being taught from September. This will give young people 10 different lines of Diploma learning to choose from, offering them more opportunity to focus on their interests and abilities. The new Diploma lines are: Manufacturing and Product Design; Business, Administration and Finance; Hair and Beauty; Environmental and Land-based studies; and Hospitality. All of these Diplomas will combine theoretical learning with knowledge of industry and practical ‘hands-on’ experience.So far, provisional figures show that three times as many students as last year have applied to study for a Diploma starting in September.Iain Wright said today:“This report shows that universities strongly support the Diploma and view it as excellent preparation for higher education. Top universities value the combination of theoretical learning and hands on experience that the Diploma offers. “The Diploma is a fantastic route into both higher education and employment, which is why I welcome the five new diploma lines starting this September. These new Diplomas will offer even more choice to young people and help them make the most of their talents and interests.”Professor Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds University, said:“It’s great to see confirmation of the overwhelming support that the UK’s universities have for the Diploma. The new qualification offers a new way of learning that engages and stretches young people from all backgrounds. It also provides students with crucial independent learning, critical thinking and teamwork skills, which will prepare them extremely well for a university course.”Sir Alan Jones, of Toyota and Diploma Champion for Employers, added: “The Diploma gives students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to the working world and to develop a commitment to continuous learning. This will help ensure they are better prepared for employment than previous generations. For this reason, like many businesses, I am delighted to support the Diploma.”Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The national evaluation of Diplomas is being carried out by a team from NFER (National Foundation for Education Research) and University of Exeter. The evaluation is a large-scale and multi-strand project that spans a 6 year period. It is looking at how diplomas are being implemented, the views of key stakeholders over time e.g. parents, teachers, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and employers; as well as how Diplomas impact on key Government targets e.g. on participation post-16 and attainment. 2. This report is based on one element of the data collection – a survey of 19 HEIs. Respondents were senior managers (e.g. Pro-Vice Chancellors) from each institution and 62 admissions tutors across the HEIs involved in the study. The survey was undertaken in late 2008 and the findings are therefore based on the first five Diploma lines of learning.3. The full report can be found at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/index.cfm?type=5&x=35&y=64. The Universities UK report can be found at http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Publications/Pages/ImpactOfCurriculumReforms.aspxContact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2009/0153
|
|
|
|
