Additional and Specialist Learning in Diplomas

Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd is a Component Awarding Body for the new Diplomas for 14 -19 year olds that can be taken at School or College. This means that FUTURE offers a range of qualifications which can be used as Additional and Specialist Learning to enhance the Diploma experience for learners

What are Diplomas?

There are fourteen diploma subjects or lines of learning (LoL)

•	Business, Administration and Finance	•	Information Technology
•	Construction and the Built Environment	•	Manufacturing and Product Design
•	Creative and Media	•	Public Services
•	Engineering	•	Retail Business
•	Environmental and Land-based Studies	•	Society, Health and Development
•	Hair and Beauty Studies	•	Sport and Active Leisure
•	Hospitality	•	Travel and Tourism

More Diploma subjects are being developed and will be available in the future. See www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas for more details.

Each Diploma is made up of three components:

•	Principal Learning which develops and applies skills and knowledge specific to a particular line of learning
•	Generic Learning which develops the broad skills and knowledge for learning , employment and personal development, including Functional Skills in English, Mathematics and ICT
•	Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) which is made up of a wide variety of qualifications. These can provide greater depth of study relating to a particular line of learning (Specialist Learning), or broaden study for learners (Additional Learning)

Project

A project is a discrete element of the Diploma. A level 1 or 2 qualification involving a single piece of work that requires a high degree of planning, preparation, research and independent working. Learners explore in depth a topic based on their own interests and aspirations. The project is completed as part of a Foundation or Higher Diploma. An extended project is completed aspart of the Advanced or Progression Diploma.

Diplomas are designed to be as flexible as possible. ASL has a crucial role toplay in providing opportunities for Diplomas to be tailored to the needs and aspirations of individual learners. Much of the Specialist Learning available has been written for specific diplomas in consultation with the sectors in which the Diplomas sit.

How do I find out about what ASL is on offer?

The qualifications which are approved as ASL are updated at a number of points in the year. An updated list of all qualifications available for each line of learning and for each level of Diploma is available on the Register of Regulated Qualifications (THE REGISTER). On their website, you can browse the lists of qualifications in the Diploma catalogue, which identifies each Awarding Body offering specific qualifications and identifies them as Specialist Learning if appropriate.

Centres will need to make decisions about which qualifications will meet the needs of their learners to maximise individual learner Diploma experience and provide practical progression routes for all learners. The validity of qualifications chosen for ASL can be checked using the Diploma Validator.

How do I find out what FUTURE has on offer as ASL?

We have a list of qualifications approved as ASL on our website, which gives information about the level and line of learning for which they are appropriate. For more detailed information about a specific qualification go to our qualification s on the FUTURE website and you will find information about each particular qualification in the form of information sheets, specifications and more. If you wish to speak to someone generally about what Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd has on offer, contact one of our development managers. If you wish to speak to someone about a specific qualification, contact the centre support.

Please Note -
Centres delivering Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd qualifications as a component of the Diploma must claim certification for these qualifications no later than the 31st of July. Any claims after this date may miss the deadline for Diploma aggregation.

More Information

For more information on the Diploma and ASL, visit the following websites:
The Register – register.ofqual.gov.uk
QCDA - www.qcda.gov.uk
UCAS - www.ucas.ac.uk
Diploma Support Programme – www.diploma-support.org
Department for Children, Schools and Families Diploma website – www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas
Department for Children, Schools and Families 14-19 website (Diploma communications section) – www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19