Frequently Asked Questions

Diplomas have been developed in association with the sector skills council so that they reflect the knowledge and skills required in the Sports and Active Leisure industry. Employers will also be closely involved in the Diploma programme and will therefore understand what the qualification involves and how it will help develop their workforce of the future.
Universities will recognise the Diploma and it will have published UCAS points when applying for a university place. Below are four quotes, which may serve to reassure you.

“The Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure offers learners an opportunity to benefit from specialist resources and facilities that may introduce them to progression pathways earlier than previously experienced.” (Andrew Burston, University College Birmingham)

“At last, a coherent, bridging framework that can link the different levels of education accessed by 14-19 year old’s. The Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure promises to provide the much needed opportunities to gain the relevant and necessary vocational and academic skills needed to engage in employment and/or Higher Education.”
(Lee Tucker, Senior Lecturer, Leeds Metropolitan University)

Of the UK institutions listed by UCAS as offering higher education courses, the vast majority have written and provided a generic statement reflecting their position on accepting the Advanced Diploma as a route onto their undergraduate courses. This includes all of the research-intensive Russell Group and 1994 Group universities, and all of the Million+ and University Alliance universities.

Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the Universitv of Exeter and Chair of the 1994 Group, said: “The 1994 Group believes that the 14-19 diplomas offer the potential to become a radical alternative to the existing curriculum. We recognise the strong potential the diplomas offer to provide the stretch that is needed to demonstrate the quality of school leavers at the highest level of achievement.

Level 2 qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs at A*-C. Level 3 qualifications are equivalent to ’A’ levels. Qualifications are however different sizes. The higher level Diploma is equivalent to 7 GCSEs at A*-C and the Advanced Diploma is equivalent to 3½ ‘A’ levels.

Post 16 students will be able to take advantage of the outstanding teaching and independent learning that is a feature of The Castle School. However we recognise that post 16 students should have a more adult learning environment and this will be created in The Qdos Centre. The Qdos Centre will be used exclusively by post 16 students and has a large social area for their sole use.

The Diploma is equally suitable for elite sportsmen and women or for those whose practical sporting skills are less well developed. The Diploma can lead to a huge variety of sport related careers from professional sportsmen or women to leisure centre management, sports coaches, sports journalism etc. Depending on your interests you may choose a different ‘A’ level to study as part of the additional Diploma learning.

If you are keen to improve your qualifications you may want to apply for the higher Diploma. If you are successful in this one-year course you can move onto the Advanced Diploma the following year. The Higher Diploma will give you the entry qualifications for the Advanced Diploma without any further study.

“The Diploma is a huge step forwards for education in this country, with learning based on skills and qualities that are relevant in the real world. I am sure that this new approach will enthuse many more young people than the current system does and in turn produce students who are more prepared for the career challenges that lie ahead. Our company mission statement includes provision to ‘provide opportunity to many’, and the Diploma fits in with our goals”. (David Batch, Chief Executive, Premier Sport)