Local Universities' Response to Diplomas Sheffield Hallam University

1. Local Universities' Response to Diplomas Sheffield Hallam University Phil Bloor Admissions – Service Manager 18 March 2008

2. Sheffield Hallam University Welcomes Diplomas • Positive reception from SHU for diplomas • ''Sheffield Hallam University expects the Diplomas to provide a valuable and different route into higher education, combining academic rigour with vocational practice.  They provide an alternative and attractive qualification.'' Prof Philip Garrahan – Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Development

3. How is this reflected in Practice? • Engagement in Diploma development • Planning for progression of Diploma students to Sheffield Hallam University

4. Diploma Development • SHU actively involved in development of diplomas including • Engineering • Construction and the Built Environment • Society, Health and Development • Creative and Media • ICT • 14-19 Diploma Strategy group in place to co-ordinate response to diplomas within the institution

5. Sheffield Hallam UniversityCurrent Involvement • Working in partnership with Employers, Local Schools, Sheffield Council, Sheffield College and Sheffield Careers to develop the qualifications • Represented at national level on Diploma Development Partnerships • Working with consortia to map the curriculum at level 3 to aid progression to our courses

6. Sheffield Hallam UniversityCurrent Involvement • Hosting an event in June for the Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority WP group focusing on the Diploma. • Holding a special meeting of our Health and Social Work College Partnership Group to share information/good practice with college partners • Discussing the possibility of 1 day per week of teaching for the Engineering Diploma • Already involved in interviewing prospective students for the Engineering Diploma

7. Promoting Diplomas • Externally • Recently held open evenings for local students and parents involving employers and other partners to promote both the Construction and Built Environment Diplomas and Engineering Diplomas • Internally • Holding conference of admissions tutor for Health, Social Work, Education and Criminology and Law to begin to familiarise Admissions Tutors with the Diploma curriculum

8. Progression – National Position • UCAS Tariff • Diplomas have now been included within the Tariff • Maximum points assigned • PGL – approx 2.5 A levels – 300 points • ASL – approx 1 A level – 120 points • Points for other grades to be confirmed but on the same basis as A level programmes • Institutions publishing general statements • Institutions developing entry requirements for specific courses

9. Progression to Sheffield Hallam University • Advanced Diplomas will be accepted on the same basis as other level 3 qualifications within the UCAS Tariff • Suitability of some individual courses will depend on the subject content of the Advanced Diploma studied • Where subject content of a level 3 Diploma is appropriate applicants will receive offers at same Tariff level as applicants studying A levels and BTEC qualifications

10. Current Priorities • Mapping the content of individual diplomas to the current course entry requirements to identify progression routes • Considering the Literacy and Numeracy content of Diplomas, particularly in relation to courses with external entry requirements e.g. education

11. Advice To Prospective Applicants • We would encourage potential applicants to consider studying Diplomas if they wish to progress to Sheffield Hallam University • We would advise them to seek confirmation that the Diploma they wish to study is suitable for the course they intend to progress to