Who is it for?

The diploma is a new course for students aged between 14 and 19. 

The Higher Diploma, offered within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is aimed at students who expect to achieve five grades at C or above at GCSE level. It can be taken over two years in Key Stage 4, or over one or two years for students aged 16 years and older.

What are 14 to 19 diplomas?

Diplomas are practical qualifications that are taught partly in school or college and partly in the workplace. They have been designed to allow you to apply the knowledge you have developed at school to assignments that you will complete at work.

Diplomas available to students in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea include: Creative and Media, Construction and the Build Environment, Hair and Beauty Studies and Hospitality. The Higher Diploma is equivalent to seven GCSEs at grades A* to C.

As a Diploma student you will need to:

  • gain qualifications in Functional Skills (English, Maths and ICT)
  • complete 10 days of work experience
  • produce an individual project – this could, for example, be a piece of extended original written work or a performance
  • complete Additional or Specialist Learning in your own school


In all cases, you will follow the Key Stage 4 core curriculum including English, mathematics, science, ICT, PE, RE and Citizenship. The range of choice available will be determined by your school.

What do I get out of doing the 14 to 19 diplomas?

You’ll get skills that employers, universities and colleges really value, like teamwork, creative thinking and problem solving.

When you take a Diploma, you will get the chance to spend at least 10 days working with an employer, experiencing what you’re learning for real.

Diplomas allow you to learn both through theory and practice. So you get to apply your knowledge by doing things in real life. For example, for the Foundation Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, you might build a wall or a gate. For the Creative and Media Diploma, you might develop a performance at a professional theatre venue.

Where can I do these diplomas?

Local Diploma courses will be delivered at the following locations:

Who can I contact for more information?

You can contact your school careers adviser or:


More information about diplomas can also be found at the Diploma website.