Structure of the Diplomas

Diplomas are built around three main components of learning

  • AQA-City & Guilds Principal Learning
    Involves students acquiring the underpinning knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes relevant to the subjects they are studying and provides the opportunity to apply these skills in work situations. It will involve both simulated and real work situations, with an emphasis on ‘Learning by doing’.

    • Take a walk through our sample materials online.

  • Additional and Specialist Learning
    The Additional and Specialist Learning component of the AQA-City and Guilds Diploma can be achieved through a comprehensive range of accredited qualifications from Technical certificates through to AS Level, all catalogued at the National Database of Accredited Qualifications website.

    Nelson Thornes, as one of the leading educational publishers, has an extensive range of resources supporting these numerous qualifications.  Texts available range from AQA AS Media Studies, exclusively endorsed by AQA, through to A Building Craft Foundation, a recommended title for AQA-City & Guilds Construction and the Built Environment Principal Learning.

    Search our comprehensive bank of resources for the support you and your students need to deliver their chosen route of learning click here. 

    NB: Front list publications not yet printed may not appear online, for specific enquires about support for Additional and Specialist Learning call our customer services team on 01242 267268.

  • Project
    Level 1 and Level 2 Projects are compulsory elements of the Generic Learning components within the Foundation and Higher Diplomas - respectively. Introduced in September 2008 the Project component of the Diploma must either compliment or develop the Principal Learning component of the Diploma or support the learner’s progression and development.

    These sector related projects enable students to explore a topic in greater depth or breadth, giving learners greater autonomy to pursue an area of interest.

    Projects require learners to demonstrate planning, delivery and presentation skills at Level 1 or Level 2 and can be presented in a variety of different ways, from a written report to a performance or piece of art, a CD or DVD or even a community project.

    Projects can also be studied as stand alone qualifications and are the equivalent to:
    Level 1 Project – GCSE short course (graded D – G)
    Level 2 Project – GCSE short course (graded A* – C)

  • Extended Project
    The Extended Project qualification is a compulsory component of the Advanced Diploma. It requires learners to demonstrate planning, delivery and presentation skills at Level 3 and must either complement or develop the Principal Learning component of their Diploma.

    • The project topic is chosen by the learner and agreed by his or her teacher, who then acts as the project mentor.  Learners are required to:

    1. Choose a study topic

    2. Complete a production log to document the project process

    3. Plan, research and carry out their project

    4. Present their findings.

    This free standing qualification can also be taken as an extension to other academic or vocational qualifications such as GCSE's and NVQs and can also be studied alongside AS and A2 awards.

    The Extended Project is equivalent to half an A Level programme of study and is graded A* – E. 

    Nelson Thornes are developing interactive resources to support both teachers and learners through the Project component of the new Diplomas. 
    Register here for updates on forthcoming project support material.

     

  • Functional Skills
    For more information about AQA Functional Skills resources follow this link: functional sklills