Local Universities' Response to Diplomas Sheffield Hallam University

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Local Universities' Response to Diplomas
Sheffield Hallam University

• Phil Bloor
• Admissions Service Manager
• 18 March 2008

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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

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How is this reflected in Practice?

• Engagement in Diploma development
• Planning for progression of Diploma students to
  Sheffield Hallam University

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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