Universities do as they said they would

Diplomas seen as excellent preparation for higher education - DCSF new report 24/8/09

The research, published today (24.08.09) by the National Foundation for Educational Research, found that all universities questioned would welcome applications from the first Diploma cohort in 2010.

The NFER report also found that:

• Russell Group universities (20 major research-intensive universities) are strongly supportive of the breadth of learning and range of skills that Diploma students develop.
• University Vice Chancellors are confident that Diplomas will deliver the qualities they want in undergraduate students: flexible, independent working and experience of a work placement.
• Universities are enthusiastic about the Extended Project – a crucial component of the Diploma – and felt it developed the learning skills universities look for: critical thinking; analysis; and research skills.
• Universities welcome the opportunity to widen participation to higher education, commenting that Diplomas will bring new types of student and new styles of learning into higher education