Please find below the most frequently asked questions about the Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance (BAF). If you are having technical difficulties please click here to visit our main FAQ page. 

Q. What is the Diploma?
A. The Diploma is a new qualification for 14 to 19 year olds that combines theoretical study with practical activities and develops skills that are highly valued by employers and universities. The Diploma gives students an insight into work and will help them make decisions about their future direction without limiting options. The Diploma will provide the skills and knowledge needed for progression into employment and into further and higher education.

Q. Why is the Diploma being introduced?
A. The Diploma is part of a bigger set of changes to education between the ages of 14 and 19 that will ensure that all young people can choose a qualification that suits their interests and learning style. GCSEs and A levels are also being updated, the number of apprenticeships is being increased to 500,000 and (subject to parliamentary approval) the age to which young people will continue in education or training will be increased to 18.

Q. When and where will the Diplomas be introduced?
A. Schools and colleges in 146 areas across England will offer the Diplomas from September 2008. More will begin teaching it as it is phased in during 2009 to 2011. By 2011 there will be 17 Diploma subjects. Schools and colleges are forming partnerships in their local area so that if a young person wants to take a Diploma that
is not offered at his or her school, there are arrangements in place to ensure that a nearby school or college will be able to do so. In some cases, Diploma students may spend some of their time at school and some at college and in the workplace.

Q. Who will do a Diploma?
A. The Diploma will appeal to students of all abilities and aspirations who like to learn about subjects in practical ways that they can relate to real life. The courses will give a strong grounding in specific subject areas, but will also ensure students have wider skills and personal attributes to prepare them for work in any field and for further and higher education.

Q. Where can I get prospectus information?

A. Please click this link to visit the DCSF website - http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/index.cfm?sid=41

Q. Who has designed the Diploma?
A. Employers and universities have been integral to the creation of the Diploma. They have worked with representatives from schools, colleges and awarding bodies to set out what students with a Diploma need to have learnt. The Diploma will be offered by all the main awarding bodies.

Q. Does doing a Diploma mean choosing a career too early?
A. Students will learn about a broad range of careers in their chosen subject, but many of the skills and qualities they will develop by doing the Diploma are general and valued by all employers and universities, so they are not restricting their options. Also students will be able to switch between the different types of qualification: some may choose to take a Higher Diploma from 14-16, then do A levels or an apprenticeship; or they might do GCSEs, then start an Advanced Diploma at 16.

Q. What about other qualifications?
A. Other qualifications such as GCSEs, A levels and BTECs can be taken as part of a Diploma or as separate subjects alongside it. A levels and GCSEs will continue to be offered until at least the next major review in 2013. Other established qualifications such as BTECs and NVQs will continue to be available in their own right but will also be components of the Diploma. As take up of Diploma grows and the national entitlement is introduced in 2013, we do not expect other qualifications to be available to young people unless they feature in the three main learning pathways: the Diploma, apprenticeships and general qualifications.

Q. What are Functional skills, and how do they fit with Diplomas?
A. Functional skills are the practical English, maths and IT skills that everybody needs to deal with everyday life, for example, writing a letter of application, or working out the value of a car.

The Diploma will contain all three functional skills qualifications. This will ensure that young people secure the right foundation of English, maths and ICT skills needed for progression into employment, college and university.

Passes in functional skills will be required at level 1 for a Level 1 Diploma and at level 2 for a Level 2 or a Level 3 Diploma.

Q. Are Universities going to accept young people with a Diploma?
A. Yes, many universities, such as Warwick, Manchester and Leeds, are backing the Diploma as having the potential to be excellent preparation for university courses. UCAS have awarded the Advanced Diploma a maximum tariff value of 420 points, equivalent to 3.5 A levels or 3 A levels and the Extended Project. The Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTs) and Extended Project will give the thinking, research and independent skills that universities look for in their students. Universities may specify particular combinations of options within a Diploma which reflect their entrance requirements for particular courses.

Q. What is a Diploma worth in the School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables?
A. The Diploma will be available at 3 different levels:
• Foundation - equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G
• Higher - equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C
• Advanced - equivalent to 3.5 A levels

Q. Can the BAF Diploma be taken by distance learning?
A. No, unfortunately the diploma is not currently available by distance learning.

Q. Are there any proposed events taking place in the near future?
A. All our events are advertised on the BAF Website on the News and Events section of this website. Please refer to that section of this site for further information on up coming BAF news and events.

Q. Where can I get the draft specification on the Diploma?
A. As a registered user, you will be able to download the draft specification on the BAF Diploma from the downloads section of this website.

Q. Where can find out about Financial Apprenticeships?
A. For information regarding Financial Apprenticeships, please click here where you will be able to find out more information on Apprenticeships and speak to an advisor about your query.

Q. Where can I find out about information on BAF content?
A. Information on BAF Diploma content is included in the BAF Line of Learning document, which can be downloaded from this website once you are a registered user.