How have universities reacted to the Diploma?
A. Higher Education has welcomed the Diploma – 79 universities will be involved in local Diploma partnerships from 2009. The full specification for the Diploma was only available in September 2007 and since then universities have gone through a process of detailed scrutiny. Many were waiting for the decision of the universities admissions service, UCAS, in December 2007 on how the Advanced Diploma compared to A levels. UCAS ruled that it was equivalent to three and a half A levels. This decision means that the Advanced Diploma will be a recognised route into Higher Education. The Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment will enable young people to apply for a range of university courses. Some departments will specify what Additional Specialist Learning should be undertaken as part of Diploma studies, for example Civil Engineering departments are likely to ask for additional Mathematics. We advise students to check entry requirements with the universities they intend a
