Diplomas


The Diploma is a new qualification for 14–19 year olds that you can do at school or college.  It is different to GCSEs and A Levels because you get a mix of hands-on experience and class work, and find out about an area of work you’re interested in.

Best of all you keep all of your options open with a Diploma. When you finish you can stay at school or College and do another course, or go on to university, do an apprenticeship or go into a job with training.


Bedford College is part of the 14–19 Partnership, which will be offering four Diplomas. These are:

  • Creative & Media (based at Sharnbrook, Wootton and Harlington Upper School
  • Construction & The Built Environment (based at Bedford College)
  • Engineering (based at Samuel Whitbread Community College, in partnership with Bedford College and BTG)
  • Hair & Beauty Studies (based at Bedford College)

By 2013, there will be in total 17 subjects to choose from.