Close down and scaling back of Diploma Services

QCDA information:

In total, more than 11,150 students received Diplomas at Advanced, Progression, Higher and Foundation level through the Diploma aggregation service (DAS). This figure is over twice the number of learners who were awarded a Diploma in summer 2010. We also supported twice as many Diploma centres and component awarding bodies as we did last year.

In line with QCDA's remit from the Department for Education, our dedicated support for schools, colleges and awarding bodies involved in Diploma administration has now finished. From the week starting 12 September, all non-essential guidance materials for Diploma administration will be removed from the QCDA website.

Our centre support officers are still available to answer questions from centres about Diploma administration, as they do for other general qualifications. Awarding bodies will still receive support with DAS through DAS Technical Support at dastechnicalsupport@Steria.co.uk.

Guidance on the use of DAS will still be available on the QCDA website at www.qcda.gov.uk/das until DAS transfers to the Department for Education in November. The DfE will then become responsible for DAS guidance.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions relating to Diploma awarding, please contact the DAS Service Management Team at das_service_management_team@qcda.gov.uk.