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Original poster

A Levels or Level 3 Diploma?

15 replies

Imnotanewbie · 21/06/2022 22:32

Name changed because I’m worried this will somehow out me.

DS would rather go to college after GCSEs than stay on at 6th form. The course he has applied for is level 3 social sciences. He is hoping to go on to do either criminology, psychology or law at university.

The universities we have looked at so far accept the L3 diploma. I’m just a bit worried that A levels are valued more than diplomas. I don’t want to send him down the wrong path. Anyone have any advice? TIA

OP posts:

BeBraveAndBeKind · 21/06/2022 22:50

My oldest did the diploma and got the course he wanted at the uni he wanted. The youngest did A Levels this year and has offers from the unis he was interested in. I didn't see much difference between them really.

magpie1976 · 21/06/2022 22:55

Diplomas are fine and a good equivalent. I work in the sector and have a dc going on to do the same at college. Too many people go on to do A levels when they are the wrong course for them and hence coming out with low grades and a lot of stress. Cwk based diplomas are a great alternative for many students. I'd encourage him if this is what he wants. And great that he knows what he wants to do at uni.

thefirstfortyeight · 22/06/2022 00:11

One of mine did a diploma and got on the university course they wanted - it was much better for them than A-Levels due to the ongoing coursework.

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TeenPlusCat · 22/06/2022 06:50

Assume you are talking about the Level 3 Extended Diploma which is the 'equivalent' of 3 A levels.

A levels are more 'generic' so keep more options open. But only if the young person is interested and will succeed with the A levels and wants to keep more options open.
If he works hard and does well in the Diploma and comes out with Distinctions or even better Distinction * s then that will be far better than mediocre A levels.

If you have already checked that his intended uni courses accept the Diploma then that's fine.

What I would check though is why ? Is it the course he wants, or the 'freedom' from school? Does he understand how the course works and is graded? Is it a point of the grass is greener elsewhere or a real positive choice?

He needs to 'hit the ground running' as they start assessments pretty quickly so doing poorly right at the start can impact final grades.

Needmorelego · 22/06/2022 07:51

What is this obsession with A levels on Mumsnet?
He has chosen a perfectly fine equivalent qualification. Why on earth you think this would 'out' you I don't know as 100s of teens will be doing this diploma.

TeenPlusCat · 22/06/2022 08:08

Needmorelego · 22/06/2022 07:51

The OP isn't saying it's not a fine qualification, but she is rightly checking the implications of it. She doesn't want her son to get a year in and suddenly find that doors are closed to him that he wants to go through.

FrancescaJade1 · 22/06/2022 08:14

Level 3 diploma is just as good....good on him.

Original poster

Imnotanewbie · 22/06/2022 11:24

I’m worried it would out me if someone was to read some of the posts I have made using my regular username. I’m going through a tough time at the moment with an ongoing court case. I feel very stressed and vulnerable at the moment.

OP posts:

Original poster

Imnotanewbie · 22/06/2022 11:27

Message above is replying to @Needmorelego.
Thank you for the replies. It has helped to put my mind at ease. I would feel terrible if he made a choice that affected his chance of uni later on.
@TeenPlusCat he just wants a change of scenery. He’s not really enjoyed his time at school. He understands college won’t be easier than staying on at school.

OP posts:

TeenPlusCat · 22/06/2022 11:35

Do you have any colleges that offer A levels? I guess not? Colleges are v different set up to schools. (Everything is colleges where I am in Hants.)

Tropicalsunshine · 22/06/2022 12:04

Social sciences sounds good.
My DD did a media one and although she got a distinction only media type courses at uni will accept it and that's no longer what she wants to do! A spread of A levels would have been better for her.

wetpebbles · 22/06/2022 12:07

One of mine did A levels for a year but found the sheer amount of reading and writing stressful to a point where affecting their mental health so swapped onto a diploma and much happier

MissyCooperismyShero · 22/06/2022 13:10

Honestly? Excellent A levels are better than an excellent diploma. If he would get excellent A levels he should do them.

chickma · 22/06/2022 13:13

I went to college and did a level three diploma. I loved it, which meant I left with two A's and one B grade- which i'm pretty certain is better than I'd have got if I'd done A levels.

The grades are given equivalent UCAS points for university- at least that was the case back then- so that put me in a better position when applying for uni.

TeenPlusCat · 22/06/2022 13:17

MissyCooperismyShero · 22/06/2022 13:10

Honestly? Excellent A levels are better than an excellent diploma. If he would get excellent A levels he should do them.

I think you may need to define what you mean by 'better'.
I suspect they may be more flexible, in that there may be some uni courses closed off by a BTEC that would remain open by A levels, but not vice versa.

However BTECs teach skills not covered in A levels, and some would argue that BTECs better prepare for university type work.

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