For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
The 16-unit BTEC Higher National Diploma provides greater breadth and specialisation than
the BTEC Higher National Certificate. Higher National Diplomas are mode free but are
followed predominately by full-time learners. They allow progression into or within
employment in the design sector, either directly on achieving of the award or following further
study to degree level.
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design provides opportunities for learners to
apply their knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. Full-time learners have the
opportunity to do this through formal work placements or their part-time employment
experience.
The qualification prepares learners for employment in the design sector and will be suitable for
learners who have already decided that they wish to enter this area of work. Some adult learners
may wish to make the commitment required by this qualification in order to enter a specialist
area of employment in design or progress into higher education. Other learners may want to
extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC Higher National Certificate programme.
Progression from this qualification may well be into or within employment in the design sector.
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design mainly offers a progression route for
learners who are studying on an Art and Design Diploma in Foundation Studies course, a
National Diploma in Design or a National Diploma in Art and Design.
Learners studying on the BTEC Higher National Diploma will be able to either gain
employment in the design sector or continue their studies at BA or MA levels.
The specifications and associated support material for all BTEC qualifications will provide guidance on the assessment strategies to be adopted by centres. They will also set out the quality assurance processes that will be used by Edexcel to ensure that assessment decisions are confirmed, before certification is authorised. Work from all learners will be subject to objective assessment by a nominated individual who will be independent of the centre and the learner. Edexcel will approve the arrangements established by each centre and review its operation to ensure continuing effectiveness.
The BTEC Higher Nationals will normally include an integrative project unit in the Core units and it is likely that this would provide a suitable focus for the independent assessment. The appropriateness of this project unit for independent assessment will be reviewed on a sector by sector basis and where appropriate alternative proposals will be made in the qualification submission.
Candidates must complete all seven core units from group A and nine specialist units from group B