Higher Education
Please click here for the the Diploma in Hospitality principal learning themes. For the full Diploma in Hospitality Companion document please follow the links to the downloads section.
It was reported at a recent meeting of the steering group advising, on the development of the Hospitality Diploma, that there is a problem in getting higher education institutions to 'engage' with the Diploma in Hospitality and the new diplomas in general. In short, higher education institutions are not fully aware of the nature of the Diploma in Hospitality, the new diplomas as a concept, and the likely impact of the Diploma in Hospitality on those universities offering hospitality based degrees.
People 1st are engaged in a drive to raise awareness of the Diploma in Hospitality, in higher education institutions, through presentations to higher education academics and through targeted publications. Getting the Hospitality Diploma message across to higher education establishments, academics and admissions officers is important for a number of reasons. It is important so that:
- Higher education academics, engaged in Hospitality related education, are aware of the content and structure of the Diploma in Hospitality and how the content might relate to the provision in their university or college.
- Higher education establishments are aware of the 'nature' of diploma students entering the higher education sector, ie, the likely past experience of diploma students and how these students 'may' be different to traditional A level entrants. Diploma students will be academically qualified but also hospitality industry experienced.
- The university sector is aware of the nature of the competition that might emerge, i.e., that schools and further education institution consortia who are offering the 14 to 18 Diploma in Hospitality might also involve further education colleges who are simultaneously offering hospitality foundation degrees. Universities offering hospitality based higher education may need to develop a response to a situation in which it is possible for students to complete most of their hospitality education outside of the 'traditional' university sector. This might be important to the sector in a context of increasing university fees and a progressive demographic downturn in the number of 18 year olds.
- Higher education academics and admissions tutors are aware of the level of diploma qualifications, for admissions purposes, and how diploma qualifications relate to and equate with other qualifications. The Diploma in Hospitality is worth a potential 420 UCAS points to any student.
- Higher education institutions are aware of the change occurring in pre-degree hospitality education and how the content of the Diploma in Hospitality and associated assessment instruments, might force change upon the provision in their institution, ie, the potential need to 'up' their provision or have 'fast track' routes for students holding the Diploma in Hospitality given the content of this diploma.
- Higher education institutions are aware of the generic structure of all diplomas. It is likely hospitality higher education providers will accept students for entry qualified with any of the new diplomas, just as they do now do with students qualified with any A levels.
- During the 2009/2010 academic year it is intended that People 1st promoted Hospitality Diploma presentations and workshops, for the benefit of higher education academics and admissions tutors, will take place. Presentations and workshops will be held in various regions of the country and will expand on the six points highlighted above.
