Diplomas

Please see the timetables and key dates page for a calendar of key dates for the Diploma.

Starting out

For each Diploma learner that you have enrolled at your centre, you should obtain a unique learner number (ULN) from the Learner Registration Service.

This unique 10-digit number will enable the Diploma component results to be linked together for Diploma certification.

To generate or check an existing ULN, please refer to the Learner Registration Service.

For more information about the ULN, see our ULN advice sheet.

^Go to top

Component arrangements

Diplomas are made up of a number of parts or components, e.g. Principal Learning and Project qualifications. Most Diploma components are standalone qualifications and, apart from ensuring that a valid ULN is included with the entry, there are no major differences from the standard OCR administrative processes.

Any centre within the consortium can make entries; however, the centre that makes the entries is responsible for submitting marks, applying for special consideration and receiving results, etc.

Guidance for the Principal Learning and Project qualifications can be found in the following guides:

For guidance on other components, such as OCR Nationals or Functional Skills, see the individual admin guides.

More information about Additional and Specialist Learning is available in the information sheet below.

^Go to top

Prior achievement

Learners are able to include qualifications taken from as far back as January 2005 as part of their Diploma. Qualifications achieved before the learner account (see below) is opened are known as Prior achievement.

Please refer to the Diploma catalogues for details of which qualifications can count towards a particular Diploma.

To be credited to a learner account, please complete the prior achievement form below and email it to priorachievement@ocr.org.uk.

Guidance on completing the form is also provided below.

^Go to top

Diploma arrangements

You need to register with the Diploma Aggregation Service and set up OCR as one your Diploma awarding bodies.

You should open a learner account for each Diploma learner. At this point, you may wish to register OCR as their DAB. This is free of charge and will enable us to provide detailed support to centres for these learners.

As long as there is a learner account and a valid ULN, learners' component results will be sent automatically to their learner account by the component awarding bodies.

To claim a Diploma for your learners, you can use the Diploma Aggregation Service in either of the following ways:

  • Make an intention to claim (ITC) before the component results are available. As soon as a valid combination of results is received, the Diploma Aggregation Service will send a Diploma claim and trial grade to OCR automatically.
  • Claim the Diploma manually once all the component results have been issued.

Once OCR receives your claim from the DAS, we will make Diploma grades available on OCR Interchange, where you can view statements of results for candidates who have successfully completed the Diploma. OCR will then issue a certificate and a Diploma transcript.

^Go to top