 All 14 lines of learning were available at levels 1, 2 and 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.At level 1, the Diploma was known as a Foundation Diploma and was roughly equivalent in terms of challenge and volume of study to 5 GCSE qualifications at grades D - G. At level 2, the Diploma is known as a Higher Diploma which is comparable in terms of challenge and volume of study to 7 A* - C grades at GCSE.At level 3, two sizes of Diploma were available.