Row as new diplomas for hair and beauty given same weight as 3.5 A-levels

Students who do well in flagship diploma qualifications will gain more credit for their school or college than sixth-formers scoring three As at A-level.

This is despite three A-levels taking more study time than the new qualifications.

Diplomas spanning 17 vocational and academic subjects are being phased in from next September.

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Schools Secretary Ed Balls predicted they will become the "qualification of choice" for pupils and refused to guarantee the future of A-levels after 2013.

But the credibility of the diplomas was called into question last night after it emerged that all 17 at advanced level will equate to threeanda-half A- will be able to make up the difference by completing an optional extended project, worth half an A-level, which is already a compulsory feature of the diploma.

Critics attacked the new qualifications as "confused" and "dreamt up by bureaucrats" after details emerged of attempts to inject academic content into job-related diplomas.

Initial syllabuses for the hair and beauty diploma reveal that pupils will study ancient Egyptian makeup and hairstyles in society.

Sixth-formers taking a creative media diploma will be asked to 'critically respond to a range of computer games' and discuss why enthusiasts like playing them.

Other suggested activities include printing banners for a party and performing stand-up comedy routines.

Top marks in these qualifications will be worth more than three As at A-level, for example in maths, physics and chemistry.

And they will also be worth the same as diplomas in science, humanities and languages when these become available in 2011.

However diplomas appear to involve less subject-related study than A-levels.

There should be 900 taught hours plus 90 hours work experience and 60 hours "personal, learning and thinking skills".

A-levels each involve 360 taught hours, giving 1,080 for three.

Natalie Evans of the British Chambers of Commerce said: "If the diplomas are to improve skills, it is crucial that they are credible for business and universities.

"It is a serious concern of ours that the Russell Group of universities [20 elite institutions] are still not sure about the true credibility of the diplomas."

The two lower levels of diploma, aimed at 14 to 16-year-olds, will have GCSE equivalence.

The "foundation diploma" will be worth five GCSEs at grade A* to G while the "higher diploma" will count for seven GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said diplomas should be a preparation for "the most demanding university courses".

"The diplomas are an exciting new set of qualifications that will help more young people make the most of their talents and potential," he said.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Pupils can now be confident they will study valuable, first- class qualifications when they take a diploma, and universities and colleges can be assured of their quality."