Five new vocational diploma courses have been launched to ensure school leavers are better prepared for work.

The five new qualifications - in hospitality; manufacturing and product design; business, administration and finance; environmental and land-based studies; and hair and beauty - have been designed as potential replacements for GCSE and A-level qualifications.

The Government launched five diploma qualifications last September - in construction and the built environment; creative and media; engineering; society, health and development; and IT - but only 12,000 students took part. Ministers were originally hoping 40,000-50,000 young people would want to get involved, so it is hoped the new qualifications will prompt interest.

The news follows a report from the National Foundation for Educational Research. It found the universities it surveyed see diplomas as ‘excellent preparation' for higher education.

Schools minister Iain Wright said: "Universities strongly support the diploma and view it as an excellent preparation for higher education."

He added: "These new diplomas will offer even more choice to young people to help them make the most of their talents and interests."