Independent schools are shunning the government's new diploma qualification (starting in September) because it is too complex, according to the Guardian.. Instead they are opting for the International Baccalaureate or the new Cambridge Pre-U. The CBI has recently given the thumbs down to three of the new academic diplomas and many top universities have yet to endorse the scheme for admissions purposes. Although the aim was to start with 50,000 students this September, only 20, 000 have yet been signed up.