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1.0 Introduction

What is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

EPQ is an A-level standard standalone qualification designed to extend and develop your students' abilities beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare for university or their future career.

it can be taken as an extension of other Level 3 qualifications or vocational qualifications

it's worth half an A-level (28 UCAS points)

it's recognised by universities and employers

many universities make lower A-level offers to students undertaking an EPQ.

How it works

The EPQ allows students to lead their own projects. Students get to plan and carry out research on a topic that they've chosen and isn't covered by their other qualifications. They can take inspiration from something touched on in class or something personal and unrelated to their studies. They then use this research to produce a written report and, in the case of practical projects, an artefact or a production.

By taking responsibility for the choice, design and decision making of an individual project (or an individual role in a group project) students:

become more critical, reflective and independent learners

develop and apply decision-making and problem-solving skills

increase their planning, research, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills

learn to apply technologies confidently

demonstrate creativity, initiative and enterprise.

Undertaking an EPQ can also deliver other benefits for students and schools, such as:

improved A Level performance for students taking EPQ

boosting student recruitment by making your curriculum more attractive

increasing student motivation by allowing them to study topics of personal interest

enabling students to apply their new skills to other areas of study.

Performance table points and UCAS points

Our tables of information show how the EPQ counts towards Performance table points and UCAS points.

1.1 What's different about our Projects Qualifications?

Guided learning hours

We recommend 30 guided learning hours for the taught skills element, maximising time for independent learning. This is approximately a quarter of the overall time for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and half the time for the Level 2 Higher Project Qualification and Level 1 Foundation Project Qualification when students need more support.

Assessment

Each of the project qualifications has only one comprehensive mark scheme that can be applied to any type of project. This ensures comparability and gives teachers the confidence to mark each project fairly.

The Production log

Our Production log is the most supportive framework for your students to complete their projects.

It has a clear structure that supports students to meet university expectations for creative projects, scientific investigations and practical EPQs.

Production log administration is minimal - we've stripped out the unnecessary administration but maintained the supportive framework that you told us is vital to the success of your students.

Resources

We have a wide range of exemplar materials and commentaries. These are available on Centre Services to help you feel confident in your assessment of project work. We also have a comprehensive set of guides which explain the EPQ project process. They've been created to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.

Teacher support

We offer free face to face standardisation meetings to new centres and a range of CPD courses, both face to face and online, to support you to deliver these unique qualifications.

Projects community

Many universities and higher education institutions work directly with schools and colleges to support EPQ students and provide expertise in the taught skills and project development process. Find out more by visiting the page for each university using these community links.

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AQA | Projects | Level Three | Level 3 Extended Project Qualification

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EPQ is an A-level standard standalone qualification designed to extend and develop your students’ abilities beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare for university or their future career.

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See our at-a-glance guide showing how the EPQ counts towards UCAS points.

UCAS points

Grade - UCAS points

A* - 28

A - 24

B - 20

C - 16

D - 12

E - 8

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2.0 Specification at a glance

The Extended Project is a Level 3 qualification first assessed in November 2008. It can contribute to programmes of study as a stand-alone qualification. Students may choose to take the Extended Project Qualification as an extension from studies for any other qualifications at Level 3.

The Extended Project will develop and extend from one or more of the student’s study areas and/or from an area of personal interest or activity outside their main programme of study. It will be based on a topic chosen by the student(s) and agreed as appropriate by the centre.

Delivery of the Extended Project Qualification in centres will involve some teaching of the necessary skills, supervision and assessment of the student’s progress. It will involve extended autonomous work by the student. It will require in total 120 guided learning hours.

Students are required, with appropriate supervision, to:

choose an area of interest

draft a title and aims of the project for formal approval by the centre

plan, research and carry out the project

deliver a presentation to a non specialist audience

provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment.

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There are several universities and colleges who provide online advice and tips to those studying an EPQ.

These sometimes require registering via email and then invitations for zoom classes, lectures can be seen.

Channel Talent

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A guide to referencing in the Harvard Style and the difference between a reference list and bibliography.

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The guide on Harvard referencing from the Open University provides a concise overview of how to cite sources correctly using the Harvard style