Course Description

The Extended Project is a Level 3 qualification which is an extension from any other qualifications at Level 3 (A-Level, BTEC, other academic or vocational qualification) The Extended Project will develop and extend from one or more of a student’s studies 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 and agreed as appropriate. The project is worth 50% of an A level in terms of tariff points and is marked at A level standard (grades A* - E).

The EPQ is taken in Year 12 only.

Contact:	Mrs S Nash	Exam Board:	AQA
QAN:	60095349	Subject Code:	Ep

Course Content

 Students are required, with 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.This might be a 5000 word investigative report or the creation of an artefact (dance, garment, creative piece, model, set design, engineering model etc.) with a minimum of 1000 word report outlining the research and artefact production process
• Deliver a presentation to a non-specialist audience
• Provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment by filling out a log book

Delivery and Lesson Structure

The Extended Project Qualification involves some teaching of the necessary skills.  This is made up of two single lessons a fortnight and six further lectures over the year, covering the key skills needed as well as the student’s independent work with individual supervision and guidance from a supervisor. The taught elements include:

• Research skills including the ability to search for and identify suitable sources of information in the chosen subject area
• Skills or techniques that will be required for the safe and effective execution of the project which are not part of the student’s course of study e.g. conducting risk assessment, assessing the ethical principles of project proposals and research, ethical guidelines, research methodology
• Project management skills including time, resource and task management, Gantt charts
• The format and structure of accepted academic forms of research report
• Referencing, the evaluation of sources and the prevention of plagiarism
• Presentation skills

Why should I take this qualification?

An EPQ gives students a chance to: broaden their level 3 qualifications; to pursue an area outside of their subject area that interests them; to challenge themselves and to learn valuable skills that will prepare them for university and higher level study. In addition, a number of universities will lower their offers for students who have completed an EPQ. Some of the most competitive institutions welcome the breadth that an EPQ demonstrates.

What do the universities say?

We welcome the Extended Project and would encourage applicants to undertake one as it will help to develop independent study and research skills valuable for higher education. 

Cambridge University

The University values the Extended Project and its role in preparing students for a successful higher education experience and would wish to recognise and encourage this extended piece of independent work undertaken by the learner.

Exeter University

The University recognises that the EPQ will provide an applicant with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at Oxford. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon relevant EPQ experience when writing their personal statement.

Oxford University

Assessment