Curriculum Leader

Mr Donald Lowndes-Sanderson

Entry Requirements

Active interest in self-directed learning. As it is another qualification it is preferable that the student does three subjects only although this is not a barrier.

Why choose Extended Project Qualification?

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.

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Summary of Assessment

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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How will I learn?

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.

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All degrees look favourably on EPQ

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Many careers/professions look favourably on EPQ as it gives the students a chance for independent thinking, personal motivation and time management.

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Further Course Information

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-W-7993-SP-19.PDF

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