EPQ

The extended project (Level 3) is a qualification students can select to take alongside their A-Level subjects. It is awarded a A* - E grade and attracts half the UCAS points of a full A-Level and some universities will use these points as part of their offer. The Extended Project is a stand-alone qualification that is outside the student's main area of study and can arise from a personal interest or hobby as well as from subjects studied at school. Universities are viewing the Extended Project very positively and some are starting to give students slightly differentiated offers if they hold an EPQ qualification. For example, some universities slightly amend offers to students in their core A-Level subjects to reflect the fact that they are also c ompleting an EPQ.

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.

Students will be assigned a supervisor who will act as an advisor during the process to help guide them through the process.

What form can the project take and what skills does it develop?
The project can take the form of:

• 5,000 word written report
• Artefact or product - this can include films, music, models or a piece of scientific research alongside a 1,000 word report.

All students will also carry out a presentation to an invited audience during which they will be questioned about their project and research.