What is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)?
EPQ is an A-level standard standalone qualification designed to extend and develop students’ abilities beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare them for university or their future careers. It can be taken as an extension of other Level 3 qualifications or vocational qualifications. The EPQ is worth half an A-level (28 UCAS points) and is 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. They get to plan and carry out research on a topic of their choice that isn’t covered by their other qualifications. This topic can be inspired by something touched on in class or be entirely personal and unrelated to their studies. Students 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 the EPQ
- Boosting student recruitment by making the 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
