Introduction
What is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
EPQ is an A-level standard standalone qualification designed to extend and develop your abilities beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare for university or your 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 your to lead your own projects. You get to plan and carry out research on a topic that you’ve chosen and isn’t covered by your other qualifications. You can take inspiration from something touched on in class or something personal and unrelated to your studies. You 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, such as:
- improved A Level performance
- increasing motivation, by allowing you to study topics of personal interest
- enabling you to apply their new skills to other areas of study