Extended Project Qualification

What is the Extended Project Qualification?

This is an independent piece of research. It is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to half an “A” level. EPQ is graded, and carries the same UCAS points as an AS level except that an A* grade is available. At Greenhead we offer EPQ to AS students as they embark on their A2 courses.

Why choose the Extended Project?

• The Extended Project offers you a unique opportunity to develop essential skills for higher education and the workplace, in a subject area of your own choice.
• The Extended Project gives you more control over your studies than ever before. You have a free choice of project topic, so you can choose to explore a further aspect of a subject you're studying, or another subject, or choose a topic in which you have a personal interest.
• This level of choice and flexibility means you are engaged and motivated, and gain valuable research and project management skills along the way.

How is it taught?

At Greenhead we arrange students in groups depending on your area of interest. You will meet with a member of staff (supervisor) weekly to discuss your progress and to guide you and help you develop the necessary skills to complete a successful project eg. Referencing and research skills.

What is expected of you?

Students have to:

• Choose a topic to study,
• Complete a production log to document the project process,
• Plan, research and carry out their project, and
• Prepare and deliver a presentation on the outcome.

How is it assessed?

The assessment covers both the process and the end product. The final project, plus the production log, will be assessed as a whole, according to a generic set of marking criteria. We'll be looking at how well students identify and use resources, carry out research, develop their ideas to realise an outcome and then reflect on the outcome and the process.

Student comments

On completion of the project students review and reflect on the process. Here are some extracts from their reports:

• Completing this project has developed the skills I will require to confidently and successfully complete a research task at University.
• I am now able to express and justify my own opinions on the controversial issues surrounding my chosen topic
• My detailed research gave me confidence when I was asked questions about the project in my university interviews.
• I found the extended project a challenging but interesting way to explore an issue of interest at greater depth than I would otherwise have done.
• This is the first piece of work I’ve been wholly in charge of both in terms of the chosen topic and how I wish to approach it.
• I was surprised what an enjoyable and rewarding experience it was to complete the EPQ. I have gained a much greater appreciation of the importance of time management and the need to set realistic deadlines.
• I learnt a lot about my chosen topic but more skills than I thought.
  

Advice from Student to New Students

• Record everything! The Production Log is a necessary part of the assessment process
• Make use of a wide range of resources including journals which contain up-to-date information.
• A detailed project plan was essential to help me complete my targets.
• Keep track of your references as you go along.
• Pick a topic that is of genuine interest to you then your enthusiasm will help engage the audience during the presentation.
• Be careful about time management you will have other coursework deadlines to meet in your “A” level subjects.
• Careful use of images makes the project look more interesting.

Teachers' Resources

• Conference presentation
• Helping with your research
• Midterm review
• End of project review
• Project monitoring check list
• Promotional poster