Extended Project Qualification
{{Short description|Educational qualification in England and Wales}}
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Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a qualification taken by some students in England and Wales, which is equivalent to 50% of an A-Level. Graded A*–E and worth up to 28 UCAS tariff points,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=EPQ: Performance tables|url=https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/projects/project-qualifications/EPQ-7993/why-choose/Performance-tables|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-12-01|website=AQA|language=en}} it is part of level three of the national qualifications framework.{{Cite web|title=The Sixth Form at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi 2017-18|url=https://issuu.com/cranleighabudhabi/docs/sixth_form_brochure_issuu}}
The extended project was devised by Sir Mike Tomlinson in 2006, during his review of 16 to 19-year-olds' education,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5019590.stm | title=Schools consulted on new project | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC | location=UK | date=May 2006 | accessdate=18 April 2010 }} and entered a pilot phase during the academic year 2007–8.{{Cite report|title=Uptake and results in the Extended Project Qualification 2008-2015|last1=Gill |first1=Tim|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED626087.pdf|publisher=Cambridge Assessment|date=March 2016|accessdate=16 November 2023}} It was a compulsory part of the 14–19 Diploma taken by students in England and Wales between 2008 and 2013.{{Cite web|title=Introducing the EPQ|url=https://www.schoolsearch.co.uk/news/introducing-the-epq|publisher=John Catt Educational|date=November 2019|accessdate=10 November 2023}}
Description
All students may take an extended project as a free-standing qualification, this following a 2009 recommendation by the examination boards of England and Wales (Edexcel, OCR, AQA, WJEC, Eduqas and CIE), and England's former qualifications authority, the QCA.{{cite news |date=12 May 2009 |title=Extended project for all call |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8045593.stm |accessdate=18 April 2010}} By introducing EPQs it was hoped that students would be better prepared for study at university or begin a career, by developing skills in research,{{cite journal|last1=Cripps|first1=Ellie|last2=Anderson|first2=Chloe|last3=Strauss|first3=Paul|last4=Wheeler|first4=Richard|title=Fostering independent research skills and critical enquiry among school students: A case study of a school–university partnership to support the Extended Project Qualification |journal=Research for All |date=2018 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=323–334 |doi=10.18546/RFA.02.2.10|doi-access=free}} problem solving, critical thinking, writing,{{cite conference|chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368987356|chapter=Written Communication Apprehension Experienced by First-Year Undergraduate Accounting Students|conference=17th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference|location=Valencia, Spain|doi=10.21125/inted.2023.0322|date=March 2023|title=INTED2023 Proceedings |volume=1 |pages=1082-1091 }} and independent learning.
There are few restrictions on the topic a student chooses, but it must be approved by the supervisor or institution and it must demonstrate that it either derives from one of the student's study areas or from an area of personal interest to the student.{{Cite web|title=Level 3 Extended Project Qualification: Specification at a glance|url=https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/projects/project-qualifications/EPQ-7993/specification-at-a-glance}}{{cite web|title=Shelley College Sixth Form Prospectus |url=https://www.shelleycollege.org/attachments/download.asp?file=1758&type=pdf}} It takes the form of either a dissertation (5,000 words being a common guideline){{cite web|title=Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) specification|url=http://store.aqa.org.uk/over/pdf/AQA-9990-EPQ-W-SP.PDF| publisher=AQA| accessdate=18 September 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005050623/http://store.aqa.org.uk/over/pdf/AQA-9990-EPQ-W-SP.PDF|archivedate=5 October 2011}}{{cite web|title=Extended Project: Centre handbook/specification|url=http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_12625_kd_project_spec.pdf|publisher=OCR|accessdate=18 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320022436/http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_12625_kd_project_spec.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}} or a number of other forms: a musical or dramatical composition, report or artefact, backed up with paperwork. According to the QCA, an extended project is "a single piece of work requiring a high degree of planning, preparation, research, and autonomous working."
David MacKay, head of the 14–19 curriculum at the QCA, was in favour of EPQs, saying in 2009: "Extended projects can help students to develop and demonstrate a range of valuable skills through pursuing their interests and investigating topics in more depth." It has also been praised by universities for guiding students into higher education (typically universities). Some universities will give a reduced conditional offer to a student who is undertaking an EPQ, or will recognise the EPQ as demonstrating a strong interest in a certain area.{{Cite web |title=Extended Project and universities |url=https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-project-qualification/about-the-project-qualification/about-level-3-project-qualification/the-edexcel-extended-project-and-universities.html |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=qualifications.pearson.com}}
The EPQ is equivalent to half an A-level and is graded from A* to E. The UCAS points awarded for the EPQ correspond to these grades as follows:
- A* = 28 UCAS points
- A = 24 UCAS points
- B = 20 UCAS points
- C = 16 UCAS points
- D = 12 UCAS points
- E = 8 UCAS points
Effect of the 2020 pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the summer of 2020 EPQ grades were awarded according to assessments made by teachers.{{Cite web|title=Changes to awarding of GCSE, AS and A level: a guide for teachers, student, parents & carers: summer 2020|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-awarding-of-gcse-as-and-a-level-guide-for-teachers-student-parents-carers-summer-2020|access-date=2020-08-21|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{National Qualifications Framework}}
Category:2006 establishments in England
Category:2006 establishments in Wales