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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,[1] it is part of level three of the national qualifications framework.[2]

The extended project was devised by Sir Mike Tomlinson in 2006, during his review of 16- to 19-year-olds' education,[3] and entered a pilot phase during the academic year 2007-8.[4] It was a compulsory part of the 14–19 Diploma taken by students in England and Wales between 2008 and 2013.[5]

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.[6] By introducing EPQs it was hoped that students would be better prepared for study at university or begin a career, by developing skills[6] in research,[6][7] problem solving,[7] critical thinking,[6][7] writing,[6][8] and independent learning.[7]

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.[9][10] It takes the form of either a dissertation (5,000 words being a common guideline[11][12]) 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."[3]

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).[6] 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.[13]

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.[14]

References

  1. ^ "EPQ: Performance tables". AQA. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  2. ^ "The Sixth Form at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi 2017-18".
  3. ^ a b "Schools consulted on new project". BBC News. UK: BBC. May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  4. ^ Gill, Tim (March 2016). Uptake and results in the Extended Project Qualification 2008-2015 (PDF) (Report). Cambridge Assessment. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Introducing the EPQ". John Catt Educational. November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Extended project for all call". BBC News. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d Cripps, Ellie; Anderson, Chloe; Strauss, Paul; Wheeler, Richard (2018). "Fostering independent research skills and critical enquiry among school students: A case study of a school–university partnership to support the Extended Project Qualification". Research for All. 2 (2): 323–334. doi:10.18546/RFA.02.2.10.
  8. ^ "Written Communication Apprehension Experienced by First-Year Undergraduate Accounting Students". INTED2023 Proceedings. 17th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference. Vol. 1. Valencia, Spain. March 2023. pp. 1082–1091. doi:10.21125/inted.2023.0322.
  9. ^ "Level 3 Extended Project Qualification: Specification at a glance".
  10. ^ "Shelley College Sixth Form Prospectus".
  11. ^ "Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) specification" (PDF). AQA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Extended Project: Centre handbook/specification" (PDF). OCR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  13. ^ "Extended Project and universities". qualifications.pearson.com. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Changes to awarding of GCSE, AS and A level: a guide for teachers, student, parents & carers: summer 2020". GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
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