Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Details of the Examination Specification

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) AQA (7993)

What do I know or be able to do before starting this project? 

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is free standing qualification offered by AQA that students can undertake alongside their regular A Level studies. It is a project and process based qualification that involves choosing a topic and carrying out in depth academic research into that particular area, then creating EITHER a 5,000 word report OR a 'product' + a 1,000 word report. 

What skills will I develop? 

The project gives students an opportunity to specialise in a particular area of interest and create a dissertation-style write-up whilst developing a number of independent and academic skills. Three big reasons for undertaking an EPQ are:  

• It gives students academic confidence across the board and provides skills preparation for further education. Students will be able to build skills such as organisation, research methods, academic writing, independence and communication.  

• It helps students stand out and satisfy their own academic curiosities. No two EPQ projects are the same. This enables students to become an expert in their own niche area and really stand out at job and university interviews alike.  

• It is worth UCAS points and many universities will now include adjusted offers for students completing EPQs. They are worth half an A-Level, which is more than a new AS level (e.g. A grade at AS = 16 points, A grade in EPQ = 24 points). It will also be useful in interviews to give you something interesting, different and current to talk about.

Students decide whether to study for an EPQ once they have joined the 6th form - you do not need to express interest on your options form