Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
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Exam Board: OCR
OCR’s EPQ aims to inspire, enthuse, motivate and to allow you to develop or extend a variety of skills through the completion of a free choice project. This project allows you to pursue a theme/topic based either on a subject you are already studying or in an area of particular personal interest or provides the opportunity to complete something entirely new. You are given responsibility for managing all stages of your project in a specified time period.
Click on the link at the bottom of this page to view the information from the EPQ launch assembly.
The EPQ provides potential for breadth of study and enrichment. It encourages you to work independently, to develop your research and investigation skills, your ability to problem-solve and to critically engage with the theme/topic of your project. This qualification also encourages the development of both writing and technology skills appropriate to your choice of project. These key transferable skills are extremely valuable in supporting progression to Higher or Further education, vocational qualifications or directly into employment, as well as supporting your study in other subjects. Learners with this qualification stand out from the crowd at interviews as they demonstrate their enthusiasm (and knowledge) of their chosen theme/topics intellectual flexibility and project management skills.
Assessment is based predominantly on the process as well as the outcome; from decision-making about your choice and design of your project through planning and development, to presentation to an audience, reflection and critical evaluation of its success.
You will be assessed on four areas:
- managing a project
- using resources
- developing and realising a project
- reviewing the project.
The EPQ is a single component that is internally assessed and externally moderated, worth up to 28 UCAS points.
“The skills students develop through the Extended Project are directly relevant to and useful for university-level students. Students can refer to the Extended Project in their UCAS personal statement and at interview to demonstrate some of the qualities that universities are looking for.”
University of Manchester
“We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project. Individual academic schools will decide whether they will be using the Extended Project in their offer making and we encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement. In some cases admissions tutors may wish to make an alternative offer to applicants, one of which involves successful completion of the Extended Project.”
University of Leeds
Contact: Miss R. Holland, Head of EPQ