1. Extended Project Qualification
Level 3
Extended Project Qualification
WJEC Entry Code:
Teaching from 2015
INTRODUCTION

2. Level 3 Extended Project Qualification
Key features:
Level 3 Extended Project Qualification
Available to centres in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, British Oversees centres and British Forces Oversees centres
Level 3, one-unit, stand-alone qualification
Available for Summer series only

3. Internally assessed and externally moderated
Free online e-submission platform available to all centres
Diversity is a key element of the EPQ philosophy

4. Helps learners develop a range of independent learning skills
Universities are including the EPQ in their UCAS offer
Fewer learners pursuing a fourth A level
Worth more than an AS; A* in EPQ carries 28 UCAS points compared to a minimum 20 points for AS grade ‘A’

5. EPQ allows learners to research topic of their choice
Offers flexible timetabling options for centres
Contributes to the Level 3 Threshold and Performance points in England and Wales

6. Why choose WJEC for the EPQ
Face-to-face and online CPD training courses
Free centre visits to new centres
Continuous direct access to subject specialists
Unlimited access to free educational resources

7. Continuous support offered on approving project proposals & titles
Wide range of exemplar materials on our secure website
Access to Regional Support Officers

8. Online e-submission platform (SecureAssess)
Submit Extended Projects online
Simple to use and developed to streamline the administration for both teachers and learners
Significant savings for centres in terms of postage, print and stationery costs
Candidate work is submitted online and securely stored on WJEC servers

9. Centres do not have to make up paper based portfolios and send samples in the post to External Moderators
It meets candidates' expectations for the operation of qualifications in a digital age
Guidance and continuous support on using the e-submission platform is available

10. Specification overview
Develop knowledge and understanding of a specific topic through research
Develop as critical, independent, self-evaluative learners by improving and reviewing their own learning and performance
Develop their communication and presentation skills

11. Demonstrate initiative, creativity and flexibility in responding to challenges and in applying new technologies, where appropriate
Support their personal aspirations for higher education and employment
EPQ can be developed from one or more programme of study or topic of personal interest

12. Can be in the form of a dissertation, field investigation, artefact, design or a performance
Requires 120 GLH, 45GLH recommended for Teaching & Learning Programme
It has a taught element, a skill based individual piece of work and a supervisor for every learner

13. EXTENDED PROJECT - The Process
Choosing a project topic and writing a proposal outlining the aims and objectives, and a project plan of how the project outcome will be achieved
Recording progress demonstrating what was learned from the taught element, how research has been conducted, decisions made, problems solved and how the whole process was reviewed and evaluated, including meetings with supervisors

14. Producing a project outcome providing evidence of the final piece of written work or product in an appropriate format
Making a presentation to a non-specialist audience explaining the project outcome including a review of their own performance and learning through a question and answer session

15. Learners are required to complete the following sections:
Part A - Learner Records
EPF1 - Proposal and Title
EPF2 (A-E) - Extended Project Record
EPF3 - Extended Project Outcome
EPF Extended Project Presentation

16. Supervisors are required to complete the following sections:
Part B - Supervisor/Assessor Records
EPF 5 - Extended Project Presentation Witness Statement
EPF 6 - Extended Project Supervisor Final Assessment Mark Sheet & Centre Internal Standardisation Form

17. Teaching & Learning Programme
Sufficient amount of time should be allocated – recommended 45 GLH
Sample Scheme of Work available in our Guidance for Teaching available on our public website

18. Assessment Assessment Objectives Weighting Mark Available AO1 Manage
20% 20
AO2 Use resources
AO3 Develop and realise
40% 40
AO4 Review and communicate
Total
100%
100

19. AO1 Manage
Realising the identified project aims and objectives
Quite simply, aims are the strategy; objectives are the tactics
Aims are general statements describing what the learner hopes to achieve
Objectives are specific statements that are about actions which explain the outcomes of the steps of how the learner is going to go about the project
Objectives define the structure of the project

20. Project planning and design – which includes action planning, setting timescales, milestones and deadlines, identifying sub tasks and activities, setting targets, priorities and goals
Project management – which includes checking, measuring, monitoring and assessing progress, adapting to change, managing risks, health and safety, using project management software (for example, Gantt and PERT charts, Critical Path Analysis and time management)
Project accountability – which involves establishing appropriate success criteria and methods to measure success

21. AO2 Use Resources
Source selection and application
Source evaluation, evaluating credibility, for example, using BRAVENS analysis, evaluating source utility
Data analysis and validity

22. Source referencing and avoiding plagiarism
Synthesising complex information and data
Ethical considerations

23. AO3 Develop and Realise
Problem solving
Decision making
Use of language and argument
Use of new technologies, such as 3D printers, new software, online publishing, etc.

24. Submission and assessment
Skills Development
Selecting an appropriate topic/question
Understanding how to research effectively
Developing effective planning and organisation
Problem solving and decision making
Critical source handling and evaluation
Analysis, selection and synthesis
Presentation and reflection skills
Submission and assessment

25. Structured and fluent writing with a clear line of argument
Have a focus on critical analysis over description
Have strong supporting evidence, correctly referenced
Show evidence of the counter-argument
They need to be well-structured and coherent paragraphs

26. Be a minimum of 5,000 words in length, although there is no penalty for going over this word count
Show evidence of drafting and proof reading but only the final draft is required for submission
Be evidence based and show developed conclusion that fully addresses the identified aims & objectives
Have an academic bibliography
Learners need to have given attention to SPaG issues

27. Dissertation or artefact?
Both dissertation (written project outcome) and artefact (non-written project) outcome are equally valid
Weak artefacts that are unlikely to meet the demands of a Level 3 qualification
Best artefacts have clear aims and objectives and are rooted explicitly in research

28. Examples of good artefacts:
‘To produce a scale model of a trebuchet for under £100 that is capable of throwing a tennis ball over ten metres.’
‘To manufacture a leather bomber jacket for under £100 using the school laser cutter.’
‘To write and produce a short film on the Syrian refugee crisis aimed at learners of sixth form age.’

29. AO4 Review and Communicate
Presentation skills – learners need to structure their ideas effectively, ensuring audience engagement and avoiding ‘death-by-slide’, and deal with challenging questions
Evaluate and reflect on what they have done

30. Key requirements for AO4 - Presentation
The learner’s supervisor has to be present as ultimately s/he has to assess the effectiveness of the presentation
The learner has to answer a series of questions from the audience at the end of the presentation and these questions must not be previously shared with the learner

31. Other resources EPQ specification Student Guide Guidance for Teaching
EPQ specification
Student Guide
Guidance for Teaching
Administration Handbook
FAQs
CPD events details
Principal Moderator’s report

32. Other resources
CPD materials
Exemplars

33. Contact Details
Glenda Kinsey
Extended Project Qualification manager
Tania Lucas
Subject Support Officer
For further details, please visit the Extended Project web page on the WJEC website