1. The Benefits of an Extended Project Qualification
Sam Wenman
Widening Participation Outreach Programmes Manager

2. What will this presentation cover?
A brief history of the EPQ and its popularity
How an EPQ can benefit:
A level studies
Applications to HE
Transition to HE
Finding employment
EPQ support – what can universities offer?

3. A brief history of the EPQ and its popularity
Introduced by AQA in 2007 as a pilot.
Part of the Level 3 diploma as ‘an agent of wider skills provision’.
AQA – 870 EPQ entries in 2008, in 2014, in 2017.
Total in 2017.

4. Reflection / Evaluation
A level studies: Skills Development
Research Skills
Independent Learning, Using Sources, Note-taking
Organisation
Planning, Time Management, Efficiency, Autonomy
Reflection / Evaluation
Is this the best way of working/researching? Is this source useful?
Academic Writing
Point – Evidence – Explain
Referencing

5. A level studies: Beyond Academic Skills
Curiosity
Confidence
Expert knowledge
Transferable Skills

6. A level studies: Impacting Attainment
Does the Extended Project Qualification enhance students’ GCE A-level performance?’.
Other than Maths outcomes were higher for those taking an EPQ than weren’t.
In biology, for example, 5.62 per cent more EPQ students achieved at grade A [or better], than their non-EPQ peers, even after allowing for differences in prior attainment.
The odds of getting grade A*-B at A-level for students who took EPQ were greater by a factor of 1.29 over those who did not, controlling for other factors.
The odds of being awarded grade A*-B at A-level increase by 29 per cent for students who entered for the EPQ.
A unit increase in EPQ grade corresponds with 7 per cent increase in the likelihood of being awarded grade A*-B at A-level.
Differences across subject and subject groupings.
Jones, B. (2015). Does the Extended Project Qualification enhance students’ GCE A-level performance? Manchester: AQA Centre for Education Research and Practice.

7. HE applications: Standing Out
The skills the students develop are exactly those universities require for success on their courses.
Can highlight an area of interest within a subject area.
Demonstrates a passion.
Increases knowledge of a specific topic/subject area.

8. HE applications: Standing Out
Qualifications taken in addition to your main exams, such as the Extended Project, will improve your application by enabling you to develop study skills that will be useful in higher education. Although we do not usually make offers based on such qualifications, we encourage applicants to take them and to note them on their application form.
University of Birmingham
The EPQ is not currently typically used as part of a conditional offer at Cambridge, but this isn't to say it's not useful and we don't notice it. The EPQ is a great opportunity for students to explore something about their favourite subject in depth, to foster their own passion for that subject and to practise the kind of independent study they would be expected to undertake at university. It can also be a topic for discussion during interviews, giving us the chance to have an academic discussion with your student about a topic they are familiar with and excited about.
University of Cambridge

9. HE applications: Offer Conditions
The University is supportive of the requirement to undertake an Extended Project ... It is expected that some admissions tutors may make two alternative offers to those offering this qualification, one of which involves success in the Extended Project (e.g. either AAA at A-level or AAB at A-level plus Extended Project).
University of Bristol
Under this scheme, eligible applicants to subjects across our humanities, business, law, social sciences and related programmes may receive two offers – our usual offer plus an offer of an A in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects (e.g. AAA at A level; or AAB at A level AND an A grade in EPQ).
This additional offer reflects our confidence in the EPQ as an excellent preparation for the kinds of independent study necessary for students to succeed at a research-intensive university such as Southampton.
University of Southampton

10. HE applications: Offer Conditions
Project qualifications provide excellent preparation for study at university due to the study and independent writing skills that they help you to develop. They also support your transition to university-level study by developing time management and an approach to independent learning.
The University of Bath places high value on success in the EPQ. The majority of courses will incorporate the EPQ into an offer. Eligible applicants receive the usual offer PLUS an offer of an A in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects:
E.G. AAA at A level; or AAB at A level and an A grade in the EPQ
University of Bath

11. HE Transition:
Undergraduate skills
Independence and resilience
Creative approach to learning
Organisation
Confidence

12. Finding employment:
An extra qualification for the CV showing a different set of skills to regular curriculum classes.
Demonstrate a passion for a particular career path.
Gain useful knowledge that could help in interviews and applications later down the line.
Demonstrate transferable skills in addition to academic ones.
Prove to future employers that they are a self-motivated with useful skills in a chosen field.

13. EPQ support: What can universities offer?
Written Resources
Online Courses
Outreach Activity