Edexcel Level 2 Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)

Overview - Level 2 -Higher Project - Level 3 - Extended Project

What is the Level 2 Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)?

What are the benefits of completing the HPQ?

How Does GroundMark Learning Support Students?

How long will it take?

What does a HPQ look like?

When is the best time to complete the HPQ?

Fees

How do I Apply to Complete the HPQ

HPQ Exemplars

What is the Level 2 Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)?

The Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) is an Edexcel Level 2 qualification that is roughly equivalent to half a GCSE. Taking part allows students to discover the joys of independent learning, take responsibility for their own study and develop new life and study skills.

There is no external exam. The HPQ is internally assessed by a Project Supervisor and moderated by both the Project Coordinator and the Exam Board.

This qualification has been designed to stretch and challenge students by developing important academic skills required at higher education. Students will learn essential skills such as referencing; essay writing; creating a bibliography; creating a presentation, researching, and deploying secondary and primary sources.

To gain the qualification, students will need to:

Complete a Project Activity Log – A diary that logs the progress they have made throughout the year.
Carry out Research – A collection of sources that relate to their topic.
Complete a 2000-2500 word written report.
Deliver a short presentation about their project to a small non-specialist audience.

What are the benefits of completing the HPQ?

It gives students the chance to develop skills of independent learning and provides the opportunity to try something outside or beyond the scope of the main curriculum.
It encourages self-determination and ownership of a project.
Students decide on the title and the form it will take; we provide the tools, teach the skills and help the pupil to create a piece of work that is truly theirs.
It is an excellent addition to a student’s academic profile and can demonstrate interest and deeper knowledge in a subject area, which may support an application for Sixth Form, College, or an Apprenticeship
It is also a really good stepping stone to the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which reinforces and develops these skills still further.
It is viewed highly by universities.

How Does GroundMark Learning Support Students?

At the start of the Project, you will be assigned a Project Supervisor who will be your point
of contact throughout the HPQ.

You will have 5 meetings with your Project Supervisor during the process:
1. Initial Meeting to Discuss Your Project Proposal
2. Review of Research Write-Up
3. Review of Discussion Chapter
4. Review of Introduction, Summary, Conclusion, and Evaluation
5. Presentation Discussion

You will also be given access to GroundMark Learning’s learning platform which has
resources specifically written to support you as you work through the HPQ.
You will receive teaching and guidance to get you started, to help with planning and
researching and presentation skills, and to keep you on track as you work through your
chosen project. There's no formal restriction on your project topic: that's negotiated
between you and your project adviser, who will help you choose a topic you will enjoy and
cope with.

Your Project Supervisor will:

Review your initial ideas
Agree on your working title and proposal and sign off the Project Proposal Form
Discuss the record of initial ideas and how you intend to develop the Project
Arrange regular progress reviews and give appropriate feedback and guidance
Assess/mark the Project (which will be moderated by the Exam Board)
Oversee the Presentation
Endorse your Project Activity Log

It is, however, important to remember that the HPQ is highly regarded as a
qualification earned through self-study and research so it is important that the input
of your Project Supervisor is light touch, thereby ensuring the integrity of your result.

How long will it take?

Generally, the whole process from start to finish takes about 60 hours.

What does a HPQ look like?

The two main components of the HPQ are the Written Report and the Project Activity Log.
The Written Report should contain between 2000 and 2500 words.
The Project Activity Log is an integral component of the HPQ and must be submitted as evidence on
completion of the HPQ. It is a document that is used to record your journey through the project
process. The Project Activity Log is not an admin document but rather provides you with the
backbone of your Project.
The HPQ is a process-based qualification. The Written Report is a significant component, but the
Project Activity Log is just as important as it charts your progress from initial ideas, through your
research to your final outcome and evaluation.
It is vital that you appreciate how important this document is in relation to your final outcome and
that you complete the log as you go along, rather than trying to fill it in retrospectively.
We have created links below to some examples of some completed HPQs. Some of them include just
the Written Report and some also include the Project Activity Log. We have also created a link to a
stand-alone example of a Project Activity Log.

When is the best time to complete the HPQ?

At GroundMark Learning we generally find that when students are academically ready to start their GCSE and/or BTEC studies, they are also ready to start the HPQ.

However, we would recommend that students complete the HPQ during the year preceding the final year of their GCSE and/or BTEC studies.

This will enable them to focus fully on their GCSEs and/or BTECs in their final year.

GroundMark Learning is required to submit the HPQ in May.

HOWEVER. to give us time to mark and moderate each HPQ we will require students to submit their completed HPQ to us by 15 March.

PROJECTS RECEIVED AFTER THE 15 MARCH DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
FOR MODERATION AND SUBMISSION.

We appreciate that students will be starting the HPQ at different times of the year so
at their initial meeting, the Project Supervisor will advise each student on the most
realistic assessment window to target for completion and submission.

Fees

The all-inclusive fee for completion of the Level 2 Higher Project Qualification (HPQ is £525 and includes:

Supervision and guidance
Access to GroundMark Learning's learning platform for access to additional guidance and support
Marking
Internal Moderation
The Exam Board entry fee
Submission to the Exam Board for Moderation

How do I Apply to Complete the HPQ

How do I Apply to Complete the HPQ
Your first step is to contact us at GroundMark Learning for an informal chat on 01926
935635. If our lines are busy, we would suggest that you leave a message or use our
email contact form. One of the team will then respond as quickly as possible.
The reason for the chat is to assess the suitability of your Project Proposal and to outline
the process.

If you wish to proceed with your application you will need to provide us with the following
information:

Full name of candidate (as used in official documents)
Date of birth of candidate
Contact email for correspondence
Contact address for correspondence

GroundMark Learning works in partnership with Tutors & Exams and all Project
applications are administered through Tutors & Exams’ Coventry Centre.
GroundMark Learning will contact Tutors & Exams and confirm approval of your
application.

Tutors & Exams will then invoice you and, on confirmation of payment, you will be
assigned a Project Supervisor and will be given full access to the online learning and
support guidance.

Please note that Tutors & Exams will not accept your application unless it has been approved by GroundMark Learning.

For further information contact us

Exemplars : Click the Image to open file