Edexcel Level 3 - Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
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Edexcel Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
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What is the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)?
How Does GroundMark Learning Support Students?
When is the best time to complete the EPQ?
How do I Apply to Complete the EPQ
What are the benefits of completing an EPQ?
How does completing an EPQ affect University offers?
Do I need to complete the EPQ before making my UCAS application?
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What is the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)?
A Level 3 EPQ is an additional qualification that can be taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications (A Level, BTEC, NVQ, other academic or vocational qualifications including Modern Apprenticeships).
There is no external exam. The EPQ is internally assessed by a Project Supervisor and moderated by both the Project Co-ordinator and the Exam Board.
An EPQ is an excellent taster of university-style learning as it is effectively an independent research project which can, but does not have to, relate to a Level 3 course that is being studied. It is important therefore that students choose topics that they are interested in and curious about and, ideally, relate to further study so they are motivated to complete it. For example, an aspiring medic could write a research article analysing the difficulties associated with management of the NHS. This could help students substantiate evidence for their desire to study a specific degree course.
To gain the qualification, students will need to:
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Complete a Project Activity Log – A diary that logs the progress they have made throughout the year.
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Carry out Research – A collection of sources that relate to their topic.
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Complete a 5000-6000 word written report.
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Deliver a short presentation about their project to a small non-specialist audience.
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 EPQ.
You will have 5 meetings with your Project Supervisor during the process:
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Initial Meeting to Discuss Your Project Proposal
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Review of Literature Review
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Review of Discussion Chapter
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Review of Introduction, Abstract, Summary, Conclusion and Evaluation
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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 EPQ.
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:
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Review the your initial ideas
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Agree your working title and proposal and sign-off the Project Propsal Form
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Discuss the record of initial ideas and how you intend to develop the Project
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Arrange regular progress reviews and give appropriate feedback and guidance
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Assess/mark the Project (which will be moderated by the Exam Board)
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Oversee the Presentation
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Endorse your Project Activity Log
It is, however, important to remember that the EPQ 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 120 hours.
When is the best time to complete the EPQ?
There are two assessment windows for GroundMark Learning to submit the EPQ.
These are January and May.
HOWEVER. to give us time to mark and moderate each EPQ we will require students to submit their completed EPQ to us by the following dates:
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For May submission, we will require the completed EPQ by 15 March
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For January submission, we will require the completed EPQ by 15 November
PROJECTS RECEIVED AFTER THE 15 MARCH OR 15 NOVEMBER DEADLINES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR SUBMISSION AND WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE NEXT SUBMISSION WINDOW.
We appreciate that students will be starting the EPQ at different times of the year so you will need to choose the most realistic assessment window to target for completion and submission.
When do I get my results?
For May submissions the results will be released by Edexcel on A Level results day (around mid-August).
For January submissions the results will be released by Edexcel around mid-March.
Fees
The all-inclusive fee for completion of the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) £595 and includes:
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Supervision and guidance
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Access to GroundMark Learning’s learning platform for access to additional guidance and support
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Marking
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Internal Moderation
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The Exam Board entry fee
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Submission to the Exam Board for Moderation
How do I Apply to Complete the EPQ
You will need to complete an online application through one of Tutors & Exams’ centres. This will ensure that your correct details are submitted to Edexcel. We have attached an Application Guide to take you through the process.
It is worth a reminder that because the Project is delivered fully online you will not need to physically visit the exam centre so it does not matter which centre you select. You may, however, have a preferred Tutors & Exams’ centre where you have previously sat exams and already know the staff or you may want to select the closest one to you.
What are the benefits of completing an EPQ?
An EPQ provides further academic stretch and challenge alongside other Level 3 studies and also helps to evidence a genuine interest in a specific area (which is useful for UCAS university applications). An EPQ also carries UCAS points and is valued at 50% of a full A Level in the UCAS tariff.
Completing an EPQ helps students develop a number of different skills, which are vital for university. It requires excellent organisational skills: planning the project over a 20-week period and making sure that each stage is completed on time is essential to creating a high-quality end product and attracting the highest assessment marks in the process. Students also develop good time-management skills as they have to assign their own time to complete the project , while juggling the demands of their other Level 3 Studies
Students, above all, are required to be independently motivated as EPQ Supervisors are specifically not permitted to interfere with a students’ progress, especially in terms of meeting deadlines or completion of the project itself.
How does completing an EPQ affect University offers?
EPQ provides very clear evidence of that you have interests and ability which go beyond your Level 3 studies. It demonstrates clearly that you are capable of undertaking the kind of independent reading, research, and essay writing that is the mainstay of most undergraduate degrees.
This is hugely important in the UCAS application process where universities often have little to distinguish between students with similar predicted grades.
Additionally, an EPQ provides highly relevant material for your UCAS Personal Statement and for you to talk about in university interviews. Most top schools in the UK have made the completion of an EPQ (or an internal equivalent) compulsory for all Year 12 students.
Universities have always recognised the benefits of students completing an EPQ;
For example, Birmingham University now states the following:
“At the University of Birmingham, applicants who take an EPQ and meet the offer criteria will be made the standard offer for their programme of choice; PLUS an alternative offer which will be one grade lower, plus a grade A in the EPQ”.
Bristol University makes a similar statement in their admissions process:
“The University recognises that some A Level students may also choose to take the Extended Project. In some cases, we may make two alternative offers, one of which involves success in the Extended Project (e.g. either AAA at A Level or AAB at A Level plus Extended Project)”.
Oxford University also states the following on its’ website:
“working on an EPQ encourages students to develop research and academic skills relevant to undergraduate study. Therefore, we would recommend anyone completing an EPQ to draw on these skills when writing your UCAS personal statement. Whether you undertake a formal EPQ or not, you will be a more convincing applicant if you can demonstrate breadth of reading and independent research into your chosen subject; if you have pursued study beyond that required by your school syllabus”.
Given that the many Universities are repeating the message given by both Bristol and Birmingham Universities, we recommend that all students interested studying at university look at university A Level requirements. The following website, https://digital.ucas.com/search details the entry requirements for every course offering by all UK universities and Universities will specifically state whether they offer an alternative offer if an EPQ is pursued.
Student success stories include:
Chloe completed her EPQ on the use of light in architecture, looking at its development through European architectural history and examining contemporary technical developments. The completion of the project developed her existing knowledge of architecture in a way that not only enhanced her A-Level subjects, particularly History of Art, but added an extra dimension to her UCAS application, and helped in the interviews which got her a place at one of the UK’s best schools of architecture. Furthermore, her EPQ gave her a considerable advantage over her competitors when she came to apply for work placements in her first year at university.
Thomas completed an EPQ on the use of satire in the work of the Italian author Dante. The project provided strong evidence in his UCAS Personal Statement to support his application to study English Literature. His EPQ was the main topic of discussion in his interview for a place at Cambridge University, which he was duly offered. When asked what he thought was the main reason that his Cambridge interview had been so successful, Thomas answered simply: “I just talked about my EPQ!”.
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Do I need to complete the EPQ before making my UCAS application?
You do not need to complete the EPQ before making your UCAS application.
You do, however, have to list the EPQ as one of the subjects of study (just like your A Levels or similar).
Universities will then usually make two offers: one without an EPQ and one which includes completing an EPQ.
For example, Bristol University makes this statement in their admissions process:
“The University recognises that some A Level students may also choose to take the Extended Project. In some cases, we may make two alternative offers, one of which involves success in the Extended Project (e.g. either AAA at A Level or AAB at A Level plus Extended Project)”.
On A Level results day the university will then apply the appropriate offer.
For further information contact us​​​​​
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