Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Qualification: Extended Project Qualification Level 3
Exam Board: Pearson; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE. Students studying the EPQ in their First Year will be selected on the strength of their GCSE qualifications. Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 1 year single course, equivalent to 1 AS level
Timetable hours: 1.5 - 3 hours per week

What will I study?

The Extended Project Qualification is a one-year course which is quite different to an A-level. It is a project based piece of work that allows you to research and write or create in an area that you are interested in. There is immense flexibility in the route you decide to take and we encourage you to create projects themed around your future plans, passions and main interests. To give you a taste of the diversity of EPQ topics, the following areas of research have all been submitted for projects: "Should we surrender our DNA at birth?"; "How music production can change a sample of music."; "The influence of Scandinavian folk-wear on the British fashion industry"; "The morality of horse racing"; "Restricting advertising to children"; "The necessity of feminism"; "Do numbers really exist?". By the end of the project you will have produced an extended dissertation of around 6000 words or an 'artefact' - a piece that could be a model, design, piece of art, music etc. which is accompanied by a shorter essay. Your teacher acts as a mentor, developing your skills in analysis, evaluation and research. An important aspect of the final assessment is a presentation on your findings and your reflections on the overall experience.

Is this course right for me?

The EPQ is excellent preparation for university as it is mirrors the style of research and assessment you will encounter in higher education. For those not planning on university, it showcases deep knowledge of a topic of your choice which can feed into any future career choices. It is simply a brilliant opportunity to pursue your interests in any topic of your choice. The EPQ can be studied in either your first or second year but there are restrictions on numbers in the first year and, in the case of over-sbuscription, students will be selected on the strength of their GCSE qualifications.

Where next?

Studying the EPQ opens the door to many opportunities. It shows that you can plan a project and develop a good question; it shows good time management and your ability to reflect on progress; researching and analysing texts; academic referencing and critical thinking; writing and structuring a dissertation according to academic conventions; evaluating your own learning and achievements and giving an oral presentation to a non-specialist audience. These skills are highly prized by universities and are essential in many areas of employment such as journalism, law, Civil Service, research, archivist, public speaking, teaching, sales and IT.

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