OCR Level 3 Extended Project Qualification

At Beverley Joint Sixth Form we offer the Extended Project Qualification (E.P.Q.) as an enrichment option. The course will be mentored for one hour a week at B.G.S. This course runs from September to April of an academic year and students will achieve a Level 3 qualification – with equivalent UCAS points to an AS Level (half an A’Level). An A* grade is worth 28 UCAS points. There are no exams involved, but you must submit a folder of evidence and complete both presentations.

The E.P.Q.is a piece of independent work which is marked internally and then submitted to the O.C.R. exam board for external moderation. An E.P.Q. will help you develop a variety of skills that are valued by both universities and employers. These skills include: time management, problem solving, planning, researching and referencing. Doing well in your E.P.Q. may even result is a lowered university offer.

You chose and design your own E.P.Q. topic and you take full responsibility for your individual task. The topic you chose for your E.P.Q. can be linked to your future study/career, or linked to a hobby. Past titles have included charity rugby matches, calendars or investigations in to stem cell research.

You develop and improve your own learning and performance throughout the project, and you evaluate your performance at the end. You will be allocated a supervisor for one hour a week and you will need a folder to collect your evidence.

There are four broad formats that you can chose from for your E.P.Q:

1. Dissertation - An extended essay of around 5000 words. Plus 2 x presentations. This is on a topic of your choice but is easier to work with if it is framed as a question.

2. Report - Think in terms of 5000 words but there may also be statistical data or photographs. Plus 2 X presentations.

3. Artefact (making something) - Huge possible range e.g. software programme, business plan, furniture, set for musical. Evidence could be lots of photos with commentaries. Needs about 1000 word learner summary and two presentations.

4. Performance - E.g. play, film, magazine, charity event. Video etc submitted as evidence Again 1000 word learner summary which includes evidence of planning/research/evaluation. Two presentations.

Your EPQ is marked out of 60 and is divided into the following sections:

1. Managing your project (20%)

2. Researching your topic (20%)

3. 3. Developing & realising your topic (40%)

4. Reviewing the project (20%)

Employers and universities often ask for skills that are not covered in other A Levels e.g. problem solving and being able to plan a project from scratch. E.P.Q. helps you develop these skills, making you a more attractive employee or student. It also provides a personal aspect to your university interview.