Course introduction
This course is perfect if you are looking to develop your independent research skills and investigate a topic of your choice in detail. If you are looking to develop your academic writing skills, improve your presentation skills and learn how to approach research in a more independent way, then this is the course for you!
You will learn how to:
- make a significant contribution to the choice and design of an extended project
- develop and improve your own learning and performance as a critical, reflective and independent learner
- develop and apply decision-making and, where appropriate, problem-solving skills
- extend your planning, research, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills
- where appropriate, develop confidence in applying new technologies in your studies
- develop and apply skills creatively, demonstrating initiative and enterprise
- use your learning experiences to support your aspirations for higher education and/or career development
- transfer skills developed as part of your extended project to other areas of study.
You can expect expert tuition from an EPQ teacher, who will be on hand to deliver the taught element of the course and be on hand to offer support and guidance when you move onto the independent development phase of the course. You will be guided through the course with supporting materials that will help you to organise your project, and there will be a dedicated teams channel where you can access learning materials and have on online forum to raise questions and engage with your EPQ peers.
You can apply to do the EPQ at end of your first year of studying A Levels.
Course information
1 year
Extended Project Qualification
Selection for the course is based on Year 1 performance: students need to be working at or above their target grade, have excellent attendance and be intrinsically motivated.
OCR EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is assessed as a single internally assessed project, then externally moderated by OCR. It is worth 60 marks and graded A*–E
The final product can be:
- a research-based report (usually ~5000 words)
- or an artefact/performance with a shorter written report (~1000 words)
It is worth noting that EPQ is not marked mainly on the final essay or artefact. Process + reflection + evidence of skills are just as important as the end product.
EPQ is highly regarded by Universities as they see it as an excellent way to develop the independent study skills that are essential to undergraduate study (and beyond!). Not only will you gain valuable UCAS points, but you will also develop the essential Futur6 skills which will make you a prized asset for university placements, apprenticeships and employment.
Please note that the EPQ has 30 hours of ‘taught’ (so 20 timetables sessions – 2x per week = 10 weeks of taught content) content before the students go on to complete their project independently. During the independent element of the course the tutor will check in with students to ensure that their logs are being completed, that they are on track to complete their project within the given time, and to help offer solutions should students encounter any difficulties.
Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.
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