Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – one element of the AQA Baccalaureate

What is AQA Baccalaureate?

The AQA Baccalaureate is a British educational qualification launched in April 2009 by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, or AQA, to be studied in Years 12 and 13. The innovative qualification includes the existing A and AS Levels as part of the assessment, as well as mandatory enrichment activities and an extended project. The AQA is made up of three elements:

Enrichment activities – e.g. community service
Research project
Additional AS level – Critical thinking, Global perspectives or General studies

What is EPQ?

Universities and employers highly value a student’s ability to research and analyse material independently. Promoting independent learning is also central to the ethos of the AQA Baccalaureate and is gained through the EPQ. Universities support and value the EPQ as evidence of a student’s ability to use a range of skills that are vital for successful study in higher education – including development of independent learning, self-management and research ability. Top universities around the world have been known to prefer students that have completed the EPQ.

Here at Bangkok Prep

In August 2016 we introduced EPQ for all Year 12 students
The continuous development of the Enrichment element including Community Service, charity work, RUOK etc

How is the EPQ assessed?

Students will have three periods over their two week timetable with an EPQ supervisor to complete their EPQ.
Students are assessed on their ability to manage, develop and realise their projects. The EPQ is graded on an A* – E scale and is equivalent to half an A Level.

What does EPQ involve?

The first step is for our students to choose a topic and decide what the finished product will be. We encourage creativity and curiosity, so the project topic may be directly related to or completely independent of their main study programme, and the finished product may take the form of a:

Written report – 5,000 words
Performance
Piece of art
Community project
CD, DVD or even computer software.

What our students need to do:

Choose an area of interest and draft their project title and aims.
Plan, research and carry out their project.
Keep a production log of all stages of the project production, reviewing and evaluating their progress.
Complete the project product.
Prepare and deliver a presentation.

During the EPQ, they will learn to:

Manage – identify, design, plan, and complete a project, applying organisational skills and strategies to meet their stated objectives
Use resources/research – obtain and select information from a range of sources, analyse data, apply it relevantly, and demonstrate understanding of any appropriate connections and complexities of their topic
Develop and realise – use a range of skills, including using new technologies, to solve problems, to take decisions critically, creatively and flexibly, and to achieve their aims
Review – evaluate the outcome, including their learning and performance

Extended Project Qualification