Meeting EPQ requirements
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is designed to foster independent study skills ready for higher education and future careers. EPQ is a significant step up from EPQ in terms of challenge, and so is usually taken by A-level students, although a few schools attempt EPQ with top GCSE students.
Project Science can open up access to EPQ to more year 11 students. EPQ specifies four kinds of projects, called units. Project Science is deliberately aligned with the three options that relate to science and engineering:
- Investigations projects aim at EPQ Unit 2 (Investigations/field studies)
- Design projects aim at EPQ Unit 4 (Artefacts)
- Research projects aim at EPQ Unit 1 (Research)
The course is designed to make students competent at managing an extended enquiries independently:
- Practices and transferable skills are taught in year 10 and then again in year 11
- Students gain experience of a guided project in year 10, before taking greater ownership in year 11
The practices and skills are the same as for HPQ, and are fully described by the teaching syllabus.
EPQ grades
Students tend to score highly at HPQ as the 2022-23 results from one of the Awarding Bodies show:
| Grade | % students |
| A* | 15% |
| A*-A | 51% |
| A*-B | 85% |
| A*-C | 100% |
| A*-D | 100% |
The EPQ is graded from A* to E:
- Grade A* demonstrates exceptional independent research skills.
- Grades reflect the ability to plan, manage, execute, and evaluate effectively.