Extended Project Qualification Level 3

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About this course

What is it?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a nationally recognised and fully resourced qualification at Level 3. It carries up to 28 UCAS points towards entry into higher education.

ASDAN’s EPQ is a single piece of work that requires a high degree of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. This can be a 5,000 word dissertation or an artefact or performance accompanied by a 1,000 word report. The EPQ provides a unique opportunity to build the project around a work experience placement, offering a clear line of sight to employment and training.

Available for delivery in England and Northern Ireland, ASDAN’s EPQ has the same specification as those offered by other awarding organisations with an additional focus on completing the EPQ as part of a work placement. 

We introduced the suggested delivery model, fully planned and resourced sessions to help learners develop the study skills required to complete their project. Access to all resources is included in ASDAN membership cost and are available to download on this page.

Read the EPQ specification, additional approval guidance and view key dates. 

"The new EPQ ASDAN is delivering gives students the opportunity to gain valuable employability skills through attendance at a work placement and completing a work-based project. We believe that successful completion of this qualification will prepare learners for further study and employment."

Katie Jenkins, Director, Marketing and Future Students, UWE Bristol

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To teach this course you must have one of these membership types:

  • Qualifications

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Who is it for?

The EPQ is for students aged 16+ on a full-time programme of study.

ASDAN's EPQ can be used to complement vocational or academic learning; it provides learners with the skills that employers and higher education are looking for. The EPQ encourages independent study, critical thinking and teamwork – it is ideal for improving transferable skills such as planning, research, analysis and evaluation.

Facts and figures

  • Available to centres in England and Northern Ireland only
  • 120 hours total qualification time, including a pre-project taught element (30 hours)
  • UCAS Tariff points are available on the Extended Project Qualification. For more information, please refer to ASDAN Qualifications key dates and performance information 2024-2025.
  • Students choose the topic for their project – it can be linked to their programme of study or a work placement
  • Develops study skills and employability skills for progression to higher education and employment
  • Supported by high quality teaching and learning resources

Structure

Students are free to choose the topic for their project, however they must show that it is useful for their progression and is linked to their programme of study or their future career. 

ASDAN’s EPQ has the same specification as those offered by other awarding organisations with an additional focus on completing the EPQ as part of a work placement. This could be a dissertation linked to a work placement, or an artefact and report created as part of a work placement.

Assessment objectives

Students’ projects are graded based on four assessment objectives:

  • AO1. Manage (20%)
  • AO2. Use resources (20%)
  • AO3. Develop and realise (40%)
  • AO4. Review (20%)

Taught element

The ASDAN EPQ begins with a taught element (30 hours) to support learners in designing and carrying out their project.

Key documents

High quality resources are available to support learners, teachers, parents and employers involved in the ASDAN EPQ:

Other high quality key documents are available for registered centres to download via the members area. These additional resources include learner guides, a guide for employers, resources to support the pre-project taught element and mandatory forms.

Getting started

New to ASDAN?

Your first step is to become a member of ASDAN. Read more about our membership tiers and the benefits of being a member.

Already a member?

If you are on our qualifications membership and your centre has been approved to deliver qualifications, you can get started by purchasing materials below.

Please note that someone from your centre must have attended a mandatory training session or INSET prior to delivering this course.

You can upgrade your membership at any time under account settings.

ASDAN members' area

You can manage your courses, learners, orders and account settings in the members’ area. This also contains all the essential documents, forms and updates that you will need to deliver your course.

Assessment

After students' work has been internally moderated, centres must submit candidate marks and send projects for external moderation, which is carried out by post. ASDAN will issue certificates following successful external moderation.

ASDAN training events are delivered by experts to enable your centre to successfully run our courses. They provide an introduction to the course, along with guidance on the processes involved, course delivery and moderation. 

Training is mandatory for the Extended Project Qualification. 

Book training

Costs

All candidate registration costs shown below are per candidate, unless otherwise stated.

Item Price
Extended Project Qualification Level 3 £59


Public funding for ASDAN qualifications delivered in the UK

Many ASDAN qualifications are fully funded by the UK Government.

Whether you are an employer, a learner or a training provider, the following websites will provide you with more information on the different types of public funding in the UK for ASDAN qualifications.  

Course resources

Success stories

“ASDAN’s Extended Project Qualification made me realise that university is an attainable goal.”

18-year-old Rory and Learning Support Practitioner, Andrew, tell us about how the EPQ helps prepare learners for their future, and demonstrate how it can be accessible and lead to a positive outcome for learners with autism.
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