Nurture independent learning skills, help students find their purpose and access first-class, bespoke teacher training – these are just some of the reasons the OxfordAQA International EPQ is a fantastic choice for students and teachers alike.
Running alongside our International AS and A-levels, OxfordAQA’s International Extended Project Qualification (International EPQ) seamlessly integrates the development of academic and independent learning skills into the curriculum. For students focused on their next steps into higher education and beyond, this supplementary approach is perfect for encouraging growth without impacting wellbeing.
But why should you take the International EPQ? Take a look at five main reasons below.
1. Opens doors for higher-education opportunities
“The Extended Project Qualification provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop the kinds of research and academic skills demanded by the rigours of Higher Education.”
The first project-based, A-level-standard qualification made exclusively for international schools and students, the International EPQ is respected by universities across the world as evidence of a student’s ability to extend their learning beyond their usual A-level studies.
Our International EPQ is based on the EPQ offered by AQA in the UK – by far the most popular project qualification – and reflects the latest changes to the British system to enable students to progress with confidence in their skills. The UK’s Russell Group encourages and values this qualification, with twelve lowering offer requirements for students who completed it. This is because the International EPQ gives students increased responsibility over their own study, a self-regulated approach that mirrors that of universities.
2. Unique development for teachers
“The Senior Associate clinic for the International EPQ was amazing – I’d never heard of having the option for the examiner to help the teacher one-to-one. The examiner’s support and patience provided the base for me to teach this qualification in the best way to my students.”
As assessment for the International EPQ is internal, OxfordAQA supports teachers with delivering and marking the projects. As part of our annual support cycle, we host live online sessions taking teachers through orientation, standardisation, presentations, creation of artefacts and lots more, so teachers can access sessions specific to the issues concerning them most and receive instant guidance from our experts.
Since the launch of the International EPQ in 2023, our Lead Moderator has been to China and Jordan to deliver a series of in-person sessions on teaching the EPQ. One of our teachers praised this unique offer – one of our Senior Associate Clinics – for how it took her ‘clearly, step-by-step through the International EPQ journey’.
However, we also know how busy teaching can be, so we developed an e-learning course that covers every aspect of delivering, marking and moderating the International EPQ. These self-access modules are available at any time, from anywhere – and you can pause and return whenever you need to.
New International EPQ Textbook from Oxford University Press
Offering practical advice to help teachers guide students with planning, recording and presenting their EPQ, it’s available in both print and digital forms.
Request a free Digital Inspection Copy for 30 days of full access to the book3. Choice and flexibility – for both teachers and students
“The International EPQ is so unique because it opens doors for students to focus on what they want to focus on. The cohort want to be more creative, and they now have the chance to start their journeys of research and creativity before university, because of OxfordAQA.”
The International EPQ is a perfect example of OxfordAQA’s commitment to regularly reviewing our specifications to provide the best learning experience for students. Our update in 2023 introduced an artefact option as an alternative route to producing a traditional report – giving students more flexibility to concentrate on their specific interests.
The oral presentation can be completed in the student’s preferred language – providing an authenticated translation is submitted alongside the recording – so students can focus on honing their presentation skills in the context most suited for their needs.
Our external marking approach, where teachers submit marks for each Assessment Objective before a final grade is awarded by OxfordAQA, offers teachers greater flexibility when supporting students too. In addition to giving students multiple opportunities to demonstrate their skills, our multiple methods of assessment – including the production log, presentation and written project report – allow teachers to establish a dialogue with students that can guide them towards meeting every Assessment Objective successfully. If either the teacher or student also feels the student needs more time to complete the project to the best of their ability, they can defer entry until a later series.
4. Proven outcomes at A-level and beyond
“The skills that students develop through the Extended Project are directly relevant to and useful for university-level study.”
The taught skills syllabus provides guidance to teachers regarding how they can support students through their project, but it has also been developed with students’ futures in mind. Including aspects such as identifying and using planning tools, setting SMART objectives and effective time management, students enter university and the workplace already familiar with key soft skills needed for successful study.
However, students don’t need to wait for university or employment to see the benefits. Research by the Centre of Education Research and Practice (CERP) found that students taking an EPQ or International EPQ are 29% more likely to achieve a grade A*-B in their standard A-level subjects. They also found a significant positive relationship between qualification achievement and student motivation, a passive way of encouraging students’ dedication to their learning.
5. Puts students on a path of learning for life
“Project-based learning helped my students gain ample skills, such as time management, researching, interviews and social skills. It also helped them to be more decisive about their future field of study.”
OxfordAQA’s project-based learning puts the student’s interest at the centre of their learning. Whether it be developing a computer game, conducting a study into their favourite piece of literature or even creating a short film, students can explore the issues that matter most to them.
It’s common, though, for students to choose a topic related to the subject they intend to study at university or the field of work they want to go into. With such breadth beneath every subject title – for instance, Biology spans from genetics to ecosystems and literature across thousands of years – the International EPQ is the first chance for students to specialise within a subject of study. It may just set up their life’s path.
