Project Qualifications equip students with vital skills for future education and work. They provide an opportunity to break away from the standard curriculum and traditional classroom settings, so the student can dive headlong into topics about which they are passionate. On top of that, many universities see successful completion as a sign would-be graduates are dedicated to independent learning.
So why are they still an underused qualification.
Jen Osler, AQA’s Head of Curriculum Portfolio, explains in greater detail the benefits of completing the qualification and the barriers blocking greater uptake.
In my work, I have seen again and again how Project Qualifications (PQs) give students freedom and help them transition to the next phase of their lives.
Available at Level 1, 2 and 3, PQs involve the student producing a piece of written work or an artefact on a topic of their choice. They are studied full-time at school or college alongside other qualifications, such as GCSEs or A levels.
Level 1 Foundation Project (FPQ) and Level 2 Higher Project (HPQ) are worth half a GCSE. The Level 3, Extended Project (EPQ) is worth half an A-Level.
They are marked on the student’s ability to plan, manage, complete and review their project.
