In the lead up to HNC’s admissions interview evenings, we are shining a spotlight on some of the opportunities available to students outside of their timetabled study programmes. In this latest story, we explore the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) programme. In the coming weeks we will also be sharing more about our current students’ projects, and how the EPQ is supporting them to progress to their next steps and dream careers.
An EPQ is a nationally recognised qualification taken alongside a traditional Level 3 study programme. Equivalent to half an A Level and worth up to 28 UCAS points, the EPQ is designed to develop a wide range of skills that can help students to stand out from the crowd when applying for their next step after college. In an EPQ, students are tasked with delivering a project that can take the form of an essay, artefact, or performance on a topic of a student’s choosing. Undertaking an EPQ is a chance to work on a passion project, and subjects could be as far ranging as exploring Greek mythology to designing and building a unique piece of technology – the options are genuinely endless!
At HNC, EPQ students are supported through a programme of tutoring and everyone who undertakes a project works with a supervisor throughout, from the initial planning and proposals stage, right through to the final review and project presentation. Students studying for an EPQ at HNC benefit from a comprehensive programme of teaching which supports the development of skills in independent research, citation, ethics, and primary data collection and analysis – skills that are much respected in the academic world.
Daryl Stappard, Head of Faculty, comments “Studying for an EPQ is a genuinely enlightening experience. This is a qualification that is worth so much more than its UCAS points; this is a rare opportunity to work on a passion project or unique subject, and a chance to develop not only academic skills but cultural capital too. Taking part in an EPQ builds a wide variety of skills, from resilience and commitment to practical skills such as academic referencing, public speaking and critical analysis, making this the perfect qualification to support progression to competitive degree programmes and world-leading universities. I am incredibly proud of the College’s EPQ programme and the life-changing opportunities it provides our students. I look forward to sharing more about our students’ current projects in the coming weeks”.
If you’re attending an interview at HNC for 2025 entry and would like to find out more about the EPQ programme, please ask your interviewer who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.