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Extended Project

Extended Project Qualification

The Extended Project is a single piece of work of a student's choosing that requires evidence of planning, preparation, research and independent learning. The skills that students develop through the Extended Project are excellent preparation for university-level study. Students can refer to the Extended Project in their UCAS personal statements and at interview to demonstrate some of the qualities that universities are looking for.

An Extended Project might be:

  • A design
  • A report with findings from an investigation or study
  • A dissertation presenting an argument
  • An artefact
  • A performance

The Extended Project offers opportunities for learners to:

  • Have significant input into the choice and design of an extended piece of work;
  • Develop and apply decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, initiative and enterprise;
  • Extend their planning, research, critical-thinking, analytical, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills;
  • Use their learning experiences to support their personal aspirations for higher education and career development.

Projects are successful when they fulfil two basic criteria:

  • You want to do it
  • You learn something new while you are doing it

Projects are useful for:

  • Applying to competitive courses
  • Finding out whether you like something
  • Having something to talk about at interviews
  • Doing that cool thing you always fancied but didn’t know how to

What you will get:

  • Training in Project Management
  • Training in presentation skills
  • A supervisor who you will meet every two weeks

What you will not get:

  • Someone telling you what to do
  • Someone telling you how to do it
  • Someone reminding you to get on with it

At Fortismere you will begin your project in year 12 and it must be completed by the first term of year 13. This gives the summer to work on your EPQ and it also leaves you enough time to focus on your A levels.