Course overview
The Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) is a research based qualification that students are encouraged to complete with more independence than other “traditional” subjects. Students can choose to do a project on almost any area of interest. The teacher will act as a project supervisor to help guide progress and help students to complete their individual projects.
How many hours per week?
Teaching contact time is 4 hours and 20 minutes per subject. Other workshops will be available throughout the year including over some holiday periods. Students are expected to spend a minimum 4 hours of independent study to complete assignments, homework, extra reading and independent research.
Entry requirements
The Level Three Foundation Programme has a consistent set on entry requirements for each course. Students are required to have already achieved a of 4,4,3 at level 2 (GCSE or equivalent)
Exam board
AQA
Why study this course?
The HPQ is a perfect way to encourage students to extend and develop beyond the material being covered in class and explore their passion for a subject.
With the Higher Project qualification, students can discover the joys of independent learning, take responsibility for their own study and develop new life and study skills.
Delivery of the Level 2 Higher Project Qualification will involve some teaching of the necessary skills, supervision and assessment of the student’s progress. It will involve extended autonomous work by the student. It will require in total 60 guided learning hours.
Students are required, with appropriate supervision, to:
- choose an area of interest
- draft a title and aims of the project for formal approval by the centre
- plan, research and carry out the project
- deliver a presentation to a non specialist audience
- provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment
What will I learn?
There is no specific course content as each learner will complete their own bespoke project. Classroom sessions are focussed more on research and project management skills.
What skills will I develop?
- research skills including the ability to search for and identify suitable sources of information in the chosen subject area.
- skills or techniques that will be required for the safe and effective execution of the project which are not
part of the candidate’s course of study. e.g. conducting risk assessment, assessing ethical principles of project proposals and research, safe laboratory or workshop technique, professional codes of practice, ethical guidelines, research methodology - ICT skills that will enhance the production of the report and/or the development of the project
- project management skills including time, resource and task management
- the format and structure of accepted academic forms of research report.
How will I be taught?
Supervisors will carry out a wide range of activities to help students develop the skills needed. These will included group work, mock presentations, guidance on how to research effectively and 1-to-1 support.
How will I be assessed?
There are no modules or exams in the HPQ. You will be guided and supported through the project and assessed on completion of your project.
Where will this course take me?
This course provides excellent independent study and research skills that will be beneficial to any level three course.
Staff contact details
Elizabeth Smith – elizabeth.smith@ke6n.ac.uk