Supporting widening access, continuation and success: the positive impact of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3, post-16 UK qualification that students usually take alongside A Levels, prior to entering university or the labour market. It plays an important role in improving access to, and success at university. The University of Southampton's Learn with US Transition Programme has developed support particularly for students undertaking the EPQ, who are underrepresented at university. This programme responds to the Office for Students′ (OfS) requirement to develop and submit an Access and Participation Plan (APP). The EPQ challenges the lack of aspiration and deficit discourses that are especially damaging to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Students who complete the EPQ are shown to perform better in terms of Key Stage 5 attainment and at degree level due to developing key academic and research skills prior to enrolment. The Learn with US team is exploring links between EPQ attainment and other institutional goals, such as addressing degree awarding gaps for under-represented students. The University of Southampton takes a whole-institution, lifecycle approach to removing barriers for underrepresented students, and the Learn with US Transition Programme is a key element of our provision that is proven to have positive outcomes for students transitioning into university, especially for those students who are already impacted by structural disadvantage.