About Project qualifications

Project qualifications require students to complete a single piece of coursework. Learn more about them here.

Project qualifications – what are they?

Project qualifications involve you producing a piece of coursework on a topic of your choice.

They're usually studied full-time at school or college alongside other qualifications, such as GCSEs or A levels.

Project qualifications are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3 on the National Qualifications Framework.

How are Foundation and Higher Project assessed?

The Edexcel Level 1 Foundation Project and Edexcel Level 2 Higher Project are stand-alone qualifications worth half a GCSE.

Studying the Foundation or Higher Project, you'll create one piece of coursework on a topic of your choice. These qualifications have been designed so that you can choose a project title which either relates to a subject you are currently studying or, with your teacher's approval, a topic in which you have a personal interest or passion - for example, a TV programme or hobby.

You are marked on your ability to plan, manage, complete and review your project.

How is Extended Project assessed?

The Edexcel Level 3 Extended Project is a stand-alone qualification worth half an A level.
Studying the Extended Project, you'll create one piece of coursework on a topic of your choice. The qualification has been designed so that you can choose a project title which either extends or expands a subject you are currently studying (for example, linking into one of your A levels) or, with your teacher's approval, a topic in which you have a personal interest or passion.

Each of the four units offers a different type of project: a dissertation, an investigation/field study, a performance or an artefact.

You are marked on your ability to plan, manage, complete and review your project.

How are Project qualifications graded?

Project qualifications are graded slightly differently depending on the level you are studying.

The tables below show the grades available for each level and their equivalence to GCSEs/A levels.

Level 3 Extended Project

Grade	Equivalence
A*
A	half an A level at grade A
B	half an A level at grade B
C	half an A level at grade C
D	half an A level at grade D
E	half an A level at grade E

Level 2 Higher
Project

Grade	Equivalence
A*	half a GCSE at grade A*
A	half a GCSE at grade A
B	half a GCSE at grade B
C	half a GCSE at grade C

Level 1 Foundation Project

Grade	Equivalence
A*	half a GCSE at grade D
A	half a GCSE at grade E
B	half a GCSE at grade F/G

If you don’t get enough marks to pass with one of the grades shown, you will be awarded a U, which means ‘unclassified’.

Why take Project?

Project and Extended Project allow you to demonstrate your ability to learn independently and will give you planning, research, analysis and evaluation skills.

The Project qualification at all levels will allow you to learn more about an area that interests you, and:

develop skills at levels 1 and 2 that will help you with A levels
allow you to get more UCAS points at level 3
teach you skills that will help in higher education or the workplace
allow you to research a subject that might not be available through other qualifications
develop independent research and project management skills.

If you're interested in finding out more about our Project qualifications, download one of our student guides and discuss it with your teacher.