What Is the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)? A Guide for Parents and Year 10 Pupils

How does the HPQ differ from the EPQ?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is the better-known version of this type of qualification; it is taken at A-level (Level 3) in Years 12 and 13 and carries UCAS tariff points. The HPQ is its GCSE-level equivalent:

The HPQ therefore carries no UCAS points but demonstrates initiative and independent thinking at GCSE level, which can be mentioned on a sixth-form personal statement or early UCAS application narrative.

What types of project can pupils do?

The HPQ allows three forms of output:

• Report — a written piece of research on a question the pupil has chosen, such as "How has the portrayal of mental health in British cinema changed since 2000?" or "What are the ethical arguments for and against gene editing in humans?"
• Performance — an arts-based project with an accompanying report, such as composing and performing an original piece of music, or directing a short film
• Artefact — a physical or digital product with an accompanying report, such as designing and building a model or piece of technology

The subject matter is entirely the pupil's choice and does not need to relate to any of their GCSE subjects, though many pupils choose a topic that connects to an area of genuine personal interest or future career ambition.

Which exam boards offer the HPQ?

The HPQ is offered by AQA and OCR in England. The two versions are broadly equivalent in structure. Schools must be registered to offer the qualification; not all secondary schools do so. If your child's school does not offer the HPQ and you are interested, it is worth raising with the head of sixth form or the GCSE options coordinator, as some schools will set it up for small groups of motivated pupils if demand exists.

What does the assessment involve?

The HPQ is assessed entirely through non-examination work. The key components are:

• A supervision log — a record kept throughout the project, showing planning, research progress, problem-solving, and reflection. This demonstrates the process, not just the outcome.
• The final product — the report, artefact, or performance itself
• A presentation — a short verbal presentation to a panel (typically the teacher supervisor and possibly other staff) in which the pupil discusses their project and answers questions
• An initial plan — agreed at the start of the project, showing the pupil's intended approach and timeline

Schools assess the work using mark schemes provided by the exam board and submit marks for external moderation. There is no written examination.

What are the benefits of taking the HPQ?

The HPQ is valuable for specific types of pupils rather than all GCSE pupils:

• Pupils who are strong independent thinkers and find the structured GCSE format restrictive will often thrive in the HPQ format
• Pupils preparing to take the EPQ at A-level gain a significant head start in understanding how to manage a long-form project
• Pupils with a genuine area of specialist interest — a historical period, a scientific question, a creative medium — can develop it far beyond GCSE syllabus coverage
• Pupils applying to competitive sixth forms can mention an HPQ as evidence of intellectual curiosity beyond the standard curriculum

It is not well suited to pupils who are already stretched by their GCSE workload, as the supervision log and final product represent a substantial additional time commitment.

Frequently asked questions

Does the HPQ count towards Progress 8?

No. Project qualifications are not included in the Progress 8 performance measure for secondary schools. This means schools have less institutional motivation to offer it than they have for core GCSEs, but the qualification is nonetheless a credible and well-regarded addition to a GCSE profile.

How much time does the HPQ take?

A typical HPQ runs across one academic year, with an hour or more of independent work per week outside of lessons, plus regular supervisor check-ins. The total guided learning hours are around 120 hours, significantly less than a full GCSE but still a meaningful commitment on top of nine or ten existing subjects.

Can my child do an HPQ if their school does not offer it?

It is theoretically possible for a pupil to complete an HPQ through a private exam centre, but in practice the qualification depends on ongoing supervisor support, and it would be very difficult to manage without school involvement. The most practical approach is to ask the school to set up the provision, or to wait and take the EPQ at sixth form.

Will sixth forms care about an HPQ?

Most school sixth forms and sixth-form colleges are aware of the HPQ and will regard it positively as evidence of motivation and extended thinking. It is not a formal entry requirement anywhere, but for competitive independent sixth forms and selective institutions, it provides a genuine talking point in an admissions interview.

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AI tutors at aitutors.me support the kind of deep, subject-wide thinking that feeds naturally into HPQ and EPQ research projects.