Stand out in the crowd with the AQA
Bacc
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is the AQA Bacc?
A qualification that helps you stand out from the
crowd, and gives you the recognition you
deserve for your extra-curricular activities.
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is the AQA Bacc?
•
•
•
•
Building on your
A-levels
Broadening your study
Completing the
extended project
• Recording your
AQA
Bacc
Broader Study
Enrichment
Activities
Extended
Project
One AS-level from
a choice of
subjects*, to
develop analytical
thinking and
learning skills
Community
participation,
work-related
learning and
personal
development
Independent
learning via a
self-managed
project
enrichment activities
From 2014, you can take Citizenship, General Studies,
Critical Thinking, Science in Society (AQA) or World
*From
2011, you(WJEC).
can take Citizenship, General Studies,
Development
Critical Thinking, Science in Society (AQA) or World
Development (WJEC).
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Recognised, academic study in-depth
3 A-level subjects of your choice
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What do you gain?
• Qualifications and skills
valued by universities and
employers
• Academic knowledge
• Recognition for the
activities you enjoy
• Proof you are resourceful
and independent
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Why is this important?
• ‘We believe that it can be the ‘extras’ that a student
brings to the University, over and above the A-level
results that secure them a place.’
• University of Birmingham
• ‘They [the university] seemed interested and when I
applied I got a letter asking for more info about AQA
Bacc and the Extended Project. It gave me an extra
edge, something else under your belt.’
• Peter, Student, Leeds University
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is depth of study?
•The 3 A-level subjects
of your choice that:
• Suit your interests
• Allow you to gain more
in-depth knowledge in the
subjects you’ve chosen
• Help you progress to work
or University
AQA
Bacc
Broader Study
Enrichment
Activities
Extended
Project
One AS-level from
a choice of
subjects, to
develop analytical
thinking and
learning skills
Community
participation,
work-related
learning and
personal
development
Independent
learning via a
self-managed
project
Recognised, academic study in-depth
3 A-level subjects of your choice
Version 1.2
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is broader study?
•General Studies,
Critical Thinking or
Citizenship at AS-level
•Development of your
analytical thinking skills
across a range of
disciplines
AQA
Bacc
Broader Study
Enrichment
Activities
Extended
Project
One AS-level from
a choice of
subjects*, to
develop analytical
thinking and
learning skills
Community
participation,
work-related
learning and
personal
development
Independent
learning via a
self-managed
project
Recognised, academic study in-depth
•*From 2011, students can take Science in Society (AQA) or World
Development (WJEC).
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3 A-level subjects of your choice
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Why is this important?
•‘We feel that the AS-levels in Critical Thinking,
Citizenship and General Studies provide the
opportunity for students to evidence generic
skills and knowledge which can be transferred
to higher education study.’
•University of Sheffield
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is the extended project?
The EPQ is an
opportunity for you to
complete a project on a
topic of your choice
• Develop your
independent planning,
research, evaluation
and presentation skills
AQA
Bacc
Broader Study
Enrichment
Activities
Extended
Project
One AS-level from
a choice of
subjects, to
develop analytical
thinking and
learning skills
Community
participation,
work-related
learning and
personal
development
Research and
write to your
own schedule
on a topic of
your choice
Recognised, academic study in-depth
3 A-level subjects of your choice
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What does the extended project involve?
• Choosing your own topic
• Planning, researching and
carrying out a project*
• Recording your activities
• Preparing and delivering a
presentation
• Reviewing and evaluating
your outcome
eg Winter Ted – an animation about a teddy bear in winter
trying to get a scarf
* Your finished project can be an academic essay, a production or an artefact (such as a piece of art)
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What does the extended project
involve?
• ‘My extended project was on space travel because I want to
be astronaut… this was brilliant because I can’t study this in
college, it’s what I want to do and it was fun researching what
I love.’
• Rachael Harrison, Student
• The Extended Project ‘was a really good experience and a
huge challenge...at school you know a few facts about lots of
different subjects, but to really learn about something – you
feel almost like an expert in it.’
• Ali Stone, Student, Aylesbury High
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Why is this important?
•‘We welcome the introduction of the extended project and would encourage
you to undertake one as it will help you develop independent study and
research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher
education.’
•University of Cambridge
•“Qualifications taken in addition to your main exams, such as the Extended
Project, will improve your application by enabling you to develop skills that will
be useful in higher education study…we encourage applicants to take them
and to note them on their application forms”.
•University of Birmingham
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What is enrichment?
AQA
•Everything you do
outside your academic
studies…all the extracurricular activities like
sport and volunteering!
Bacc
Broader Study
Enrichment
Activities
Extended
Project
One AS-level from
a choice of
subjects, to
develop analytical
thinking and
learning skills
Community
participation,
work-related
learning and
personal
development
Independent
learning via a
self-managed
project
Recognised, academic study in-depth
3 A-level subjects of your choice
Version 1.2
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
What does enrichment involve?
• Activities you enjoy:
•Core areas of enrichment:
• Are you planning on doing
any work experience?
• Do you participate in
community activities or
volunteer?
• Do you play a sport, an
instrument or are you
involved in the Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award?
•Work-related learning
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•Community participation
•Personal development
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Why is this important?
• ‘The enrichment element of the AQA Bacc enables students
to demonstrate experience and skills which they have
developed through involvement in activities outside of their
academic study.’
• University of Sheffield
• ‘I did some work… in a primary school. I took small groups of
six children – aged 10 and 11 – and [taught them]…15 minutes
of French; I was teaching them words for colours, animals,
things like that, which I found really fun because obviously I’m
doing languages at University.
• Ali Stone, student, reflecting on her enrichment activities
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
How do you show your enrichment
activities?
•The Enrichment Diary: An online tool that enables
you to record your enrichment activities – anytime
and anywhere!
• Send SMS, sound bite, video
or photo entries
• Get online guidance from
teachers
• Record your achievements
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I’d describe is as being similar to
a social networking site, like
Facebook, but school
orientated… it allows you to
monitor your own progress in the
activities you do.
Matthew, year 12
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The Enrichment Diary
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Lets recap…
• The AQA Bacc:
• Builds on your A-levels and broadens your
study
• Includes the extended project and enrichment
activities
• Provides you with the skills and qualifications
that universities and employers want
• Has been enjoyed by the students who’ve
already achieved the AQA Bacc.
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Ask your teachers today about
doing the AQA Bacc!
Copyright 2010 AQA and its licensors.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)
Registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723)
Registered charity (registered charity number 1073334)
Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX
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Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.