Projects subject update
Autumn 2026
Welcome to our autumn 2026 newsletter
We hope you’ve had a successful 2025/26 academic year and thank you for your support of learners through Project Qualifications. This update offers helpful reminders and resources to support your new and existing cohorts from September 2026.
If any members of your team would like to receive subject-specific updates, they can easily sign up for AQA subject updates, so they’re always informed and part of our community.
Introducing our new Projects Subject Support team
My name is Charlotte Tomlin and I’m the new Subject Lead for Physical Education and Projects here at AQA. I’ve been committed to education for 25 years, starting my career as a teacher of PE then gaining positions as Head of Girls’ PE, Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, Head of PE, Assistant Head and then Deputy Head in charge of Teaching and learning.
I care deeply about education and the crucial role it plays in securing future success. As a senior leader, I’ve seen the high value that Project Qualifications bring to learners; developing a range of skills that can be applied across a full range of subjects. I’m thrilled to be joining the team at AQA and am committed to continuing to support and promote Project Qualifications in every way possible.
I’m also really pleased to introduce my new PE and Projects Subject Support Manager, Lucy Jones. Lucy has spent the past 12 years working in education as a PE teacher, Lead practitioner for Teaching and Learning and PE Middle Leader. More recently, Lucy has gained experience in the EdTech sector, where she has spent the last two years developing resources including an online learning platform to support schools across the UK and internationally. Lucy is excited to use this experience to help develop support for the Project Qualifications here at AQA. She will bring her experience and passion for helping people work and learn together, supporting schools and educators as we continue to shape the future of Projects.
Lucy and I look forward to meeting and working with you all this new academic year.
Charlotte Tomlin
Subject Lead for Physical Education and Projects
Help shape the future of digital assessment
We’d like to hear about your experiences of digital teaching, learning and assessment through a short survey.
By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us shape the guidance, resources and support teachers need as digital assessment continues to evolve.
The survey contains 24 questions, takes around 12 minutes to complete and closes on 1 November 2026. As a thank you, participants who complete the survey can enter a prize draw for the chance to win one of four £50 gift vouchers.
Curriculum Connect sessions
Join our upcoming Curriculum Connect sessions:
These sessions will explore national trends from the summer 2026 series, alongside key insights from the examiner reports. We’ll also provide a summary of resources and upcoming events to support you throughout the year.
- Exploring summer 2026: Projects (HPQ and FPQ) – Tuesday 13 October, 4pm–5pm
- Exploring summer 2026: Projects (EPQ) – Thursday 22 October, 4pm–5pm
Community links
University resources
You can find links to EPQ projects resources created by universities on our website.
University of York Teachers and Advisers virtual EPQ conference supported by AQA and University of Leeds EPQ Teachers’ Conference 2026
Two excellent events were hosted in the summer term by the University of York (online) and the University of Leeds (face to face) respectively. Both conferences benefitted from sessions where schools shared best practice and answered questions on their approach to EPQ and HPQ delivery. There was also strong messaging about the value that universities are placing on the Project Qualifications, EPQ in particular. They recognise the core skills of academic integrity, research and project management that EPQ fosters. Both York and Leeds are offering reduced entry requirements for some undergraduate courses they offer, to students who have completed the EPQ.
University of Southampton EPQ support programme
The University of Southampton's Learn with US Transition programme supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in the EPQ and prepare for higher education. Their programme includes a taught EPQ skills curriculum and Campus Research Days, giving students the opportunity to strengthen their research, academic writing, critical thinking and presentation skills while experiencing life at a research-intensive university. The taught skills programme is part of their widening participation work and is offered to selected schools and colleges that meet their participation criteria, with the aim of raising attainment and supporting students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. Their Campus Research Days are open to all schools and colleges delivering the EPQ, providing students with access to university facilities, guidance from higher education staff and an immersive day of independent research on campus.
To find out more about either opportunity, please contact learnwithus@soton.ac.uk or use their booking form.
CREST award
Learners (usually Y13) who have already completed their EPQ can gain further accreditation through CREST. There’s a small fee for entry, but students can adapt their completed EPQ projects (typically STEM focused) to also fulfil this award and gain further recognition. More information here: CREST Gold Award.
Association of Colleges’ Inspiring Project Award, sponsored by AQA
There is still time to nominate a student for the Association of Colleges' Inspiring Project Award, sponsored by AQA. This is part of their Student of the Year Awards which are an annual celebration of achievements.
This award celebrates the most interesting, exciting and inspirational student research projects from Higher and Extended Project Qualifications. Applications for this specific award close on Monday 14 September. For full rules for this award, visit the AoC website.
Available resources
You can find a range of resources on the planning, teaching and assessment resources area of our website, including:
ProjectQ
As an AQA centre, you have free access to ProjectQ Project Q is designed to support you in delivering all Project qualifications. It helps you see your learners clearly on one platform, making managing multiple projects simple.
Project Q is the market-leading Project qualifications management platform, designed to simplify the administration of Project qualifications. It’s now free to AQA customers.
To help you understand the benefits of ProjectQ you can find an introductory video here. There’s also the Getting started with ProjectQ and Get the most out of ProjectQ user guides on our website.
Signing up
- Visit projectq.co/orders-and-renewals and select the AQA order form
- Send your completed form to accounts@crm.projectq.co
- Account set up is fast (usually the following working day) and coordinator login details will be emailed to the teacher contact you’ve provided.
Get more with MyAQA
myAQA gives you access to everything you need to plan, teach and assess, including our secure extranet – Centre Services. Here you’ll find essential resources, such as the latest past papers, as well as Teacher Online Standardisation (T-OLS) and much more.
Don’t have a myAQA account yet? Complete a short form to get started. Once your Exams Officer has verified your registration, then you’re ready to go.
Transform your teaching through examining
Whether you're looking to enhance your CPD, gain a fresh perspective on assessment or bring new ideas and insights back to the classroom, examining can have a lasting impact on your teaching and career. By seeing real student responses from across the country and understanding how marks are gained and lost, you'll develop valuable insights that can help you prepare learners more effectively, while building your professional credibility and experience.
Apply to become an examiner today or join one of our free online taster events to discover what the role involves and hear from experienced examiners.
Teacher online standardisation (T-OLS)
Make sure that your learners are on the right track to meet the demands of the non-exam assessment (NEA) for Level 1 and Level 2 Project Qualifications. Take a look at our Teacher online standardisation on Centre Services to make sure you’re familiar with the requirements of the NEA and the marking standard.
EPQ standardisation training
We have a range of teacher standardisation events available to support the delivery and assessment of EPQ:
- EPQ teacher standardisation (face-to-face) – November 2026 series
- EPQ teacher standardisation (online session 1 of 2) – November 2026 series
- EPQ teacher standardisation (online session 2 of 2) – November 2026 series
FPQ (Foundation) and HPQ (Higher) standardisation
This is available through T-OLS on Centre Services.
e-Learning
We also have a range of different e-learning courses available to you, including:
- What makes a good supervisor?
- Understanding and applying the assessment objectives and criteria
- What’s required to deliver the extended Project Qualifications
- What’s expected of a centre coordinator
- Understanding artefact projects
- Safeguarding in project qualifications
- How to use the production log
Coordinator and Supervisor training
Projects: Level 1 and 2 Coordinator training
A complete overview of the co-ordinator's role for coordinators of Projects Level 1 and 2 only, this session considers schedule delivery and the areas in which coordinators may need support and guidance.
This course is for co-ordinators of Projects Level 1 and 2 only (this training isn’t suitable for coordinators of EPQ projects).
This course is for those who need guiding or refreshing on the principles and responsibilities of being a centre coordinator.
Projects: EPQ Coordinator training
This course outlines Centre Coordinator responsibilities and provides information required to manage the EPQ within your centre. Example materials will be used to explore best practice. Completion of this course will provide an understanding of excellence, in terms of the role of Centre Coordinator.
Projects: EPQ Supervisor training
This course outlines supervisor responsibilities within a centre using example material to explore best practice.
Student Advisory Group recruitment for 2026/27
Help your learners influence the future of exams
We’re looking for learners to join our Student Advisory Group for 2026/27. The group gives young people a direct opportunity to share their experiences and views on qualifications, assessments and the wider exam system. Their insights will help shape the future of the curriculum, qualifications and assessments for young people, as well as our work to offer new vocational qualifications.
If you know any learners who may be interested, please encourage them to apply – we’re looking for students who have taken AQA qualifications, though this is not essential, and they can be sitting general or vocational qualifications.
Applications open: Monday 7 September 2026
Applications close: 5.00pm on Monday 21 September 2026
Thank you for helping us raise awareness of this opportunity among your learners. For more information about the Student Advisory Group and details on how to apply, please visit our website.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within assessments
Read the latest JCQ guidance on the use of AI in assessments in the AI in assessments: protecting the integrity of qualifications document. The guidance explains how AI can be used appropriately in assessments and outlines the requirements for reporting suspected misuse.
Results and post-results
We’re keen to support schools and colleges post results in September and beyond. Here is a useful link to remind you of what's available when and our post-results services, processes and deadlines.
Examiner reports
As you look ahead to supporting future cohorts with their exam preparation, remember to make use of the examiner reports (Reports on the exam) available for each component of the specification. Published on results days, these provide insightful commentary from our Lead Examiners, based on a wide range of student responses; a valuable resource for planning and teaching.
The reports highlight common strengths, misconceptions and areas where students struggled in previous summer series, making them a valuable tool for shaping your teaching and helping students understand what examiners are looking for.
We encourage you to refer to these when guiding students, as they can help clarify expectations and boost exam confidence. See more on Centre Services.
EPQ digital upload from November 2026
From November, you’re hopefully aware that you’ll submit Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to us digitally. The deadline for submission is Thursday 5 November 2026. We ask schools and colleges to upload their sample files to Centre Services within three days of submitting marks, or at the latest within three days of the mark submission deadline.
This means that for the November 2026 series onwards, you’ll use Centre Marks Submission on Centre Services to submit your EPQ samples – the same place where you submit your EPQ marks – you do not need to send us audio, visual and documentation by post on a CD or memory stick.
In early July we hosted a live Curriculum Connect on the EPQ digital submission for November 2026. For those unable to attend we’ll provide a recorded version on the website. As soon as this becomes available we’ll let you know.
You can find general guidance about the online submission process and FAQs on our website. This guidance applies to all NEA/coursework components that have already moved to online submission, including FPQ and HPQ.
NEA advisers
For subjects with non-exam assessment, it’s likely you’ll have an NEA adviser. Advisers are experienced teachers and moderators who can provide guidance throughout the academic year on delivering NEA. Find out more about AQA NEA advisers.
Adviser contact details are available on Centre Services from mid-September, so please check back then, as their contact details may have changed from last year. If you don’t have an assigned adviser, please contact us.
Stay connected
Whatever your question, our Subject Support team is here to help.
Email: projects@aqa.org.uk
Call: 0161 957 3980, Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.
Book a Free at 3? session with your AQA Projects specialist.